by Act Brumbies Skipper Allan Alaalatoa welcomed his team for “Hustling Hard” after becoming the first super rugby team to hold a clean sheet with a 24-0 takedown Moana Pasifika this season.
Two attempts to secure the points in Pukekohe on Saturday for wings Corey Toolen and replacement channel Billy Pollard on Saturday, but it was more difficult than the proposed goal line.
The first points were only released in the 41st minute when Toole presented its lightning speed to plunge to an Andy Muirhead chip 30 seconds after the half-time siren.
“It is very gratifying to come here and to achieve such a performance against a hard Moana team,” Alaalatoa told Sky Sports.
“The most pleasant part was to keep your side at zero points and our side (show).
“I think we only had to harden ourselves for each other … We had two yellow cards (Tom Hooper and Tom Wright) and still gave no points.”
The victory consolidated third place in the overall ranking, four points behind the Waikato bosses and Canterbury Crusaders, both of whom won against Otago Highlanders or Auckland Blues.
Despite the 10th place, a freewheel-moana had stacked 291 points on 291 points this season and was at the same time 330, more than any other side.
“To get against Moana, we are very satisfied with the shape you had this year with a win,” said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
“Keeping them to zero also shows that our preparations from the defense perspective were really good.
“I thought the boys were defensive. I don’t know what the statistics are, but it feels like we only missed a few duels out there.”
MP/DH
