Reds run finally ends
Super Rugby leaders the Reds saw their 12-match home winning run come to an end after a 22-14 defeat to the Brumbies.
Last Updated: 04/06/11 3:00pm
Super Rugby leaders the Reds saw their 12-match home winning run come to an end after a 22-14 defeat to Australian rivals the Brumbies.
Although they are languishing towards the bottom of the table, the underdog Brumbies prevailed after a magnificent performance from skipper Matt Giteau, who kicked 17 points.
The Reds still sit top of the standings despite not even being able to secure a losing bonus point, while the Brumbies restored some pride by taking only their third win of the 2011 campaign.
The hosts may have also been given a major injury blow as star winger Digby Ioane was stretchered off after his head connected with Ita Vaea in a tackle eight minutes into the second half.
There are also further injury concerns for the Reds, with full-back Ben Lucas picking up an elbow injury and Will Genia limping off with a leg problem late in the game.
The Brumbies led 19-11 after Giteau added to a Stephen Moore try with a conversion and four penalties and the visitors would not relinquish control for the rest of the match.
Lucas managed to touch down for the Reds just before the half-time break, but the Queenslanders could only add a single Quade Cooper penalty to their tally after the break.
Intense
The Brumbies stunned the home side early on by dominating the collisions from the off and limiting the Reds' options with their organised and intense play.
Giteau and Cooper traded two penalties between them before Moore grabbed the opening try of the contest midway through the first half after a sniping run from Patrick Phibbs.
The Brumbies scrum-half combined with Vaea to send Moore over under the posts and Giteau added the extras.
The Brumbies held a comfortable 13-point lead as half-time approached but the Reds went to the interval more upbeat when Lucas stretched over the try-line to make it 19-11 at the break.
Brumbies flanker Mitch Chapman missed out on a certain try in the second half when he put a hand into touch as he went to cross in the corner.
The let-off boosted the Reds' hopes of a comeback, but poor handling cost them dear in promising positions.
Cooper missed a chance to cut the lead by three points but then nailed a long-range attempt to bring the hosts to within five points with 25 minutes remaining.
But the Brumbies would not give in and had the last laugh when Giteau slotted over a penalty in added time to ensure the Reds went away from the match totally empty-handed.
