Welcome to Fijilive Sports - Brumbies sneak home with hard fought win

The Brumbies held on to a narrow two point lead to keep the Sharks winless with a 24-22 victory in Canberra in Saturday's Round five Super14 clash.

Goode's flawless kicking put the Sharks into a 13-16 lead at half time but the Brumbies dominated possession in the second half which allowed kicker Giteau to keep edging the Brumbies into the lead with penalties.

The Springbok-laden Sharks, who hosted the Super 14 final in 2007, began the 2010 Super 14 as one of the favourites but have now lost five in a row and languish fourth from the bottom.

By contrast the Brumbies have moved into third place with four wins from their opening five.

The Sharks lost to the Waratahs in Sydney last weekend and started Saturday's match far more committed than the home side.

Flyhalf Andy Goode kicked two early penalties to get the visitors away to a 6-0 lead only for rival number 10 Matt Giteau to put the Brumbies back on terms with two penalties of his own.

After absorbing all the early pressure over the opening 20 minutes the Brumbies began to dominate, controlling the ball and the territory and looking far more dangerous than their opponents, with backrowers Stephen Hoiles and Rocky Elsom involved in everything.

The pressure eventually told on the 30-minute mark when front rower Ben Alexander crashed over next to the posts after the Brumbies held the ball for 13 phases.

But the Sharks struck back almost immediately, halfback Ruan Pienaar darting over from 15 metres out when the Brumbies failed to defend the base of the ruck.

Goode converted from out wide to make it 13-13, then on the stoke of halftime the former England international kicked his third penalty to send the visitors into the break leading 16-13.

The Brumbies suffered a setback at halftime when inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock was replaced after suffering a shoulder injury, however they struck first when Alexander barged over for his second five-pointer.

Giteau's conversion hit the posts, and the Sharks were back in front moments later when Goode booted his fourth penalty to make it 19-18 to the visitors.

In a see-sawing match a Giteau penalty with 20 minutes to go put the Brumbies out to a 21-19 lead, answered minutes later by Goode's fifth penalty of the match.

But with 10 minutes left on the clock Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski was caught off side at a line out and Giteau put the Brumbies back in front and the visitors were unable to respond.

The table may change by the end of the weekend with the Bulls, Stormers and Hurricanes still to play.

Final Score Brumbies 24 Sharks 22

Scorers

Brumbies
Tries - B. Alexander 2
Pen - Giteau 4
Con - Giteau
Drop -
Cards -

Sharks
Tries - R Pienaar
Pen - Goode 5
Con - Goode
Drop -
Cards -

Match Officials
Referee: Garratt Williamson (NZ)
Ass. refs: Paul Marks (Aus), Simon Moore (Aus)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Aus)

Teams

Brumbies - 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.

Reserves: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.

Sharks - 15. Stefan Terblanche , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 13. Adrian Jacobs , 12. Riaan Swanepoel , 11. JP Pietersen , 10. Andy Goode , 9. Ruan Pienaar , 8. Ryan Kankowski , 7. Willem Alberts , 6. Jacques Botes , 5. Johann Muller , 4. Steven Sykes , 3. John Smit (Capt) , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: , 16. Craig Burden , 17. Jannie du Plessis , 18. Alistair Hargreaves , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Keegan Daniel , 21. Rory Kockott , 22. Waylon Murray

AFP