80: With the Brumbies pressing, they give away a penalty for not releasing and that's all she wrote. Fittingly it's getting dark to signify what was a dark day for the home side. They were under the pump for most of the game with turnovers proving massively costly. Crusaders make it 7 in a row. CRusaders 40-14.
78: Joe Tomane in the hands of the trainers in the back field. Now he's up with a limp. Appeared to clutch at his leg when he threw a pass from the ground. The Brumbies' day might be getting worse...
So the only interest left in this game is whether the Crusaders can pass the Chiefs' mark of 48 points set here a coupla weeks ago for the highest score from a visiting team to Canberra Stadium...
65: And of course the Crusaders make the Brumbies pay yet again. Marty McKenzie capitalises on a good run from Macilai. Mounga converts. All over bar the shouting. Crusaders 40-14.
63: Brumbies blow a possible try. They forced the turnover in their own half and Tomane was away with Coleman on his outside and only Nadolo to beat, but he loses the ball forward and it's a CRusaders scrum 40m out. Chances slipping away for the home side...
Back to topIn the words of the Starks, winter is coming in Canberra and with the going down of the sun it's starting to get chilly here in the nation's capital. Hope you brought a jacket...
So for all the head way the Brumbies were making, another error has put them right back where they started the half...
51: Now the Brumbies pack is getting some go forward. But Kuridrani couldn't hold onto a pass. The Crusaders break 3/4 of the length of the field to score a try. Great pick-up by centre David Havili and he has Taylor on his outside for the hooker's second try. Mounga doesn't miss. Crusaders 33-14.
50: Can't believe my colleague Blocka Dutton was bagging Aidan Toua's kicking game! Great little 40-20 there from the Brumbies fullback... ps yes I know there's no 40-20 in union...
45: Stephen Moore comes from the field, a bit of a lower leg injury perhaps? And the crowd explodes into life as Ben Alexander makes a break, puts the ball on the hoof and makes a great tackle. Matt Toomua was in support and he wins the penalty for not releasing. Flick, flick go the Brumbies and Smoking Joe Tomane is in the corner! That's more like it! Lealiifano with a great kick from the sideline! Crusaders 26-14.
Back to topAnd we're back here at Canberra Stadium. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said he gave his players "a bit of a spray" during the break. Not happy with a few soft carries and some soft defence...
A bit of light entertainment trying to lift the spirits of the Brumbies faithful. Got an army band rocking out Jimmy Barnes' anthem Working Class Man. The Brums need to put the blue collar on in the second stanza and roll the sleeves up for a bit of hard graft if they want to get back into this.
So the Brumbies can take a little bit of momentum into the break, but they have a mountain to climb in the second half. Too many turnovers gifting possession to the Crusaders, who have been more than happy to turn the presents into points.
Around the grounds
NRL: Cronulla Sharks 6 Penrith Panthers 0
AFL: Fremantle 17 Carlton 17
40: Smoking Joe! He gets a break going, flying down the right wing, brings it inside and after a few more passes the Brumbies have a lineout 5m out...but after a couple of phases Jarrad Butler loses the ball forward just short of the line and it's half-time. CRusaders 26-7.
So some massive problems for the Brumbies. The Crusaders are threatening to beat the record score for a visitor at Canberra Stadium, which was only set a few weeks ago by the Chiefs. I guess that's a positive? That we might see a record?
Back to top32: Finally the Brumbies get their running game going, but the second of their forward passes is picked up by the officials. Kuridrani has some push and shove with Fonotia - until Nadolo steps in and everyone surprisingly loses interest...
29: It's becoming a procession now. After several penalties, CRusaders finally get their rolling maul going from the ensuing lineouts and hooker Codie Taylor gets the try. Mounga converts again. Crusaders 26-7.
27: Crusaders on the attack again. Carter penalised for not releasing at the breakdown and an awesome kick from Mounga gives the visitors a lineout 5m out...
21: Massive danger signs for the Brumbies as the CRusaders break their line yet again. This time outside centre Keiron Fonotia bursts clear, finds Nadolo who offloads to Israel Dagg. Too easy for the All Black fullback. Rod Kafer says the Brumbies are vulnerable to offloading and the CRusaders are exploiting that. Mounga converts. Crusaders 19-7.
Seems a pretty healthy and vocal crowd here at Canberra Stadium, will be interesting to see the number when it's released later in the game...
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