The Brumbies scored four tries to beat the Force 27-15 in Canberra on Friday, writes MARIETTE ADAMS.
It was the 10th consecutive home win for Stephen Larkham's side and the fourth time in five home matches that they have earned the try-scoring bonus point.
The hosts won a physical battle up front, which set the platform for halfbacks Nic White and Christian Leali'ifano to control the game.
The Force had no shortage of scoring opportunities themselves, but poor finishing cost them.
The Brumbies scored three tries in the first 23 minutes of the match through Rory Arnold, Joe Tomane and Ben Alexander, with Nick Cummins, playing in his first Super Rugby match since returning from Japan, getting over for the Force.
Leali'ifano slotted two conversions with Zack Holmes kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 19-8.
The Brumbies grabbed the bonus-point try in the 49th minute when White broke away from the back of a rolling maul to score.
The Force dominated territory and possession in the second half and finally made it count when Steve Mafi breached the Brumbies defence for a converted touchdown.
But Leali'ifano slotted a 63rd-minute penalty to extend his side's lead to 12, and while the Force had plenty of possession in the final minutes, they could not score a converted try that would have given them a bonus point.
Brumbies – Tries: Rory Arnold, Joe Tomane, Ben Alexander, Nic White. Conversions: Christian Leali'ifano (2). Penalty: Leali'ifano.
Force – Tries: Nick Cummins, Steve Mafi. Conversion: Zack Holmes. Penalty: Holmes.
Brumbies – 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Blake Enever, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Jesse Mogg.
Force – 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Solomoni Jnr Rasolea,11 Nick Cummins, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Steve Mafi, 4 Sam Wykes (c), 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Sias Ebersohn, 23 Luke Burton.
Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
