Brumbies storm past Reds
ACT Brumbies crushed Queensland Reds 43-11 in Canberra to maintain their dominance over their fellow countrymen in the Super 14.
Last Updated: 01/03/08 11:56am
ACT Brumbies crushed Queensland Reds 43-11 in Canberra to maintain their dominance over their fellow countrymen in the Super 14.
The Brumbies scored five second-half tries to secure a bonus point and ensure that the Queenslanders are still winless in the nation's capital.
The Reds struggled to penetrate their hosts' defensive line, while the Brumbies, with a host of run-on debutants because of injury problems, put in a solid display of attacking rugby.
The Brumbies suffered an early setback when experienced fullback Julian Huxley was stretchered off with injury, but they were able to open the scoring thanks to Huxley's replacement, Peter Playford.
Playford made a break out wide and passed inside to Mark Gerrard, who did well to reel in a looping ball before scoring the try. Gerrard added the extras to give the home side a seven-point buffer after eight minutes.
Gerrard punished ill-discipline from the Reds with a penalty in the 17th minute, but Reds winger Clinton Schifcofske cancelled it out with a penalty of his own midway through the half.
In the 32nd minute, Brumbies winger Francis Fainifo was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Reds playmaker Berrick Barnes, but the Reds failed to capitalise on their man advantage before the break.
Deficit
In fact, it wasn't until Fainifo returned to the field that Queensland could reduce the deficit, through another penalty to Schifcofske.
However, the Brumbies stretched their lead back out to 11 points with their second try of the match, ten minutes into the second half.
Lock Mark Chisholm was the scorer when he sneaked away with the ball after it popped out of the ruck, catching the Reds' defence off guard.
Chisholm then scored his second try in the 58th minute, twisting his way out of a tackle before palming off James Horwill to cross on the back of several phases of attack. Gerrard's conversion made it 24-6.
Reserve prop Ben Alexander then secured the bonus point with a try on debut, forcing himself over the line amid a sea of bodies with 10 minutes remaining.
Reds captain John Roe did grab a consolation try, but the last word went to the Brumbies as Stephen Hoiles ran in two more tries in the final minutes.
