News

Wilkinson gives Brumbies the boot

August 07 2009

The Brumbies have completed their four-match French tour with a 20-6 loss to Top 14 club Toulon at Stade Mayol on Thursday.

England's 2003 Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson was the chief destroyer for the home side, kicking four penalty goals before he was replaced in the 59th minute.

Wilkinson's chore was made easier with the Brumbies gifting a number of opportunities on the back of a problematic set piece. In total the tourists lost seven tighthead scrums and gave away an additional five free kicks on their own feed.

Wilkinson, who was without team-mate Sonny Bill Williams for the match, took little time to impose himself, pushing a drop goal attempt wide in the opening minute of the match before landing a penalty three minutes later when Brumbies scrum-half Nic White was sin-binned for a ruck infringement.

The English fly-half added three further penalties in the ninth, 52nd and 58th minutes before leaving the field midway through the second term.

In response the Brumbies could only manage a 37th minute drop-goal through Christian Lealiifano with his side's malfunctioning scrum and line-out starving themselves of possession and field position throughout the match.

Despite the significant set piece woes, the visitors had an opportunity to level the half-time scores at 6-6 with fly-half Matt Toomua pushing the penalty attempt wide from 35 metres out and in front as the half-time siren sounded.

Lealliifano, who covered fly-half, centre and full-back during the match and was among the Brumbies best, added a penalty goal of his own in the 54th minute after a 40-metre bust by replacement full-back Pat McCabe.

Toulon landed another penalty goal in the 66th minute before pushing over for a try from a line-out to close out the match with five minutes remaining.

Hooker Anthony Hegarty was the only injury concern out of the match with a suspected syndesmosis injury to his ankle. The Brumbies finish the tour with one win over Top 14 champions, USA Perpignan (17-0) alongside losses to Bourgoin (20-12), Bayonne (37-21) and Thursday's result against Toulon.

Despite the loss, Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend said the tour was a valuable learning experience for the playing squad and coaching staff.

"We're really happy [with the overall success of the tour]," he said.

"We may have only won one out of four games but it's put us three months ahead of what we would've been if we didn't come on the tour.

"It proved to be a great chance for the squad to bond, particularly with the younger members, and the integration of these young players and the way in which they took their opportunities was a real positive.

"It was also a great chance to experience a different style of rugby and a different culture and it's given us a fantastic read on what we need to do to improve individuals as well as the team."

The side will return to Australia on Sunday.