Tomane hat-trick ends Brumbies' drought

The Brumbies have not won a Super Rugby match in Sydney since 2012 and their last win at the Sydney Cricket Ground was in 2002.

It was a Joe Tomane hat-trick and a Steve Moore try from a rolling maul that helped the Brumbies to a crucial win that cemented their place at the top of the Australian conference standings.

The Brumbies were stronger and have left the Waratahs languishing somewhat in their conference - with the Waratahs fourth, which also means second last.

The Brumbies were stronger in the scrums, at the breakdowns and, above all, at mauling, and at half-time they looked a good bet for victory. Indeed they won, but the second half was a fairly dreary, 7-3 affair. The seven came 10 minutes into the half, the three two minutes from the end. The other 28 minutes were fairly desultory.

The man who was the bright start in the match was right wing Joe Tomane with his hat-trick of tries, the second a long-range affair. For two of them he dismissed would-be tacklers with a powerful swerve.

The Brumbies built an early lead with two Tomane tries but the Waratahs came back to take the lead with two exciting tries of their own. But in the end the home side capitulated and settled for a losing bonus point.

Israel Folau was playing at outside centre for this match but inside the first minute was off for a concussion assessment after a clash of heads with Jordan Smiler, whose head was clearly strong enough not to need the test. But Folau came back from the test and galloped over for the Waratahs' second try.

The first scrum was early in the match and then already big divots emerged in the turf. This is not the first Super Rugby ground to suffer from divots but it is  not only ugly but also dangerous for the big men required to scrum.

The Brumbies were first to attack with Tomane charging down the right wing. He chipped and Michael Hooper ran the ball into touch.

The Brumbies went left from the line-out and then went back to Tomane who raced ahead, swerved through Nick Phipps and away from Benn Robinson to score. Christian Leali'ifano converted. 7-0 after 7 minutes.

Folau came back but Benn Robinson was off with a rapidly closing eye and stayed off.

The Waratahs had the ball but Brendan Foley kicked it to Aidan Toua who ran it back. There was some scrambling but Ben Alexander got a pass of sorts to his backs and then Stephen Moore did some clever switching and the Brumbies were running free. Matt Toomua ran down to Matt Carraro, fixed him in place, and gave to Tomane who raced to the goal-line 50 metres away, swerving inside Andrew Kellaway to score. 12-0 after 16 minutes.

Now it was the Waratahs' turn.

Strong No.8, Jed Holloway, broke and gave to Reece Roberts who was unmarked. The right wing, out on the left, juggled but held onto the ball and scored in the corner. Foley converted from afar. 12-7 after 23 minutes.

The Waratahs were back on the attack when Scott Fardy tackled Hooper high and Foley goaled. 12-10 after 28 minutes. (In this match the Brumbies were penalised for two high tackles, two late tackles and an early tackle.)

Holloway was again in action, this time from a scrum  They switched direction and came left where Kurtley Beale slashed through on a break and gave to Kellaway who gave to Folau who strode away from Tomane to score. Again Foley converted. 17-12 to the Waratahs after 33 minutes.

When Hooper was penalised, the Brumbies eschewed a chance to kick at goal and went for a five-metre line-out instead. They mauled and drove over the line where Moore dropped down for the try. Leali'ifano's conversion went over off the upright. 19-17 to the Brumbies, which was the half-time score after the Waratahs had blown a real chance with a poor pass.

In a repeat sequence in the second half, Hooper was penalised, the Brumbies eschewed the kick at goal and went for a line-out. They threw deep and mauled but this time the script changed. They went wide - Tomás Cubelli to Toua to Tomane who scored easily. Leali'ifano converted from touch. 26-17 after 50 minutes. The next score was 28 minutes later.

That was a penalty when Josh Mann-Rae was penalised at a tackle and Foley goaled to get his side within eight points of the victors.

Man of the Match: There were players who caught the eye - Kurtley Beale and Jed Holloway of the Waratahs, Matt Toomua, Scott Fardy and Stephen Moore of the  Brumbies and our man who brightened up an otherwise dull afternoon. - Joe Tomane of the Brumbies.

The scorers:

For the Waratahs:

Tries: R Robinson, Folau

Cons: Foley 2

Pens: Foley 2

For the Brumbies:

Tries: Tomane 3, Moore

Cons: Leali'ifano 3

Yellow cards: Wycliff Palu (Waratahs, 73 - foul play, flying with a shoulder into a ruck), Jarred Butler (Brumbies, 77 - cynical play, hands in the ruck)

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Hugh Roach, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 David Dennis, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 David Horwitz.

Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Robbie Coleman, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), 9 Tomás Cubelli 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (co-captain), 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Joe Powell, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.

Referee: Nick Briant

Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Michael Hogan

TMO: Ian Smith