The Plus500 Brumbies have defeated the Melbourne Rebels 39-26 in their round two Super Rugby clash at GIO Stadium, their tenth victory in a row at home.
The home side came out of the blocks firing in the opening minutes of the match and were soon rewarded with the opening try, after Irae Simone threw a superb dummy to put himself over the Rebels’ try line five minutes into the half.
Lolesio's was an absolute magic offload 😲👏
— FOX SPORTS Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) February 7, 2020
📺 Stream #SuperRugby on Kayo: https://t.co/srZbAcJls8
Live blog 📝: https://t.co/i6NlCXhBVx pic.twitter.com/T5k6sm3Qxs
It didn't take long for the home side to score their second, after Brumbies number 10 Noah Lolesio provided a slick flick pass to fullback Tom Banks for another five-pointer in the 12th minute.
This was Banks’ 100th point in Super Rugby.The Brumbies then continued to dominate, holding 85% of possession in the opening 15 minutes of play.
It's all @BrumbiesRugby at the moment‼️ First for the year for Cusack 👏
— FOX SPORTS Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) February 7, 2020
📺 Stream #SuperRugby on Kayo: https://t.co/srZbAcJls8
Live blog 📝: https://t.co/i6NlCXhBVx pic.twitter.com/7GUPUJ9X8A
The home side's third try came through Tom Cusack in the 24th minute, with the fourth soon to follow after a pinpoint kick from Lolesio found Solomone Kata in the right-hand corner three minutes later, with the new recruit scoring his first five-pointer in Super Rugby.
ICYMI: Quality try from Solomone Kate 👏
— FOX SPORTS Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) February 7, 2020
📺 Stream #SuperRugby on Kayo: https://t.co/srZbAcJls8
Live blog 📝: https://t.co/i6NlCXhBVx pic.twitter.com/oX5tFu6Rea
However, the Rebels did breach the Brumbies defence three minutes before half-time through Angus Cottrell, which saw the Brumbies take a 24-7 lead into the break.
Cottrell then crossed the line again once play resumed, with the Rebels beginning to gain some momentum.
Despite the Rebels beginning to force themselves into the match, it was Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a who was next score.
Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty gave the Brumbies a scare after forcing his way through a gap with pure speed, to see the score locked at 31-21 with 20 minutes to go.
However, Lolesio decided to take matters into his own hands, kicking a drop goal from in front to steer momentum back to the Brumbies in the 65th victory. The Brumbies playmaker capped off a super match, finishing with two try assists and nine points in total.
Tom Wright soon scored down the left wing for the Brumbies with 13 minutes remaining, ensuring victory to the home side.
The win sees the Brumbies two wins from two to start the year and will now have all eyes focused on next Saturday's showdown against the Highlanders.
Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "We knew they were going to come out firing so we just had to make sure we’d come out and do the same and I thought we did that."
"Our execution was outstanding, we managed to put pressure on them through the territory and had a good start.
"They’re good side full of internationals and came back at us but we managed to regain momentum and finish the game off."
Plus500 Brumbies 39 (Tries: Simone, Banks, Cusack, Kata, Fainga'a, Wright; Conversions: Lolesio 3; Drop Goal: Lolesio) def Melbourne Rebels 26 (Tries: Cottrell (2), Haylett-Petty, Lomani; Conversions: To'omua 1, Lomani 2)
The Plus500 Brumbies will take on the Highlanders in round three at GIO Stadium next Saturday night at 7:15pm. The Brumbies Super W side will also kick off their campaign next Saturday as part of a double header beginning at 4:35pm. Tickets available here.
