Southern Inland extended its dominance over its closest rivals with a 49-7 win over Monaro in the final game of the Brumbies Provincial Tournament at Conolly Rugby Complex on Monday.
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The Rams fired from the beginning as Monaro had no answers for its dominant display.
Albury’s superiority was also on show with all seven Southern Inland tries coming courtesy of Steamers players.
Player of the tournament Liam Krautz crossed for a double as did James Olds.
Wagga City’s James Curgenven was the only non-Albury player for SIRU on the scoreboard with six conversions.
An early error forced by captain Richard Manion set the tone for the match, as Southern Inland dominated in every aspect of the game.
While Manion was forced from the field after splitting his eye in the collision, Southern Inland didn’t suffer too much in his short absence.
Albury’s new South African recruit Lex Botha soon had Southern Inland on the scoreboard.
The centre has too much speed for his rivals, as he shot through a gap to score from 20 metres out.
Albury teammate Ash Leferve doubled SIRU’s advantage when he scored from close range before both teams settled into the game.
Monaro had chances to hit back, but couldn’t find any inroads due to Southern Inland’s brutal defence.
Showing a big improvement from the 75-3 win over South Coast on Saturday, the defensive effort was one of the most pleasing aspects for coach Richard Turnbull.
“Defensively it was really good as they kept them scoreless for a while,” he said.
“They couldn’t find a way to get through which was really good.”
Botha had a big hand in his team’s third try with his offload putting Krautz in under the posts as Curgenven kicked truly for a 21-0 just on half-time.
Olds then put his mark on the game with a brilliant try early in the second half.
Scooping up a bad pass on his knees, Olds got off the deck and danced past three defenders to score.
Leeton centre Farrel Moata replaced Botha and had an immediate effect, forcing an error before four plays later slipping an inside ball to put Manion into a gap to score SIRU’s fifth try.
Manion then sent Krautz over before Monaro was finally able to crack SIRU’s defence when Stan Williams charged over the line late.
Monaro captain David Akkersdyk shone on a poor day for his team.
SOUTHERN INLAND 49 (L Krautz 2, J Olds 2, L Botha, A Leferve, R Manion tries; J Curgenven 6, J Olds cons) d MONARO 7 (S Williams try; J Roarty con)
Albury and Ag College have dominated the Brumbies Provincial team named to take on NSW Country next Saturday.
Five Steamers and five Aggies have been named by Richard Turnbull for the clash at Canberra Stadium.
Ash Leferve, Liam Krautz, Richard Manion, Lex Botha and James Olds will represent the border club in the 23-man squad.
The former Ag College coach has also named Stu Garrett, Tom Dunstan, Ben Leaper, Tanian Naude and Sam Hobbs for the game.
As expected Southern Inland players have the lion’s share of the places with 16 players selected.
Seven Monaro were selected with no South Coast players picked.
The timing of the game will leave a massive hole in the Steamers’ line up for the battle of the two undefeated teams as they host Leeton at Murrayfield.
In contrast, the Phantoms don’t have a player picked in the representative team.
Ag College’s premier division hopes have also suffered a hit, with the club needing a win when it travels to Young on Saturday.
BRUMBIES PROVINCIAL SQUAD: Stu Garrett, Jock Munro, Tom Dunstan, Peter Vorster, Ash Leferve, Ben Leaper, Tanian Naude, Liam Krautz, Sam Hobbs, Richard Manion, James Curgenven, Lex Botha, James Olds, Rambo Lagaali, Chris Latu, Gearin Price, Andrew Goslett, David Akkersdyk, Mick Webber, Aiden Greaves, Christopher O’Shannesy, Matt Caldwell.
Originally published as SIRU too fast and strong for Monaro by the Daily Advertiser.
