Christian Lealiifano kicks ACT to victory over Blues
On a wet and windy evening, where there was only one try to each side, Lealiifano punished the Blues with five penalties to keep the Brumbies at the head of the Australian conference.
Christian Lealiifano kicked the ACT Brumbies to a crucial 20-13 win over the Auckland Blues in their Super 15 clash at Eden Park yesterday.
The Brumbies adapted best to the conditions where the wind and constant rain dictated kick-and-chase tactics and their halves Nic White and Matt Toomua turned the Blues at every opportunity in the first half.
They led 14-0 at half-time and although the Blues fought back in the second spell, Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said conditions were always in their favour to snap a two-match losing streak.
"We definitely stuck to our game plan which was good. When we woke up this morning and saw the rain coming down we felt comfortable because that was the way we had planned all week," he said. "This was a turning-point game for us and I'm really glad the guys got the result for themselves tonight."
"We can give ourselves an uppercut for that first half," said Blues captain Ali Williams who this week announced his retirement from international rugby after 77 tests in an 11-year All Blacks career. "The second half was better, a lot more pleasing, a lot more attitude and desire to play the game."