WATCH: Ryan Lonergan’s quick thinking creates try for Andy Muirhead in Brumbies’ win over Moana Pasifika

David Skippers
Ryan Lonergan Brumbies SRP 2023 - PA.jpg

Brumbies replacement scrum-half Ryan Lonergan came off the bench to set up a try for Andy Muirhead in their team’s 62-36 victory over Moana Pasifika in Canberra on Saturday.

As the scoreline suggests, this was a high scoring affair and with the score at 46-36, the home side were awarded a penalty deep inside their opponents’ half.

Lonergan caught Moana napping as he took a tap penalty before getting a pass out to Muirhead, who cantered in for an easy five-pointer.

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That score brought up a half century of points for the Brumbies and set them up for their fourth successive Super Rugby Pacific victory.

Despite their big winning margin, the Brumbies did not have things going their way for a large portion of the match and they held a slender 29-27 lead at half-time.

This, after Moana raced into a 14-3 lead inside the first 10 minutes after Miracle Faiilagi and Alamanda Motuga crossed for early tries, which Christian Lealiifano converted, with Noah Lolesio scoring the Brumbies’ only points courtesy of a penalty.

The hosts struck back with a converted try from Tamati Tua and soon took the lead when Pete Samu also dotted down but Moana were back in front when Lealiifano slotted a penalty in the 26th minute.

Luke Reimer and Fine Inisi then crossed for tries which meant the sides were level at 22-22 before Reimer went over for his second try to give his side the lead at the interval.

The second half saw the visitors narrowing the gap when Motuga scored his second try soon after the restart but the home side responded when Muirhead crossed for his first five-pointer in the 46th minute.

Moana would not surrender and took a 36-34 lead in the 52nd minute when Samiuela Moli scored their fifth try, which was converted by Lealiifano. That was the last time they would score points though as the Brumbies dominated the final quarter and sealed their win with tries from Jack Debreczeni, Muirhead, Ben O’Donnell and Corey Toole with Lonergan succeeding with four conversions.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific

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