Brutal Brumbies crush Reds
The Brumbies kept their faint title hopes alive with a 52-13 victory over the Reds in Brisbane.
Last Updated: 02/05/09 2:12pm
The Brumbies kept their faint Super 14 title hopes alive with a resounding 52-13 victory over the Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The all-Australian derby proved a one-sided affair with the two-time champions running in seven of the nine tries scored in the contest.
Having been crushed by the Wellington Hurricanes a week ago, the Brumbies bounced back in style to keep themselves in the hunt for a top four spot.
Already well out of contention, Queensland decided to adapt a buccaneering approach, though their adventure was not rewarded.
Injury blow
Will Genia scored both tries for a Reds team that was badly hit by injury, most notably losing key man Berrick Barnes in the warm-up.
A strained groin ruled out the playmaker-in-chief and without him the Reds lacked the tactical nous to make the most of their opportunities, while also lacking the urgency and intensity of the previous week's upset of the Blues.
Skipper and number eight Stephen Hoiles scored two tries for the Brumbies, while Australia captain Stirling Mortlock, playing on the wing, kicked seven conversions and a penalty.
Ahead 10-3 after half an hour, the Brumbies blew the game wide open with two tries in the space of five first-half minutes to lead 24-3 at the break.
Hoiles' first of the day was quickly followed by Peter Kimlin touching down, though the Reds did threaten to make a game of it at the start of the second-half.
Scrum-half Genia bagged a quick-fire brace to rapidly close the gap, though neither conversion attempt was on target.
No comeback
However, home hopes of an unlikely comeback disappeared under an avalanche of points from the Brumbies. Ben Alexander answered back in a hurry before Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed just after the hour mark.
Further scores from Hoiles and replacement Francis Fainifo, who dived over in the closing minutes, added further gloss to the final scoreline.
It was a startling turnaround for the Brumbies, who were smashed 56-7 by the the Hurricanes in their worst-ever performance last weekend.
They now face a must-win match against the Blues in Canberra next week, while the Reds will be playing for nothing but pride when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.
