1
Rob Valetini stars as Brumbies dominate Highlanders in playoff win
By AAP
The ACT Brumbies have surged into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals to secure a date with destiny against the high-flying Blues in Auckland.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Brumbies converted a one-point halftime lead into an authoritative 32-16 victory over the Highlanders in Saturday night’s fourth and last quarter-final.
Victory completed an undefeated home campaign with a perfect 10-from-10 record at GIO Stadium in 2024.
But their reward is a dubious one.
Stephen Larkham’s benchmark Australian outfit must beat the Blues away from their home fortress for the first time in more than a decade to keep their hopes of snapping a 20-year title drought alive.
The Blues have not only won the past five encounters between the two sides at Australian rugby’s historical burial ground since 2013, but also thrashed the Brumbies 46-7 in a record-setting victory at Eden Park last time around in April.
But that’s tomorrow’s problem as the Brumbies celebrate Saturday night’s second-half shut-out of the Highlanders.
The hosts had stars across the park but no one was more influential than reigning John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini, who was enormous at the breakdown and typically powerful with ball in hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Highlanders had opened the scoring with a second-minute penalty goal from Cameron Millar following a Brumbies scrum infringement.
But the Brumbies proceeded to dominate for most of the first half, with centre Len Ikitau and speedy winger Corey Toole both going close to scoring off Tom Wright kicks.
It seemed only a matter of time before the Highlanders yielded and there was no denying Andy Muirhead in the 15th minute when the Brumbies spread the ball beautifully from the left all the way across to the right winger to finish.
Only Brumbies ill-discipline and turnovers kept the Highlanders in the contest as two more Millar penalty goals nudged the visitors into a 9-7 lead.
ADVERTISEMENT
Noah Lolesio wrestled the advantage back briefly with a Brumbies penalty goal, only for the Highlanders to strike back with a try to winger Jona Nareki.
After four lead changes, the Brumbies deservedly had the final say of the half when hard-working hooker Billy Pollard crashed his way over to give the home side a 17-16 buffer at the break.
If the result was in doubt after Pollard bagged his second early in the second half, it didn’t look so when classy winger Muirhead showed Lionel Messi-like dribbling skills to complete his own double off a Lolesio cross-field kick in the 46th minute to extend the Brumbies’ lead to 13 points.
It was certainly all over when Lolesio slotted a second penalty to finish the night’s scoring – and the Highlanders’ season.
“Very pleased. We definitely knew that it was going to be a tough game against the Highlanders,” said Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa.
“They’re are a very physical side and they showed that throughout the whole game.
“Finals footy is all about taking your chances, and I thought we did that in the second half.”
The Brumbies face the Blues in the first semi-final on Friday night.
Minor premiers the Hurricanes will play the Chiefs in the second semi-final in Wellington on Saturday, with the winners to host the 2024 title match.
Highlanders didn’t need to be up against 16 but they just couldn’t step it up a gear in the second half.
Sucks losing their starting midfield for the game but if they can keep the back three and Tele’a, maybe get someone like Frizzel back, add a title more depth in the tight with spare tryos Slater or Thompson from the Chiefs, hope for an upgrade of DLB, and you could have an infinitely stronger Highlanders next year.
So basically a major revamp 😂