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The CA Brumbies have completed their pre-season with a 42-21 loss to the Hurricanes in their final Investec Super 14 trial match against the Hurricanes in Levin today.
Despite being starved of possession and territory for extended periods throughout the match, the visitors still managed three fine tries and a flawless goalkicking display to remain in the match for the majority of the game.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Laurie Fisher said next week’s first round of the Investec Super 14 will provide a great unknown for sides courtesy of the new experimental law variations.
“We let them off over the ball too many times and we’ve got to get better at shutting the ball down,” he said. “But it will be interesting to see when we’re playing for points how much sides play out of their own 22 or whether they play a kick-chase game and play more randomly up the other end.
“But I’m not sure how indicative the trials are of how sides will play next week.”
The inclusion of an additional five Wallabies to the CA Brumbies squad was noticed immediately when fullback Mark Gerrard stepped passed two Hurricanes defenders in just the second minute to open the scoring.
Moments later Hurricanes backrower Chris Masoe stamped his presence on the match by kickstarting a Jerry Collins try with a 40-metre dash before scoring one of his own and being shown a yellow card for fighting by referee Kelvin Deaker all within the space of nine minutes.
The visitors were quick to take advantage of the All Black flanker’s indiscretion when scrumhalf Josh Holmes – in his first match in CA Brumbies colours – dummied his way through to the line from the resulting lineout before bumping and stepping the last line of defence to score.
However, the Hurricanes reinstated their lead when Tamati Ellison charged through off a short inside pass from Piri Weepu to score and afford his side a 21-14 half-time lead.
The New Zealanders struck first in the second term when Jacob Ellison capitalised on his side’s sustained pressure with a push over try in the 57th minute, before the Canberra side hit back two minutes later when hooker Huia Edmonds put replacement fullback Afusipa Taumoepeau in for his second try in as many weeks.
The Hurricanes finished the match with tries to Conrad Smith and Zac Guildford in the final ten minutes.
The CA Brumbies play the Crusaders in their Investec Super 14 opener in Christchurch next Friday.
MATCH DETAILS
Hurricanes 42(Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Zac Guilford, Jacob Ellison tries; Jimmy Gopperth 3 conversions, Willie Ripia 3 conversions) defeated CA Brumbies 21 (Mark Gerrard, Joshua Holmes, Afusipa Taumoepeau tries; Julian Huxley 2 conversions, Anthony Faingaa conversion) at Levin Domain, Levin.
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
Half time: Hurricanes 21-14
Crowd: Not announced
CA Brumbies
1. Salesi Ma’afu
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Alister Campbell
5. Adam Wallace-Harrison
6. Mitchell Chapman
7. Richard Stanford
8. Stephen Hoiles
9. Joshua Holmes
10. Julian Huxley
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Peter Playford
15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Nic Henderson
18. Peter Kimlin
19. Jone Tawake
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Christian Lealiifano
22. Afusipa Taumoepeau
23. Tyrone Smith
24. Anthony Faingaa
25. George Smith
26. John Ulugia
Replacements
<Not recorded>
Hurricanes
1. John Schwalger
2. Andrew Hore
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Jason Eaton
6. Jerry Collin
7. Chris Masoe
8. Rodney So’oialo ©
9. Piri Weepu
10. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Shannon Paku
12. Tamati Ellison
13. Conrad Smith
14. Hosea Gear
15. Cory Jane
Reserves
16. Hikawera Elliot
17. Neemia Tialata
18. Bernie Upton
19. Michael Johnson
20. Alby Mathewson
21. Zac Guildford
22. Tane Tu’ipulotu
23. Jacob Ellison
24. Thomas Waldrom
25. Craig Clarke
26. Scott Waldrom
27. Ma’a Nonu
28. Willy Ripia
Replacements
<Not recorded>
Yellow cards:
Chris Masoe (20th minute)
NEXT GAME:
Investec Super 14 Week One
CA Brumbies v Crusaders
AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
Friday, 15 February 2008
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