Brumbies hang tough to keep Sunwolves at bay in Camberra

The Brumbies toughed out a 41-31 win over the Sunwolves and averted an unprecedented fourth straight loss at home.

Brumbies backrower David Pocock came through his side’s win over the Sunwolves unscathed. Picture: Getty Images

In the end, pretty much everyone had reason to be pleased.

The Brumbies toughed out a 41-31 victory over the Sunwolves in Canberra yesterday, which averted an unprecedented fourth straight loss at home and would have brought a smile to the face of embattled coach Dan McKellar.

The three Australian squad members McKellar played in ­defiance of a request from the Wallabies — David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa — all came through the contest without injury and in fine form, which would have delighted Michael Cheika.

A crowd of 9521 turned out on a grey Canberra winter’s day to support the match, which would have warmed the hearts of ACT officials who had warned that if the club continued to draw attendances of about 5000, there might not be a Brumbies side in five years’ time.

While smaller than the crowd for the Waratahs match and considerably less than the hoped-for 15,000, it still was more than ­respectable for a match against the bottom-placed Sunwolves, who have never won away from home in 21 Super Rugby matches. It was a reassuring, if modest show of public support for a Brumbies side that have now clawed their way up to 10th spot in the ladder, on 25 points — nine behind the Rebels, 10 behind pacesetters NSW.

And funnily enough, the Sunwolves themselves would have been relatively comfortable with the outcome. Coach Jamie Joseph had made 10 changes to his side following last week’s trouncing by the Rebels, standing down players needed for the Japanese national side.

All the pre-match drama surrounding whether the three Wallabies would have sufficient time to prepare for next Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Brisbane fell away just six minutes after kick-off when Pocock demonstrated why McKellar was so desperate to use him as he worked his way over for a burrowing try.

A penalty for a high shot on winger Adam Muirhead allowed the Brumbies to kick for the corner but, in a variation of their usual drive, Pocock launched himself around the front end of the lineout. He was blocked at his first attempt but when fellow flanker Lachie McCaffrey brought the play back to him again, there was no denying him a second time.

Captain Christian Lealiifano landed the conversion magnificently from touch, raising hopes the excellent kick would lift his sagging confidence but, alas, he landed only one other kick all afternoon and he is stuck in the mire of a 65 per cent goalkicking conversion rate, the worst in Super Rugby save for the Rebels.

Halfback Joe Powell staked out his claim for a spot on the Wallabies’ reserve bench behind Will Genia by playing critical roles in the next two Brumbies tries.

He caught the Sunwolves defence napping when he dashed from the ruck base to put McCaffrey over in the 12th minute before linking with another Wallabies squad member, Tom Banks, for a third try in the 25th minute, as the in-form fullback ran a blistering arcing line to the corner.

That’s three games in succession that Banks has crossed for tries and as much as it is showcasing his electric speed, it’s the intent that Cheika relishes so much and could yet use during the Irish series.

Aside from an early penalty goal to Hayden Parker, the Sunwolves looked to be content merely making up the numbers before the Brumbies telegraphed their exit strategy and Lealiifano was charged down for a try to centre Jason Emery.

That try five minutes short of the break coupled with another by journeyman prop Hencus van Wyk just one minute after the ­resumption and suddenly the Brumbies were blinking in disbelief at the 19-17 scoreboard. It got the necessary response from McCaffrey as he cleverly manoeuvred Muirhead over for a try minutes later but then the Brumbies seemed to completely lose their way.

Player after player succumbed to white-line fever. Eventually Henry Speight got the message through that he was unmarked and his two late tries ensured the Brumbies came away with a bonus-point victory.