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Brumbies player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
To finish off round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific the Brumbies welcomed the Hurricanes to GIO Stadium in Canberra for Sunday afternoon rugby.
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The Brumbies welcomed back Tom Banks in the fifteen jersey after recovering from a facial injury sustained in round six and he was instrumental in the 42-25 victory.
The Brumbies built their lead early by taking points away from all of their trips inside the Hurricanes territory. The Hurricanes stayed in the game, with the Brumbies heading into the half only three points ahead.
It was an arm-wrestle for most of the second half, but a dominant performance from the Brumbies back row set the platform for a Brumbies blitz as they ran in four tries to seal the match.
Here’s how the Brumbies rated:
1. Scott Sio – 6.5/10
The veteran prop’s purple patch of form continues. Was asked to make a lot of carries and made metres after contact. Matched up well against Lomax in the scrum battle. Replaced in the 50th minute by Slipper.
2. Lachlan Lonergan – 6
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Was solid throwing at the linout and got around the park like a backrower. Was a recipient of the Brumbies maul machine, scoring from short range in the second half to put the Brumbies ahead. Replaced in the 50th minute
3. Sefo Kautai – 6
Carried hard off the ruck in tight and was solid at scrum time. Fell off some tackles, including a stray jersey grab that allowed Rayasi to slice through. Substituted in the 57th minute.
4. Darcy Swain – 7
Was industrious in defence, working hard around the ruck. Was targeted six in the lineout for the Brumbies and won a Hurricanes lineout against the throw in the 32nd minute. Continues to be the best counter-mauler in the competition, disrupting the Canes on multiple occasions.
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5. Cadeyrn Neville – 6
Got through a mountain of work in both defence and attack, doing the hard work that allowed the Brumbies back row to range out wide. Was involved in every other ruck and made 12 tackles. Replaced by Tom Hooper in the 57th minute
6. Rob Valetini – 8
Made up for an early drop ball off a lineout move but putting in one of his best performances in a Brumbies jersey. Punched holes in the Canes defence all game and was abrasive in every carry. Made 16 tackles. In the 33rd minute he put in a grubber and won the 50-metre horse-race to get enough pressure down on the ball to ground it over the line.
7. Jahrome Brown – 7.5
Was his usual combative self in contact and was dogged in defence, making 12 tackles. Sat down Umuga-Jensen to bounce out of a tackle early in the game. Gave away a cynical penalty for slapping the ball out TJ Perenara hands and was yellow carded. Backed up Tom Wright to score a important try in the 53rd minute.
8. Pete Samu – 6.5
Powered over the advantage line on a number of carries to build momentum for the Brumbies. Was tenacious around the ruck and was targeted in the lineout three times.
9. Nic White – 6.5
Found space around the edges of the ruck to get the Brumbies in behind the Canes defence. Controlled the tempo of the game and used the box-kick effectively to get the Brumbies out of trouble and into Hurricanes territory. Did well to wrestle the ball away from Fainga’a and get it out to Ikitau for Banks’ try. Replaced by Lonergan shortly after.
10. Noah Lolesio – 6
Took the points when they were on offer and built the Brumbies lead early in the match. The radar was working, converting 7 from 8 off the boot. He missed a soft tackle that allowed Rayasi to stroll over for a try early in the second half.
11. Andy Muirhead – 5.5
Made some great textbook tackles and did well to contain Julian Savea. Had limited opportunities with ball in hand but was able to use his quick fit to escape heavy traffic.
12. Irae Simone – 6.5
Was outstanding in organising the Brumbies backline and acting as a second playmaker. Set the line for the backs and covered his channel well in defence, making a team-high 17 tackles. Split the Canes through the middle to set up Jahrome Brown’s try.
13. Len Ikitau – 6.5
Ikitau was influential on defence, and his big shots forced errors from the Canes backline. Saw a glimpse of his immense strength when he carried three Hurricanes defenders as fought to find the grass in the second half.
14. Tom Wright – 6
Supported his fellow outside backs and ran lines that exposed the Canes in the backfield. Made himself a menace at the breakdown and won a crucial turnover in their own 22 to stop an attacking raid from the Canes.
15. Tom Banks – 7
Played up in line and got plenty of touches from fullback. His running lines broke through consistently and he was good in the aerial battle against Barrett. Was on the end of a pass from Ikitau to score in the 57th minute. Was lucky to get away with a suspect charge on Julian Savea late in the match.
Replacements:
16. Folau Fainga’a – 5.5
His first involvement was to break away from the maul and carry it to the line, setting up the Banks try. Had a number of carries but was not able to break through the Canes rush defence, and took some wrong options in attack.
17. James Slipper – 6
Came on and added some power in the scrum. The veteran continues his incredible work rate.
18. Tom Ross – N/A
Gave away a penalty at scrum time to hand possession to the Canes.
19. Tom Hooper – 6.5
Supported his forwards carrying into contact and was there to clear out. At times lost the physical battle when carrying into contact. Managed to make 9 tackles in fifteen minutes.
20. Luke Reimer – 6.5
Was a menace at the breakdown and was rewarded with a crucial turnover late in the game.
21. Ryan Lonergan – 6
Kept the tempo up when he came on the park, providing good service to his outside backs.
22. Hudson Creighton – 5
Came on in the 72nd minute. Barely got across the line in the 77th minute to seal the win for the Brumbies.
23. Ollie Sapsford – N/A
Entered the game in the 70th minute.
