The Plus500 Brumbies have defeated the Western Force 27-11 at HBF Park in Perth in a clinical display by the defending Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU champions.
Some stout defence mixed in with a couple cracking tries saw the Brumbies run home as winners despite an impressive performance from the home side.
Indeed, it was the Force who got the scoring going, skipper Ian Prior kicking the first of his two penalty goals on the night.
Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio levelled the scoring from the tee but wasn’t satisfied with points from the boot, the second-year playmaker slicing home for his first Super Rugby try off a sumptuous seed from his halves partner Nic White.
Lolesio would add a second penalty to his ledger, giving the Brumbies a 13-6 lead heading into the break.
The visitors then struck brilliantly after half-time, Len Ikitau turning the Force inside out and offloading to his centre partner Irae Simone who strolled home for the Brumbies second try.
Not beaten, the Force continued to barge at the door, but the Brumbies defence was up to the task and after some slick hands down the right wing, replacement Issak Fines-Leleiwasa put the finishing touches on the Brumbies win with a brilliant finish and putdown.
The Force would add a try at the death, denying the Brumbies a bonus point but it was the defending champions night in the end, the visitors spoiling the Perth party, 27-11.
The Brumbies now look forward to their first home game of the 2021 season, welcoming the NSW Waratahs to GIO Stadium on next Saturday night.
Plus500 Brumbies 27 (T: Lolesio, Simone, Fines-Leleiwasa; C: Lolesio 3, P Lolesio 2) def Western Force 11 (T: Cubelli; P: Prior 2)
The Plus500 Brumbies will play the NSW Waratahs in Round Two of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU at GIO Stadium in Canberra next Saturday night at 7:45pm AEDT. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport and free to air on 9Gem.
