ACT BRUMBIES flyhalf Christian Lealiifano is ''sick of these tight games'' and urged his teammates to deliver a resounding victory in the coming weeks.
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The Brumbies returned to Canberra yesterday after their heartbreaking last-minute defeat at the hands of the Waikato Chiefs in Tauraunga.
It was the first minor hiccup for the new generation of Brumbies.
A week after booting the Brumbies to victory against the Free State Cheetahs, Lealiifano again showed superb poise to level the score with an intense sideline conversion against the Chiefs.
But just minutes later the Brumbies crumbled under pressure and the Chiefs stole victory with a last-gasp try in the corner.
In their two victories this season, the Brumbies have won by a combined three points.
Another tight win was on the cards until the final seconds of their clash with the Chiefs.
Lealiifano praised the Brumbies for fighting their way back into the match. But he wants the young side to be ruthless and secure a convincing win when they play the Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
''That one really hurts, we're really disappointed because we were on the other end of the tight game this time,'' Lealiifano said.
''I'm sick of these tight games. It's probably good for this side and something for us to build on.
''But hopefully we can put in a good performance and finally put a team away when we get our chances.
''We can't dwell on it, we have to move forward and make sure it doesn't happen again.
In a seesawing arm wrestle against the star-studded Chiefs at Bay Park Stadium two nights ago, the lead changed four times.
The Brumbies levelled the score with four minutes remaining before Jackson Willison snatched victory for the Chiefs with a last-minute try.
The Brumbies' ball control was poor and they turned over possession 20 times.
They had chances to get in front and take control of the match, but they continually stumbled and opportunities were lost.
When the Brumbies drew level, they immediately lost possession when a clearing kick went out on the full. They recovered and stole the lineout, but lost the ball at the ensuing ruck.
Wallabies centre and Brumbies vice-captain Pat McCabe said the team ''ran out of luck''.
Mindful that their season spiralled out of control last year after a last-minute loss to the Melbourne Rebels in round two, McCabe warned his teammates to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
''We had a few close losses last year and we didn't learn from them and grow from them like we needed to,'' McCabe said.
''This is our first real test as a group of how we're going to respond. The feeling I get from everybody is that we all want to learn from it and move forward.''