Super Rugby
Brumbies gain grand final revenge
April 25, 2014
Date/Time: Apr 25, 2014, 17:40 local, 07:40 GMT
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Brumbies 41 - 23 Chiefs
Half-time: 13 - 6
Tries: Kuridrani 2, Tomane, Toomua 2
Cons: Leali'ifano, White
Pens: Leali'ifano 2, White 2
Tries: Hohneck, Weber
Cons: Horrell 2
Pens: Anscombe 3
Brumbies scrum-half Nic White is tackled, Brumbies v Chiefs, Super Rugby, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, April 25, 2014
Scrum-half Nic White put in an excellent display for the Brumbies
© Getty Images
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The Brumbies have served the Chiefs a dose of revenge for last year's grand final defeat with a resounding 41-23 bonus point victory at Canberra Stadium.

After an error-riddled arm wrestle of a first half, the Brumbies bucked clear with 18 straight points while Chiefs replacement James Lowe was yellow carded for tripping in the 52nd minute. Doubles to Man-of-the-Match Matt Toomua and standout centre Tevita Kuridrani helped sink the Chiefs in the five-try thumping. Brumbies lock Scott Fardy was sensational, making several turnovers at the ruck and constantly bursting over the gain line in front of 16,159 fans.

The Chiefs were the only side who wanted to run the ball early, dominating with 70 per cent possession to take a 6-3 lead after 25 minutes. Uncharacteristic mistakes from reliable performers Jesse Mogg, Nic White, as well as very kickable goal misses from Christian Lealiifano, didn't help the home side's cause early on. However the Brumbies soon lifted their tempo and focused on retaining the ball, stocky fly-half Toomua burrowing his way over in the 30th minute. Leali'ifano then popped a penalty over in the 37th minute for a 13-6 lead at the break.

The Brumbies secured a dominant victory against the defending champions (video in Australia only)
Chiefs fly-half Gareth Anscombe opened the second stanza with a penalty, however the Brumbies soon hit back through an acrobatic try in the corner to winger Joe Tomane to lead 18-9.

Five minutes of the most free-flowing tryless rugby you'll ever see then took place, the Brumbies somehow managing to hold out a Chiefs side hot on attack. The visitors looked certain to score, until Tomane jagged a desperate intercept and was only prevented from scoring when he was tripped by Lowe. The numerical disadvantage stung the visitors, White slotting the ensuing long range penalty goal before Kuridrani's double gave them a 36-9 lead with 18 minutes remaining.

The Chiefs finished in typically strong fashion with tries to replacements Brad Weber and Josh Hohneck, but an intercept try to Toomua after the siren sunk any hopes of nabbing a bonus point.

The win secures the Brumbies' second place standing, just one point behind the Sharks, while the Chiefs remain five points behind the Brumbies at third.

© AAP

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