Brumbies end 26-year hoodoo, Slipper scores in game 200
Sebastian Tan |
James Slipper has scored a rare try in his 200th game to help the ACT Brumbies end a 26-year hoodoo with a 50-24 win against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Having scored just one try in the last two Super Rugby seasons, Slipper was a surprise scorer when he was on the receiving end of an Andy Muirhead offload in the 29th minute.
It was his 10th try in the competition since debuting for the Queensland Reds in 2010.
The five-pointer was the cherry on top for the former Wallaby, as he became the second player to reach the 200-game milestone.
He now sits just two matches behind former All Black Wyatt Crockett (202 matches) for most games played.
But more significantly, the Canberrans won their first match since 2000 against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
It’s the second time in as many seasons that they’ve ended a long winless streak against a Kiwi opposition in New Zealand, after they snapped their 12-year losing record against the Auckland Blues at Eden Park last year.
Filling the shoes of the injured Tom Wright (knee), Muirhead provided the spark, assisting Slipper’s try and scoring one of his own in the 20th minute.
With both teams exchanging tries, the Brumbies put their foot on the throttle in the second half, scoring five tries in the second half, including three in the last 10 minutes to put their opponents to the sword.
For the Crusaders, their Super Rugby title defence is already in tatters following a shock 25-23 loss to rivals Highlanders last round.
Despite welcoming back All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell and Will Jordan, they couldn’t handle the Canberrans dominance, coughing up 14 turnovers.
The Crusaders scored two tries in the first half, with captain David Havili and All-Black George Bell following a dazzling chip by Taha Kemara.
But Muirhead, Slipper, and Charlie Cale’s five-pointers saw the visitors take a 19-14 lead into half-time.
Cale planted another try in the second half after a blistering run down the left flank, while Kadin Pritchard added to his tally after pouncing on a favourable bounce from a Declan Meredith kick in the 54th minute.
The Crusaders Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku kept the Crusaders in the match but tries from Corey Toole, Liam Bowron, and Rob Valetini sealed the victory.
AAP