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Big scoreline flatters Brumbies in win over Moana Pasifika
By AAP
The ACT Brumbies have flexed their defensive muscle to notch a much harder-earned 24-0 Super Rugby Pacific victory over Moana Pasifika than the scoreline suggests.
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Try-scoring doubles to fleet-footed winger Corey Toole and replacement hooker Billy Pollard ultimately secured the Brumbies back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
For almost an hour, though, Saturday’s match in Pukekohe seemed destined to finish as the lowest-scoring affair in Super Rugby’s 30-year history.
The first points weren’t posted until the 41st minute after both sides had players held up over the line either side of Moana winger Fine Inise having a try overturned by the TMO for a lineout infringement in the lead-up.
But Toole showcased his lightning speed to pounce on an Andy Muirhead chip kick in a spectacular counter-attacking play 30 seconds after the halftime siren had sounded.
The heartbreaker took the wind out of Moana’s sails after the home team had enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory as well as a one-man advantage for 10 minutes of the opening stanza after Brumbies lock Tom Hooper was yellow-carded.
Pollard’s first of two driving maul tries in the 55th minute ensured the Highlanders’ 6-0 win over the Crusaders in 2009 remains the lowest aggregate total of points for a Super Rugby match in any version of the competition.
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He jagged a second – and his sixth for 2025 – to give the Brumbies an unbeatable 17-0 lead, before Toole dived over in the corner late following some brilliant work from replacement scrumhalf Harrison Goddard and fullback Tom Wright.
Fine Inisi Moana Pasifika winger Fine Inisi had a try overturned in the side’s loss to the Brumbies. (Brett Phibbs/AAP PHOTOS)
Ironically, the dour contest on New Zealand’s North Island came after the Brumbies piled on 122 points in their previous two 60-21 and 62-36 wins over Moana.
Making victory even more sweeter was the Brumbies shutting out the competition’s leading point-scorers, just two weeks after the Pasifika ran in six second-half tries to swamp the NSW Waratahs in Auckland.
“It’s definitely really pleasing to come out here in Pukekohe and put on a performance like that against a tough Moana side in front of their passionate fans,” said jubilant Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa.
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“I think the most pleasing part was to keep this side to zero points with attacking flair.
“So there’s a lot of pride shown out there by our boys and I’m just really proud of the effort.”
The victory shot the Brumbies up to second on the ladder ahead of a home game next Saturday against the Hurricanes.
Playing down his latest try-scoring double, Pollard paid tribute to the other Brumbies “finishers” including veteran prop James Slipper, who dominated the scrum battle after being thrust into the action in the second half.
“To be honest, I really don’t do much at the back (of the maul). It’s more all the forwards and I just get lucky out in the end, but it’s always nice and I’ll claim it,” Pollard said.
“Their bench is one of the best, if not the best, in the comp so to come on and try and just nullify with what they were doing was really important for us,” Pollard said.
“We spoke at halftime as a bench just to make sure that we come on and everyone nails their jobs and I suppose just nail your role too.”
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