A breathtaking Rob Valetini try has helped the Brumbies take down a New Zealand opponent for a second straight week, knocking off the Hurricanes 42-25 at GIO Stadium.
Valetini’s 33rd-minute classic came after he kicked the ball from his own half, burned off two Hurricanes opponents and finished off with his outstretched hand, giving his side a lead they would blow out in a huge second half.
The win improves the Brumbies to 9-1 for the Super Rugby Pacific season, with an impressive 2-0 start to their schedule facing Kiwi sides.
They’ll face the Chiefs (fourth) and Crusaders (third) in the coming fortnight in what will be a genuine pressure test for their title candidacy.
Of his try-of-the-year contender, Valetini said he was more looking for distance to back in the Brumbies’ defence rather than thinking of scoring.
“I was pretty shocked actually to get there, I thought I’d see someone coming in from the side,” he said.
“I got a shock when I was at the try-line and no one was there so I went for it, luckily I got it.”
Having gone behind early in the second half, the Brumbies’ rolling maul produced a try for Lachie Lonergan before flanker Jahrome Brown, impressive throughout, capitalised on beautiful team play.
They looked to have broken the Hurricanes’ back some minutes later when smart play from Nic White allowed Tom Banks to cross for a 35-20 lead.
Hurricanes substitute Billy Proctor pulled some points back 14 minutes from time but the Brumbies sealed victory late as Hudson Creighton broke through to score.
Captain Nic White said the win was another great step forward.
“It’s a good start, we’ve had really good buy-in to the way we play and the intensity has really stepped up,” he said.
“The things we’ve spoken about, the learnings from Trans-Tasman last year, it’s good to see they’re working for us but we’re going to have to evolve again and and go to another level because … it doesn’t get any easier from now.
“So it’s a good win, but it’s just a round game.”
The Brumbies pinched an early 9-3 break via three penalties before centre Peter Umaga-Jensen notched the first try of the game with a diving effort from close range on 27 minutes as the Canes took the lead.
Salesi Rayasi had burst through the Brumbies’ line to start the second half and give the Canes the lead, but they couldn’t withstand the Brumbies’ barrage.
The Hurricanes are now 5-5 for the season.
