Brumbies' 'mental resolve' keeps them unbeaten in Super Rugby / Photo: Saeed KHAN - AFP
Brumbies' 'mental resolve' keeps them unbeaten in Super Rugby
ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed his side's "mental resolve" after they keep their cool to score two late tries in a thrilling 30-27 defeat of the Auckland Blues.
The rousing victory in Canberra on Saturday evening kept their flawless start to the Super Rugby season intact, leaving them top of the table after three rounds.
"It was intense. We haven't had a big challenge where we've been behind on the scoreboard," said Larkham.
"So that was a really good test of our mental resolve. Lots of mistakes, lots of turnovers, some really hard passages, both in attack and defense.
"And I think when you come out of a game like that, you can build a lot of belief from the fact that we just go back to what we know we do well and that can put us in a position to win the game."
The Blues were in the box seat with 10 minutes left, leading by nine points after a brace from All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke and a try apiece to AJ Lam and skipper Dalton Papali'i in his 100th game.
But the hosts never gave up.
A yellow card for the Blues' Stephen Perofeta turned the tide, with Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer crossing before Charlie Cale worked his way over after more than 20 phases in the 82nd minute to seal the win.
The victory came after they crushed the defending champions Canterbury Crusaders 50–24 last week to snap a 26 winless streak in Christchurch.
The Blues were backing up from a gritty 42-32 defeat of Western Force in Perth.
"I thought the boys put in a real gutsy effort," said coach Vern Cotter.
"We lost a couple of players early, finished with the yellow card, and just didn't quite have that bit at the end to get over the line.
"It's simply disappointing."
The Brumbies host the Queensland Reds next week while the Blues return home to face the Crusaders.
(G.VanRooyen--TPT)
