Pressure finish 14-match dropping streak towards Brumbies pups

By Justin Chadwick in Perth

THE Western Pressure have snapped a 14-match dropping streak towards the Brumbies with a 34-19 conquer the “little puppies” at HBF Park.

The Brumbies entered Saturday night time’s match lacking Wallabies stars James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright as a part of Rugby Australia’s World Cup resting coverage.

Within the lead-up to the match, Pressure hooker Folau Fainga’a mentioned the mass modifications meant the Brumbies had been sending over the “little puppies” to permit the “massive canines” to relaxation at dwelling and get their necks massaged.

The Pressure raced out to a 21-0 lead inside 25 minutes, then weathered a Brumbies fightback earlier than happening to safe the four-tries-to-three victory.

The triumph was the Pressure’s first win over the Brumbies since 2013.

Extra importantly, the Pressure’s fifth straight win at dwelling this season ensured they ended the spherical in eighth spot, three factors forward of the ninth-placed Highlanders.

The Pressure end their marketing campaign with video games towards the Rebels (away) and ladder-leading Chiefs (dwelling), and yet one more win may be sufficient to safe a finals berth.

However Saturday night time’s win got here at an enormous price, with Wallabies prop Tom Robertson injuring his left knee within the 51st minute.

Robertson was on crutches on the finish of the match.

“I’m unclear proper now on (precisely) what it’s,” Pressure coach Simon Cron mentioned of the harm.

“They may take the time to do the scans, simply test all the pieces out with him.

“He’s a wonderful man. We love him, he’s an enormous a part of our group, and we would like him to get properly as fast as he can.”

Pressure playmaker Max Burey performed an influential position within the win, nailing all 4 of his conversion makes an attempt in addition to two penalties in an ideal kicking show.

The Pressure made a blistering begin to the match with tries to Felix Kalapu, Hamish Stewart and Sam Spink.

The Brumbies had their first attempt of the night time within the twenty eighth minute when flanker Charlie Cale received on the tip of a scorching quick break.

And it was recreation on when Wallabies lock Darcy Swain touched down within the thirty fourth minute, decreasing the halftime margin to 9 factors.

Fainga’a had enjoyable towards his former Brumbies teammates within the first half.

After stealing a wayward line-out and booting it ahead to search out contact, Fainga’a raised his hand in a celebratory gesture.

He couldn’t assist however have fun after stealing one other line-out shortly earlier than the break.

The Brumbies dominated lengthy durations of the second half, however their solely reward was a 53rd-minute attempt to Luke Reimer.

The Pressure defended their five-point lead for lengthy stretches, and their dedication was rewarded within the seventieth minute when a collection of pick-and-goes close to the road resulted in a attempt to Marley Pearce.

Pressure playmaker Max Burey nailed the sideline conversion, and he repeated the dose with a 74th-minute penalty to seal the win.

“Very inconsistent throughout the board,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham mentioned of his group’s efficiency.

“I don’t assume there was an space we had been higher than the Pressure tonight.

“We simply made lots of errors, whether or not it was set piece errors or particular person errors that stopped us getting momentum.”