• Reds, Brumbies win big as Super Rugby AU kicks off

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    The Reds hammered the Waratahs 41-7 in Brisbane and the Brumbies eased past the Western Force 27-11 in the opening round of Super Rugby AU on Friday.

    The Waratahs started brightly as they scored the opening try of the season three minutes after kick off. But that was first and final highlight of the match as the Reds overcame the early setback to run in five tries and score 41 points on their way to a one-sided victory.

    Wing Filipo Daugunu produced a superb display of pace and power as he bagged a brace of tries for the hosts, while James O’Connor delivered a masterful performance at flyhalf. O’Connor was flawless off the kicking tee with a 100% try conversion rate as well as two successful penalty attempts.

    Elsewhere, in the second match of the day, the Brumbies started their title defence on a positive note against the unimpressive Force.

    The result sees the Brumbies strengthen their vice-like grip on this fixture with their 13th win in the last 14 clashes between the teams, including a 10-match winning streak including today’s game.

    A try from scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli and two penalties off the boot of Ian Prior accounted for the Force’s points, but flyhalf Noah Lolesio’s supremacy at flyhalf is what steered the Brumbies to a comfortable victory.

    Lolesio contributed 17 points to the Brumbies’ tally with a try, three conversions and two penalty kicks.

    Photo: Rugby Australia

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    SA Rugby magazine