Rain defeats Brumbies

THE unbeaten Auckland Blues won a close-run Super-12 final by overpowering the ACT Brumbies from Canberra, Australia, by 23-7.

The Blues, defending title-holders of the tri-nation championship, got the edge at their Eden Park home ground through a forward pack led by outstanding captain Zinzan Brooke.

Difficult conditions on a ground drenched by rain frustrated the Brumbies' back line as they tried unsuccessfully to outsmart the New Zealand favourites headed by the All Black front row.

In an unlucky accident the game lost both its star players late in the second half when Brumbies' sparkling scrum half George Gregan clashed heads with the giant Brooke.

Gregan left the field on a stretcher while the Auckland leader and number eight staggered off to be checked for possible concussion. Both were cleared fit in due course.

The Blues secured the first score, a try after 28 minutes that turned the match their way.

Brooke broke the deadlock to smash through the defence and get the ball to prop Craig Dowd who scored.

Although key Brumbie backs like Gregan and Stephen Larkham started up trademark clever moves they were shut out for the bulk of the game by a wet ball and hard Auckland defending.

The home team were 10-0 up by half-time after an Adrian Cashmore penalty kick, and his penalty kicks continued to build points into the second half with two more in 15 minutes.

When Michael Jones intercepted a flat pass across the ACT back line and ran in a classic try, the home team seemed to have it sealed - another Cashmore conversion took the score to 23-0.

Auckland were ground down in defence late in the game, letting in Joe Roff in the 65th minute with a solo run for a try he then converted