The Brumbies have the satisfying news that a development side has put Samoa to the sword at Viking Park last night:
The ACT XV have come home with the wind in their sail to knock Samoa A over 58-19 in the opening round of the Pacific Rugby Cup in Wanniassa on Friday.
Packed with 16 contracted University of Canberra Brumbies players, the ACT side laid on nine tries in total, with Robbie Coleman grabbing a double and Jordan Rapana, Etienne Oosthuizen, Scott Sio and Tevita Kuridrani their first in state colours.
The Samoans scored first through their tighthead prop early, but couldn’t keep the momentum flowing long enough to dent the ACT’s prospects. A darting break down the right touchline to Coleman followed by a clever play from the back of a scrum sent Prior over for the ACT’s first try, the scrumhalf showing his gymnastic skills to plant the ball in the right corner.
Going to the sheds leading by 10 at half time, the game was rarely in doubt from there as the home side laid on a bounty of tries from right across the field.
For the ACT side, Colby Faingaa and Prior had strong games while Auelua also shone in his first game as skipper of a Canberra side.
The ACT XV face the Tongan A team next Thursday afternoon in the second round of the Pacific Rugby Cup.