VIDEO: Brumbies edge bumbling Sharks
The Sharks were their own worst enemy throughout the match due to poor decision-making, silly errors and array of penalties.
The Brumbies were also down to 14 men at two stages during the game due to yellow cards, but the Sharks could not take full advantage due to their unimaginative play.
Both sides scored two tries. Brumbies flyhalf Wharenui Hawera scored 14 of his team's points with the boot.
A confident Brumbies side took to the field, keen to get back to the level that saw them win the Australian conference last season.
Having seen Hawera slot his first penalty goal from 50 metres out, the Brumbies fans got a glimpse of the type of attacking rugby the team is capable of.
Camped on the Sharks line, a slight variation off slow ball saw the pill delivered behind Henry Speight's back to Andy Muirhead who calmly put Lausii Taliauli over for the Brumbies opening try. Hawera added the extras to leave the score at 10-0 to the Brumbies.
A yellow card to Lachlan McCaffery for repeated team infringements saw the Brumbies down a man for the rest of the first half. Despite the numerical advantage, the Sharks only managed to add a penalty to their score, leaving the tally at 10-3 to the Brumbies going into the break.
It was probably the Brumbies best half of footy in 2018, and things got better just after half-time.
Rory Arnold managed to break the line, and popped to Joe Powell. Powell swivelled and found McCaffrey. The birthday boy, keen to make up for his yellow card, put on some footwork, drew the Sharks defence before releasing Henry Speight into space and the Fijian flyer did the rest, scoring to extend the Brumbies lead.
The Sharks were not done however and after Alan Alaalatoa received his ten minute marching orders for collapsing the Sharks maul, opposite number Thomas Du Toit was able to bowl over for the Sharks in the 56th minute.
The Brumbies didn't panic however, and on two successive occasions Hawera was called upon to deliver three points and deliver he did.
Hawera, called in to the starting XV this week, was fabulous in all areas for the Brumbies, his magical boot the difference on the day.
The Sharks made it interesting in the end, Curwin Bosch scoring a try late in proceedings, but it wasn't enough to spoil the Brumbies evening.
Man of the match: Brumbies flyhalf Wharenui Hawera kicked his team to a victory with 14 points and gets the award.
The scorers:
For Brumbies:
Tries: Taliauli, Speight
Con: Hawera
Pens: Hawera 4
For Sharks:
Tries: Du Toit, Bosch
Cons: R du Preez 2
Pen: R du Preez
Yellow cards: Lachlan Mccaffrey (Brumbies, 38 – repeated infringements at the breakdown); Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies, 52 – repeated infringements at maul)
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Andrew Muirhead, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Lausii Taliauli, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Lachlan Mccaffrey, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga'a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal Mcinerney, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Tom Banks.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Jacobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Wian Vosloo, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Tyler Paul, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: William Houston (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
@BrumbiesRugby & @rugby365com
