A Len Ikitau hat-trick has helped the Brumbies to a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Fijian Drua in a helter-skelter Super Rugby Pacific clash in Canberra.
Both teams entered Friday night’s match in high spirits, with the Brumbies having snapped a 12-year drought in beating the reigning champion Blues in Auckland last round.
The Drua had also made history with their first win over the Chiefs.
After the sides felt each other out early, the Brumbies were first on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when Test centre Ikitau burrowed over after a strong run by No.8 Charlie Cale.
Ikitau also had a hand in the second four minutes later, managing to recycle the ball for skipper Ryan Lonergan to plant the ball down from the back of the ruck.
The Drua closed the gap to 12-5 when No.8 Elia Canakaivata charged over off a tap-and-go following a clumsy penalty.
With the newly re-signed Nick Frost and flanker Tom Hooper causing damage up front, the hosts looked set to cruise to a comfortable win when Ikitau and winger Andy Muirhead scored within four minutes to set up a 28-7 halftime lead.
But with Cale exiting with back spasms, the determined Drua swung momentum their way. Tries to flanker Motikiai Murray and Tevita Ikanivere closed the margin to seven points.
Ikitau’s third try in the 50th minute, scored after another dash by game-breaking fullback Tom Wright, gave the home side some breathing space.
A turning point came five minutes later when it appeared Ikanivere had bagged his second after a rolling maul, with the try awarded and the conversion unsuccessful.
However, television official James Leckie then told referee Jordan Way he had another angle of the try that showed the reserve hooker had lost the ball, and it was disallowed on review.
That left the Drua with 12 points to make up. Despite their best efforts, the Brumbies’ defence remained rock solid in the closing stages.
The Drua’s misery was compounded by losing Murray to a yellow card for an ugly tackle that also forced Brumbies back Harrison Goddard from the field for an HIA.
Instead, the home side secured a valuable bonus point with Luke Reimer jagging a try in the final minute.