Brumbies exact sweet revenge
February 23, 2001

A hat-tick of tries by Wallaby flanker Owen Finegan has guided the ACT Brumbies to a 51-16 Super 12 rout over Crusaders to avenge their one-point loss against the three-time premiers in last year's final.

The Brumbies ran in six tries to one, with Finegan picking up a pair of five-pointers in the opening period and then joining winger Joe Roff and flanker George Smith in breaking through the Crusaders defence in the second half.
Replacement centre Graeme Bond rubbed salt in the wound when he picked up an intercept and sprinted 95 metres to score as the fulltime siren sounded.

The Brumbies began slowly as South African referee Andre Watson rigidly enforced new season tackle and obstruction rules to the chagrin of both teams as well as the Bruce Stadium crowd of almost 20,000.

But the competition favorites began to throw the ball wide in the second period to complete their demolition of the Crusaders, which were not helped by the sin-binning of flanker Reuben Thorne for a dangerous tackle on Brumbies lock Justin Harrison.
ACT centre Stirling Mortlock picked up 18 points with the boot, while Brumbies skipper George Gregan slotted home a career-first field goal in the first half.

Despite a late attacking flurry which resulted in Crusaders prop Greg Somerville crossing out wide, the visitors were let down by a lack of fitness on a sultry Canberra evening.
Fullback Ben Blair was on target with three penalties for Canterbury, while replacement No.10 Aaron Maugher slotted home a conversion. (AAP)

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