The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have shown their prowess at GIO Stadium on Saturday evening to claim a hard-fought 28-20 victory over the Fijian Drua.
Getting on the board early was the Brumbies, claiming another strong home advantage through barnstorming centre Len Ikitau making light work of the Drua defence after being given the ball quickly found its way to him from the ruck thanks to Harrison Goddard. Noah Lolesio also found his way onto the scoresheet quickly in the match after converting Ikiitau's try.
Just two minutes later, Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa would remind the home crowd of his dominance in just his second game back for the season. The prop managed to get into a one-on-one effort close to Drua's line after Rob Valentini and Jahrome Brown combined to deliver to pass to their captain. Then converted by Lolesio the Brumbies would lead 14-0 after the 9th minute of play.
The home side would then show off their seemingly impenetrable defences at the fortress as despite numerous flashy attacking efforts from the Fijians the Brumbies were able to turn away the side time and time again for the next 26 minutes.
The Drua would finally make their mark on the scoreboard in the 35th minute as the visitors decided to take the option for a penalty goal through flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
Not to be outdone, the Brumbies would almost immediately strike back in the 36th minute as Ikitau would pick up a try double after running onto a perfectly weighted grubber by Tamati Tua kicked 22 metres away from the tryline. Keeping his perfect record off the boot, Lolesio would convert to bring the score to 21-3.
On the brink of halftime the drum would finally secure their first five-pointer of the night through Isoa Nasilasila finding his way across the Brumbies line after a successful line out and maul from the visitors.
To start the second half, the Drua were looking extremely dangerous as they would cross the line in the 46th minute for what would eventually be a disallowed try. The close call however put the home side on notice and gave their defence a much needed boost for a tough battle ahead.
Continuing their strong opening to the second half the Drua would retain possession in close range to the Brumbies line causing a desperate Harry Vella to make a last ditch defensive effort and subsequently be handed a yellow card.
Finally capitalising on their mountain of good territory with the ball in hand, the Drua managed to push through the Brumbies line through Simione Kuruvoli finding his way into the left corner in the 50th minute. Converted by Armstrong-Ravula the score would be locked at 21-17 with 30 minutes remaining to play.
Later in the 67th minute Brumbies enforcer Luke Reimer took on four Fijians close to their line and managed to come out the winner securing a try for his side, converted by Noah Lolesio the Brumbies held a 28-17 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
Taking any opportunity to stay in range of a win, the Drua took another successful shot at a penalty goal with Armstrong-Ravula adding another 3 points to the Drua's final tally as the score would remain 28-20 to the Brumbies at the final siren.
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 28 (Tries: Len Ikitau 2, Allan Alaalatoa, Luke Reimer; Conversions: Noah Lolesio 3) def Fijian Drua 20 (Tries: Isoa Nasilasila, Simione Kuruvoli; Conversions: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2; Penalty Goals: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2)
