The ACT Brumbies kept alive their Super 14 playoff hopes with a 52-13 thumping of the Queensland Reds in their Australian derby match yesterday.
The Brumbies routed the hapless Reds with seven tries to claim a scoring bonus point and continue their 14-year dominance over the Reds with a 14th victory from 15 Super rugby matches.
The win put the Canberra-based side equal with the New South Wales Waratahs and the Canterbury Crusaders on 32 points, on the fringe of the playoff positions with two rounds left to play.
It was a startling turnaround for the Brumbies, who were smashed 56-7 by the Wellington Hurricanes in their worst-ever performance last weekend.
It was a wretched night for the Reds, who lost playmaker Berrick Barnes before the kick off with a groin strain in the warm-up and their skipper and Wallaby lock James Horwill with an ankle injury in the second half.
Without Barnes, Queensland lacked the tactical nous to make the most of their opportunities, while they also lacked the urgency and intensity of the previous week’s upset of the Auckland Blues.
Skipper and No. 8 Stephen Hoiles scored two tries for the Brumbies, while Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock, playing on the wing, kicked seven conversions and a penalty.
Ahead 10-3 after half an hour, the Brumbies blew the game open with two tries in five minutes to lead 24-3 at halftime.
The Brumbies face a must-win match against the Auckland Blues in Canberra next week, while the Reds face a tough assignment and will be playing for pride against seven-time winners the Crusaders.
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