Brumbies end Blues challenge

The Brumbies passed a true test of character on Saturday, beating the Blues 37-15 in an explosive Super 14 encounter in Canberra.

Out of sorts for much of the first-half, the Brumbies answered those who continue to doubt their credentials by sparking to life and running in five tries after the break that ultimately killed off any hopes the Blues may have had of making this year's play-offs.

In the process, the Brumbies secured the vital four-try bonus point victory which lifted them to provisional fifth place on the congested ladder, now two points above the Sharks.

Record

The Blues looked the better team in the first spell but could only manage a converted try and a penalty to fly-half Jimmy Gopperth. His five-pointer came in the 28th minute when another scintillating break from Isaia Toeava provided him with a nicely timed delayed pass before the Blues' pivot dived beside the posts.

Gopperth had earlier picked up three points that was countered by a cheeky drop-goal by opposite number Matt Toomua and a further penalty to Stirling Mortlock, who was chasing the title of highest points scorer in Super Rugby.

At 10-6 at half-time and although only four points down, the Brumbies looked set for an upset at home, especially after the Blues ended the first spell with more enthusiasm and ideas with ball in hand.

But the hosts emerged a different side after the break and Mortlock finally nailed his record four minutes in, going round the blindside of a scrum to slide over out wide before going on to kick the extras.

The Wallabies captain moved past former All Blacks and Crusaders pivot Andrew Mehrtens' record of 990 points and the Brumbies went on to run in three more tries between the 50th and 60th minutes.

Domination

Another solid Brumbies scrum and set move saw Francis Fainifo dive over, before half-back Patrick Phibbs scurried over from a ruck and then reserve hooker Huia Edmonds sold a dummy and stretched out to score for the bonus point.

They lost Mortlock in that movement when a collision with Tony Woodcock left both on the ground, although Woodcock recovered to play on. Toomua's conversion made it 32-10 with 20 minutes left.

Winger Rene Ranger sparked a mini Blues fightback when he stormed on to a chip and sent All Blacks flyer Joe Rokocoko over.

But it was shortlived when Brumbies reserve Sitaleki Timani scored the hosts' fifth try, five minutes from time.

The Brumbies' chances of a semi-final berth will now be decided in a must-win encounter against the Chiefs in Hamilton next week.