It’s been one hell of a physical fight between Brumbies and Moana Pasifika in the suburban grounds of Pukekohe where nearly the first 40 were being scoreless until the Brumbies launched strike right here, right there on half-time. Meanwhile, Moana unable to counter it up front when a small gap becomes big and Brumbies get to keep their winning run as the clock ticks down towards full-time by only 24-0.
Don’t know what went wrong other than promising start from Moana there when Tana Umaga chose to rest Ardie Savea as the leader in the loose forward 8 – maybe they will want to save it for next Saturday v Drua in Fiji.
Regardless of that, Moana looked so hesitant thinking rain would help them win when their conversion play is a touch isolated, and Brumbies won all of these battles that they couldn’t do themselves.
Do understand the Drua’s home form though whose crowd is always so strong even though their 2025 run isn’t as good as they would’ve liked. But still, we saw a taste test of that earlier today when they defeated the Waratahs at their home ground.
Again, it’s a shame the Tahs don’t have that same tight-five grunt to tame Drua’s ferocious backline pace like it was in previous games including last week v one of the Top 3 teams in Chiefs – seems they were caught off guard until it was too late to catch up later on in that one.
Top 3 players
Rain, hail or shine or even under lights…what else Corey Toole cannot do on the wide left Brumbies 11?
His golden 100m track and field pace on a slippery field got away with back-to-back tries following a physical first 60 odd minutes & no doubt would want the gold medal by winning a Super Rugby title over the best New Zealand team for sure.
Then you’ve got Billy Pollard holding off line-out throws as the reserve 2 every time he turns up on stage to finish off a stunning piece of his own with two tries also & now he will be writing his next album when it comes to his starting Lions selection for the green & gold provided the Brumbies continue to keep on winning.
And Miracle Failangi’s physical punches on the blindside six gave Moana Pasifika every fighting chance considering his excellent performances so far in 2025 but shame these poor selections around him came back to bite them including an incoherent attacking third unfortunately.
