The Plus500 Brumbies have started their 2020 campaign on the best possible note with two trial wins over the Melbourne Rebels at Greenfield Park in Albury.
The first match saw the young Brumbies and Melbourne side go all the way down to the wire, with a penalty with the last kick of the game sealing a win for the Canberra-based side.
Game two was similarly tight in the first half before the Plus500 Brumbies ran away with a 45-14 win in the second stanza.
Coach Dan McKellar said: "We'll keep pretty grounded, it was a trial game. We've beaten the Rebels three times in trials and haven't gone on with it during the Super Rugby season."
"It was pleasing, we've come through unscathed, a few bumps and bruises but we got some good minutes in the boys and it was a good hit out.
"We're really looking forward to getting into our preparations for round one next Friday and putting on a good performance against the Reds in front of our home crowd at GIO Stadium."
Game Two
Game Two featured a number Wallabies, with the Plus500 Brumbies coming away with a resounding 45-14 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
Although it was a trial, both sides played the game at ferocious intensity, with Super Rugby being just around the corner and the scratch contest serving as the teams’ only chance of fine tuning ahead of round one.
It was a tense and cagey opening 40 minutes, the Brumbies and Rebels trading a try a piece but neither side asserting any real dominance.
Towering lock, Murray Douglas got the Brumbies first five-pointer, clawing his way over from short range with lock partner Darcy Swain rocketing him over. Noah Lolesio adding the extra two points off the boot.
The Rebels responded with a well taken try down the sideline from Wallabies flyer Marika Koroibete, with Reece Hodge adding the extras to see the score 7-all at the break.
After half time, it was the Brumbies pack who started to get on top and although the rolling maul didn’t bring the points, Scott Sio was on hand to rumble over. Lolesio’s boot again was sweet, putting the Brumbies back in front 14-7.
The Rebels responded once again, and brought the trial back level but as the game entered the final quarter, the Brumbies started to asert their dominance.
Winger, Toni Pulu’s try was followed by two sensational scores from his fellow speedster, Andy Muirhead.
2020 recruit Cadeyrn Neville was next to cross the line, the rangy lock stepping his was past the Rebels defence.
Finally, it was fullback Mack Hansen backing up from Game One, who completed the scoring, pouncing on a loose ball and sprinting 70-metres to score.
Plus500 Brumbies 45 (Tries: Douglas, Sio, Pulu, Muirhead 2, Neville, Hansen; Conversions: Lolesio 2, Kuenzle 2, Lonergan) def Melbourne Rebels 14 (Tries: Koroibete, Tikoirtuma; Conversions: Hodge, Deegan)
Game One
The Plus500 Brumbies kicked off 2020 in brilliant fashion, in a style they became famous for last year.
A perfectly executed rolling maul saw hooker Lachlan Lonergan cross the line, and the rapid rake was at it again 10 minutes later this time in open play, although the Rebels did manage to grab a five-pointer of their own in between Lonergan’s double.
Flyhalf, Bayley Kuenzle, who skippered the side, converted the Brumbies second try, before adding a five-pointer of his own just before the break. The Royals playmaker scooping up a loose ball and running it home from 20-metres out.
Melbourne were looking for a response and were camped inside the Brumbies half but another turnover saw Academy star, Tom Haddad in space.
The Gungahlin youngster found his Eagles teammate Mack Hansen, who popped the ball to another Eagle in Issak Fines, with the former Force halfback racing away for a classic counter-attack score.
Kuenzle’s extras made it 26-5 in favour of the Brumbies, heading into the break.
The Rebels came out firing in the second period, clawing their way back into the contest with three unanswered tries.
The Brumbies responded and got their scoring going again with a brilliant break by hooker Billy Pollard, the replacement finding his Australian Schools teammate, Lachie Albert, who dived over for the try.
Still, Melbourne weren’t out of the game and with time dwindling, the home side levelled things up.
But with just a minute remaining, the Brumbies had to act fast to avoid the draw, having held such a commanding lead at half time.
Attacking the Rebels line, the Brumbies managed to force a penalty and as the final hooter sounded, Academy flyhalf Isaac Henry slotted home the winning points.
Plus500 Brumbies: 34 (Tries: Lonergan 2, Kuenzle, Fines, Albert; Conversions: Kuenzle 3; Penalty Goals: Henry) def Melbourne Rebels: 31
The Plus500 Brumbies will kick-off their 2020 Super Rugby season against the Reds at GIO Stadium next Friday at the earlier time of 7:15pm. Tickets available here.
