2 weeks Ago By Nick Wasiliev
It was ugly as all hell. But it was sure effective.The Brumbies have reinforced their position at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, defeating Moana Pasifika on a saturated afternoon in Pukekohe.
The visitors picked up a bonus win with three second-half tries, but it their defence that really impressed, the 24-0 scoreline even more impressive given Moana Pasifika’s ability to score in the backend of matches in 2025.Conditions all week meant the pitch was very wet underfoot, with both sides struggling during warm up and in the early stages of the game, with both sides trading territory in the opening 20 minutes, and looking to score tries instead of taking penalties.Early phases however saw a more undisciplined Brumbies side, with repeat infringements seeing Tom Hooper eventually sent to the bin.
More RugbyToole, Bollard star as Brumbies keep Moana Pasifika scoreless in torrid PukekoheChiefs vs Highlanders: Super Rugby Pacific live scoresGleeson stars but Waratahs' winless streak on the road continues as Drua punish NSW in FijiAS IT HAPPENED: Brumbies pick up BP win over scoreless Moana PasifikaAS IT HAPPENED: Drua break losing streak, defeat Waratahs in Lautoka armwrestleRugby It look to have paid off when Julian Savea broke through the Brumbies’ line to put Fine Inisi away for the opening try – until the TMO judged the veteran All Black to have come from an offside position. Brumbies also returned fire immediately, if not for a stunning steal on the tryline by Miracle Faiilagi.Ultimately, Hooper returned to the field with the deadlock still 0-all, with the Brumbies focusing on defence while the hosts attempted to target the breakdown.
The visitors were themselves held up in the 32nd minute, while Patrick Pellegrini also missing a kick in front in the 38th minute to score points of the match.However, before it looked like the sides would go the sheds without a score, Andy Muirhead combined to put Corey Toole away with a stunning long range try, Noah Lolesio struggling with the wind to see the visitors go into the shed up 5-0 – even more impressive considering they went in on the wrong side of poression and territory.Andy Muirhead.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)Moana attempted to finally break the Brumbies with early momentum in the second half, turning down multiple opportunities for penalties to try and score, only for the Brumbies to prevail in the ruck.With the rain returning, the Brumbies turned to their maul and it proved effective, with bench player Billy Pollard scoring off the back in the 54th minute, while James Slipper and Feao Fotuaika saw the visitors start to dominate the scrum.A botched lineout in the 63rd minute was made up for three minutes later, as the Brumbies crossed again through the maul to earn the bonus point win – and while Moana had become accustomed to scoring most of their points in the closing stages of games, their attacking flair was stifled by the weather, the Brumbies dominance of the set piece, and their line defence.
A 73rd-minute second try to Corey Toole put the match beyond doubt for the visitors, and even with Tom Wright sent in the 77th minute for a cynical offence, the hosts couldn’t take advantage.The result sees the Brumbies move up to second, pending the Chiefs’ match against the Highlanders, and return to the Australian capital to play the Hurricanes next week, while Moana Pasifika will host the Fijian Drua next week. Loading.
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