Brumbies winger Corey Toole scores against Moana Pasifika. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The Brumbies have taken an important 24-0 win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe, solidifying their status in Super Rugby Pacific's top three as the competition heads towards its business end. A double to winger Corey Toole was crucial to the Brumbies' effort, although for a while it looked like neither team would score at all.
The game seemed destined for a scoreless first half until Toole chased an Andy Muirhead chip ahead and dove to touch down inches from the dead ball line. Fifteen minutes after the restart Billy Pollard was driven over from a lineout and by that stage, a two-score lead looked about enough to win the game.
Both sides struggled massively in the greasy conditions, due to the aftermath of the horrendous weather that's struck the region over the last 48 hours, but it was the Brumbies who got their act together for Pollard to score in almost identical circumstances with 13 minutes to play. Toole's second was off a slick scrum move and cut out pass from Tom Wright saw the winger run in untouched to the corner.
Despite Moana's propensity for scoring in the final quarter of games, they simply couldn't get anything going at all with ball in hand. The Brumbies knew full well they simply had to make their tackles and the mistakes would come, as well as the win and bonus point.
This is a big blow for Moana, who stay rooted in 10th place and host the Drua at North Harbour next weekend. The Brumbies will return home full of confidence for their meeting against the struggling Hurricanes.
Read how the game unfolded here:
