Brumbies survive Chiefs scare

Brumbies 28 Chiefs 26

Some leaders lead while others can go missing in the heat of battle.

Brumbies rugby captain Stirling Mortlock is definitely of the former persuasion, as he proved with an inspiring performance to help his side beat the Chiefs 28-26 in a Super 14 rugby match in Canberra today.

The seasoned international centre provided a steadying hand in midfield, a cutting edge when needed and an accurate goalkicking boot to have a huge say in the outcome of the game.

His contribution amounted to 18 points, including a fine first-half try, and Mortlock also produced the spark which turned the match after the Chiefs led 26-21 in the 71st minute.

The match was there for the taking for Chiefs, but Mortlock undermined their aspirations, a midfield bust and clever offload leading to a try to winger Mark Gerrard which Mortlock converted from a wide angle.

The Chiefs rallied desperately in the closing stages but could not unleash their dangerous three-quarters, who spent much of the match unemployed.

Despite enjoyed a heavy weight of possession in their favour, particularly at lineout time, the Chiefs could not match the accuracy and level-headedness provided for the Brumbies by Mortlock and his older stage hands, halfback George Gregan and first five-eighth Stephen Larkham.

It was an immaculate cutout pass from Larkham which laid on the opening try of the match for Mortlock in the 18th minute.

The remaining of the opening spell saw a tradeoff in penalties by Mortlock and Donald as the Brumbies took a 13-9 advantage into the interval.

The Chiefs spent much of the first half trying to figure out the rulings of South African referee Jerome Fortuin, who spent in inordinant amount of time attempting to sort out two incompatible front rows, only to invariably rule in favour of the home side.

The Chiefs sat on their frustration at the break and hit back with tries to replacement prop Simms Davison and dangerous wing Sitiveni Sivivatu to lead 23-6 within nine minutes of the restart.

The Brumbies refused to go away, striking back through wing Clyde Rathbone after they had opted for a lineout from a penalty in a handy goalkicking position.

The Chiefs were pushed right and then dragged back to the left where No 8 George Smith spun in a tackle before feeding Rathbone near the tryline.

Latham then threatened to steal the game, a ghosting 45m run up the middle ending only when Chiefs fullback Mils Muliaina brought him to ground via an ankle tap.

But it was Mortlock who came up with the decisive break to end a brave Chiefs challenge.

Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes acknowledged his side were inexplicably flat and had blown their opportunity to gain invaluable competition points.

"We struggled today to put the nails in the coffin when we had the Brumbies on the ropes," Gibbes said.

"Our set pieces let us down at crucial times and unfortunately we were a bit flat today.

"The Brumbies were a bit more aggressive in the contact area than us. That's something we pride ourselves on so it hurts us quite a bit to be beaten in that area."

Scores

Brumbies 28 (Stirling Mortlock, Clyde Rathbone, Mark Gerrard tries; Mortlock 3 pen, 2 con)
Chiefs 26 (Simms Davison, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries; Stephen Donald 3 pen, dropped goal, 2 con).
HT: 13-9.

- NZPA