The ACT Brumbies have stamped their credentials as Super Rugby AU title favourites after keeping a rival scoreless for the first time in more than five years.
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It is the first time the Brumbies have held their opposition scoreless since they beat the Queensland Reds 29-0 in Brisbane on March 14, 2015.
So as rapt as fans were with the counter-attacking brilliance and the sight of the set piece starting to find its rhythm, there is little doubt as to what stood out for coach Dan McKellar.
The Brumbies' defence repelled wave after wave of Force attacking raids, missing just five tackles in 80 minutes and forcing five turnovers in defence in a performance captain Allan Alaalatoa labels "something to be proud of".
MORE RUGBY UNION
"Very good. That's the most pleasing part, our defence. We've done a lot of work on it. We spoke today about fronting up with physicality from a defensive point of view," McKellar said.
"I thought the boys were really good there. We obviously had some tough calls there for a period there where we were under the pump, but we adjusted and sorted out our discipline.
"We showed that picture they wanted to see. Very pleased."
The bonus-point victory sends the Brumbies four points clear at the top of the Super Rugby AU standings and they have a chance to extend that lead when they face the Reds next week.
Second-placed Queensland will come to Canberra Stadium on Saturday night with their own unbeaten record to protect.
But they will run into a rampant Brumbies side which boasts the defensive resolve and attacking flair to match it with any team in the competition.
The Brumbies won 17 lineouts to the Force's 16, while splitting the scrums eight apiece.
"It's very tough. To keep a side like that to zero, it's something for our squad to be proud of," Alaalatoa said.
"We were very proud of that defensive effort. Our set piece is also something for us to continue to build on and continue to get better at.
"It's definitely been tough [playing Australian derbies every week]. Every week you're building up for a final. Every game we have played so far, our bodies have taken a beating and it probably takes a bit longer to recover.
"For us, to have this comp when you play every Australian team, you want to be the best Australian team and this is definitely the comp to prove it.
"For us, we'll just continue to build on our preparation and build on the physical battle."
AT A GLANCE
Super Rugby AU round four: ACT BRUMBIES 24 (Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Will Miller, Connal McInerney tries; Bayley Kuenzle 2 conversions) bt WESTERN FORCE 0 at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: Damon Murphy.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
