Brumbies 13-6 Lions: Lions edge past Brumbies
Last Updated: 12/05/17 5:31pm
The Lions won their third Australian tour game with a resilient 13-6 Super Rugby win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
They got off to a slow start, trailing 3-0 at halftime, before beating the Brumbies for their 10th win in 11 matches in Super Rugby.
It was only the Johannesburg-based Lions' second win in Canberra, but a victory based on an outstanding defensive effort and a battle of wills.
It was the Lions' biggest scalp on their Australian tour following a 24-15 win over the Western Force and 47-10 triumph over the Melbourne Rebels.
The stats bear out the Lions' stoic performance. They had just 40 per cent possession, 44 per cent territory and made 136 tackles.
The turning point came in the 54th minute when the Lions swooped on a loose pass inside their own half by Brumbies fullback Aidan Toua and Kwagga Smith outpaced the defence in a 65-metre dash to the try-line.
Elton Jantjies kicked a conversion and a penalty while Andries Coetzee landed a penalty goal after the full-time siren.
The hard-fought victory protected the Lions' lead at the top of the South Africa 2 conference from the Sharks and strengthens their chances of hosting a home quarter-final.
It was the Brumbies' fourth straight defeat and yet somehow they still lead the mediocre Australian conference, with the Waratahs having a bye this weekend.
The Brumbies were their own worst enemy, conceding 17 turnovers, missing 11 tackles and making 10 handling errors.
The Lions return home and will host the Northern Bulls next weekend, while the Brumbies go on the road and face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.