2011 Pacific Rugby Cup - Brumby Runners 29 v Samoa A 13

February 19, 2011 - 6:53pm

The Brumby Runners withstood a late charge from the Samoan A side at Canberra Stadium on Saturday to win 29-13 and continue their 2011 campaign without a loss.

 

The win has projected the Brumby Runners as a major Australian threat having thrashed the Rebels A side at Viking Park the weekend before.

 

The Runners started fast, with big names Peter Kimlin, Tyrone Smith and Michael Hooper making ground over the advantage line from the outset.

 

It wasn’t long after kick-off Smith scored the first try after some quick ball from the Brumby Runners inside backs.

 

While the Samoans were happy to play physical rugby through the forwards, the Brumby Runners capitaised on space towards the flanks making several quick breaks through Jackson Selby and Jesse Mogg.

 

Eventually the Brumby Runners were able to inflict enough pressure to cross the line for two forwards tries to Liam Winton and Anthony Hegarty which skipper Nic White converted.

 

A single penalty goal to veteran Roger Warren kept the Samoans in with a sniff, but heading to the sheds for half-time with a 19-3 lead left the Brumby Runners in a strong position to control the match.

 

The Samoans fielded an uncharacteristically small pack for the Brumby Runners hit out, with their front row being monstered in height and weight by the ACT based outfit.

 

With the Canberra-summer sun bearing down on the rain wet pitch, humidity was high leaving the ball slippery and greasy. This resulted in several handling errors to both teams at the start for the second half, Samoa A working hard in the scrum but coming up short against the likes of Jono Owen, Hegarty and JP Predaud.

 

But the Samoans stabilized to mount pressure resulting in their first try to Pelesiusi Faulau, which was converted by Warren to bring the score back to 19-10.

 

Another penalty to Warren bought the scores closer again, but the Samoan revival was short lived as Kimlin and replacement Vili Iongi crossed to push the final score out to 29-13.

 

The Brumby Runners next match is this Wednesday night at Viking Park when they face Tonga A. The match kicks-off at 6.30pm.

 

BRUMBY RUNNERS29 (T Smith, L Winton, A Hegarty, V Iong tries; N White 2 cons) bt SAMOA A 13 (S Faulau try; R Warren 2 pens, 1 con).