ACT Brumbies go back to back to start 2023 with Blues victory

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have defeated the Blues 25-20 in an emotion-filled clash at AAMI Park which saw Stephen Larkham’s side allow no points in the second half of Super Round’s headline fixture in Melbourne.
 
Lachlan Lonergan’s try before the break ultimately made the difference on the day, with the Brumbies going back-to-back against their local and overseas rivals to set up an epic ACT homecoming against the Queensland Reds this Saturday at GIO Stadium.
 
The Brumbies shot out to an early lead, Ryan Lonergan converting a penalty into three points before the Blues gave away a penalty try, illegally bringing down a maul destined for the tryline.
 
The teams traded penalties throughout the first half, the Blues getting a pair of tries on the board, though Andy Muirhead’s slick effort to score in the corner kept the Brumbies on equal terms.
 
Then, with time dwindling in the opening stanza, the Brumbies finally crossed the whitewash from a maul, Lachlan Lonergan sneaking under a few bodies to score.
 
Ryan couldn’t convert, making it 25-20 at the break.
 
If the story of the first forty was attack, pace, and searing heat, the second was certainly about the Brumbies grit, determination, and more stifling conditions.
 
Both sides had chances in the second period, and the Brumbies will look to fine tune ahead of another huge clash against the Reds, the club’s first home game in 2023, but no further points would come as the ACT clung on to their five-point advantage.

Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies head coach, Stephen Larkham said: "There was a lot of courage there, from both our starters and our bench and we're pleased to come away with the win."

"It's round two, we've still got lots to work on but we're building and today showed we're willing to stay in the grind and win. 

"It's been an emotional couple of weeks with the Waratahs game, and this with the games from last year so we're just so excited to get home to the ACT and play in front of our home support next week."
 
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 25 (25) (T: Penalty, Muirhead, L.Lonergan; C: R.Lonergan; P: R.Lonergan 2) def Blues 20 (20) (T: Riccitelli, Robinson, Barrett 2; P: Barrett 2)