Embarrassed by the Blues a week ago, the ACT Brumbies have responded in the best possible fashion by knocking over the previously unbeaten Hurricanes 27-19 in one of the games of the season in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
The brilliant win, which saw the Brumbies consolidate their place in the top four, was built off the back of three converted tries inside the opening 20 minutes.
But it was the resilient defence in the final 30 minutes that Larkham will be most pleased about, as the Brumbies held the competition leaders – and highest tryscorers – at bay.
The win was built off the back of a much improved physical display, where the Brumbies’ forwards rolled up their sleeves and played much tighter than in recent weeks.
Noah Lolesio scored an early try for the Brumbies in their upset win over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Canberra on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The home side’s previously misfiring lineout operated with precision and their maul’s accuracy and potency returned to the heights it reached under Dan McKellar a few years ago.
“It was a good performance,” Larkham told Stan Sport. “We’re very happy at the moment.
“With the performance last week and the way the score blew out, it was quite embarrassing.
“The boys trained exceptionally hard last week. It’s hard to determine whether that turns into a good performance or not, but we certainly started the game on fire.
“I thought the intent was there in defence and we got a few chances in attack and we took them.
“Second half, it sort of fizzled out a little bit. I thought we were a little bit defensive in the last 20 minutes just trying to hold onto the lead, which you can’t do against New Zealand sides, but we held out.
“Everyone’s happy. It’s just a massive turn around from the embarrassment the previous week.”
Tamati Tua was one of the Brumbies’ best during their win over the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
James Slipper was at the centre of the Brumbies’ success, while their back five forwards, especially Rob Valetini, were brilliant.
Playing behind a pack that held its own, fullback Tom Wright was superb.
The fleet-footed fullback’s decision-making and skill execution was spot on, while Noah Lolesio enjoyed a much happier afternoon.
Off-contract inside centre Tamati Tua also had his best match of the season, regularly getting over the gain line and scoring an important try.
“We needed a response and that’s exactly what we delivered,” interim captain Ryan Lonergan said.
“It was pretty grim on Monday in our review, so it’s very positive to roll that out this afternoon.”
Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields lamented his side’s slow start.
“Yeah, pretty disappointing the way we started,” he said.
“They got three tries pretty quick. We didn’t give ourselves a good enough chance and we were on the back foot early, but we couldn’t change that momentum.
“We had our chances, but I think we were a bit off this afternoon.
“It’s a bloody tough place to come and play and I think our set-piece wasn’t good enough.”
In good news, Wallabies star Allan Alaalatoa made a successful comeback from a nine-month absence from an Achilles injury. The tight-head prop played 40 minutes and was busy across the park.
But disappointingly, Wallabies loose-head prop Blake Schoupp left the field in the second half nursing his shoulder after being folded at the scrum.