News
Bayonne beat the Brumbies
July 29 2009
The Brumbies have lost their second tour match in France, going down 37-21 to a physical and fast Bayonne.
The tourists managed three tries but conceded six to a near full-strength side that featured former Wallabies Rodney Blake and Manny Edmonds.
The Brumbies' first-half try came through Robbie Coleman, who benefited from some excellent controlled play with his team-mates working the ball up field for seven phases, allowing the inside centre to cross adjacent to the posts and set up a straightforward conversion for fly-half Christian Lealiifano.
Hampered by a slippery ball in humid conditions, the Brumbies had to wait until the 70th minute to register their next points when winger Pat McCabe sliced through from a line-out 15 metres into the Bayonne half. McCabe made it to within five metres of the try line before popping up a neat pass to flanker Colby Faingaa to score what was little more than a consolation try as Bayonne led 37-7 by that point.
Winger Alfi Mafi completed the try scoring soon after when he when he charged over on the back of a 30-metre run.
The Brumbies speedster capitalised on a well-worked centre-field scrum move by scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs to touch down next to the posts and help finalise the 37-21 result.
Lealiifano, who added the extras to Mafi's try, was among the best for the Brumbies, organising the play well and controlling the ball with aplomb.
The Brumbies fly-half was backed up by McCabe and Andrew Smith who were standouts in the inside backs, with McCabe making several good runs in the Brumbies' back field while Smith continued to make an impact on tour with his last 20 minutes off the bench.
Captain Stephen Hoiles led the way for his forwards in a solid performance typified by a high tackle rate and an ability to make ground in contact.
Lock Sitaleki Timani (shoulder) and scrumhalf Nick White (corked thigh) both sustained injuries during the match and are in doubt for the Brumbies' next match against Top 14 Champions Perpignan on Saturday.