Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio starred in his side's 27-19 victory over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific in Canberra on Saturday.
The 24-year-old fly-half attracted attention with his excellent all-round performance, helping the team achieve what no other team has been able to achieve this year, with solid goal-kicking performances and good game management. – A season that brings the Hurricanes their first loss.
In the end, Lorecio contributed 17 points with a brilliant try, three conversions and two penalties.
Other points for the Brumbies came from tries from Tamati Tua and Ollie Sapsford, while for the Hurricanes Xavier Noumia (2 goals) and Jordie Barrett scored tries, with Brett Cameron converting several times. .
Click here for scorers
Lolesio's performance will also be a timely reminder to new Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt of his abilities since he last represented Australia in 2022. Former Wallabies manager Eddie Jones has determined that Lorecio meets the requirements for 2023.
Lolesio passed the ball around to the Brumbies in Canberra and scored the opening try with a cross in the opening five minutes.
This came after the home side launched a lineout drive deep in the Hurricanes half, with Ryan Lonergan finding Lorecio with a well-timed pass, and the fly-half crossed the whitewash in the left corner.
What a seal on the first try of the match 💪
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He brushed himself off and added another point from the touchline, but the Hurricanes responded with Numia's first five-point shot in the 12th minute.
Cameron's conversion attempt went wide and Brumbies dominated the rest, with Lolesio taking the lead and scoring three more tries before half-time.
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Tua slipped through a gaping hole in the Hurricanes defense to score a try in the 16th minute and showed his class moments later when Sapsford curled in nicely after the ball went through a couple of hands in the build-up.
Lolesio converted both successfully and added a penalty in the 27th minute, with Numia scoring his second try five minutes later, with the Brumbies holding a 24-12 lead at halftime.
Game 2 was a very close game as the Hurricanes tried to close the gap, but they only scored in that period early in the first half.
First, Lolesio converted his second penalty in the 45th minute, followed by Barrett's goal a minute later and Cameron added the conversion.
And although the Super Rugby Pacific side made several attacks during the remainder of the match, they were kept at bay by the Brumbies' tenacious defense.
team
Brumby: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Charlie Keil, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob – Valetini, 5 Cadine Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Alan Araratoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacement: 16 Conal McInerney, 17 Blake Shope, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Jarome Brown, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreceny, 23 Andy Muirhead
Hurricane: 15 Reuben Love, 14 Kini Nahoro, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Jordy Barrett, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Duplessi Kilifi, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Isaiah Walker-Rareware, 4 Caleb Delaney, 3 Tyrell Lomax, 2 James O'Reilly, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacement: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pacilio Tosi, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Riley Higgins, 23 Baylin Sullivan.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referee: Damon Murphy (Australia), Jeremy Markey (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
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