Brumbies batter Reds

The Brumbies scored six tries to beat the Reds 47-3 in their season-opener in Canberra on Friday, writes MARIETTE ADAMS.

Based on this performance, Stephen Larkham's side will be serious title contenders in 2015, while the Reds will struggle again.

The visitors' ill discipline produced 12 first-half penalties, with two second-half yellow cards resulting in a red for James Horwill.

The Brumbies took an early lead in the match after the Reds had conceded a penalty at the breakdown. The ball was sent out wide quickly from the resultant lineout, with Henry Speight beating his man and then offloading to fullback Robbie Coleman. 

Horwill then conceded a penalty after taking out the Brumbies jumper and was fortunate not to be yellow-carded. Christian Leali'ifano took the three points, before slotting another two penalties to make it 16-0. 

Karmichael Hunt got the Reds on the board with a penalty, but Joe Tomane's try just before the break gave the Brumbies a 21-3 lead.

Things would get worse for the visitors in the second half when Horwill was sin-binned for not rolling away, and Matt Toomua scored a minute later.

Will Genia was then nutmegged by a grubber from opposite number Nic White, who followed up his own kick to score under the sticks. 

The Reds were starved of possession in the second half, and conceded more penalties in their attempts to get the ball.

Tevita Kuridrani scored the Brumbies' fifth try, before Horwill received a second yellow card, which became red.

There was still time for the hosts to score one more try, with James Dargaville burrowing over the line. 

Brumbies – Tries: Robbie Coleman, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Tevita Kuridrani, James Dargaville. Conversions: Christian Leali'ifano (4). Penalties: Leali'ifano (3).
Reds – Penalty: Karmichael Hunt.

Brumbies – 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Ita Vaea, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 1 Lausii Taliauli.

Reds – 15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Karmichael Hunt, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Marco Kotze, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Duncan Paia'aua, 23 Campbell Magnay.

Photo: Stefan Postles/Getty Images

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