As it happened: Brumbies v Sharks

Send your comments/pictures on the match to MySport@sport24.co.za or 'LIKE' us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

Follow on @herman_mostert or send suggestions to: herman.mostert@sa.24.com

PICTURE

Sharks flank Jean Deysel stopped in his tracks... (Getty Images)

Thanks for tuning in! In next week's action, the Sharks face the Crusaders in Christchurch, while the Brumbies travel to South Africa to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

KEY STATS

Metres run: Brumbies 226-420 Sharks
Carries: Brumbies 64-114 Sharks
Defenders beaten: Brumbies 7-17 Sharks
Clean breaks: Brumbies 3-2 Sharks
Tackles made: Brumbies 97-39 Sharks
Missed tackles: Brumbies 17-7 Sharks
Turnovers won: Brumbies 8-1 Sharks
Kicks in play: Brumbies 47-46 Sharks
Rucks won: Brumbies 35-78 Sharks
Rucks lost: Brumbies 2-4 Sharks
Mauls won: Brumbies 5-9 Sharks
Lineouts won: Brumbies 10-13 Sharks
Lineouts lost: Brumbies 3-3 Sharks
Scrums won: Brumbies 7-2 Sharks
Scrums lost: Brumbies 2-0 Sharks
Penalties conceded: Brumbies 10-12 Sharks

TWEETS

Poor by the Sharks but they were in it the entire way. Lots to take out of that game - Well done @RugbyBrumbies - Judge Rugby

What an ugly mess! That is all. #Sharks - Irene Nell

Well anyone who knows the game would've expected a slug fest between these 2 teams,tough result but taking a point away from Canberra helps! - John Smit

FULL-TIME: Brumbies 16-9 Sharks

Not the best game of rugby in tough conditions, but the Sharks clearly came second best in the tactical kicking department. They do earn a losing bonus point which keeps them at the top of the log standings.

80' - No luck for the Sharks as a Jean Deysel knock-on allows the Brumbies to kick out just inside their own 22m area to end the game...

79' - But there's time for one more lineout - this one is further out though...

79' - However, the Sharks butcher the lineout, and the Brumbies kick out.

79'-  A poor clearance from Mogg gives the Sharks one last attacking chance inside the Brumbies 22m area...

78' - Bismarck is not in trouble, and rightly so. It was just bit of handbags and the referee plays on. Scrum to the Brumbies five metres from their own line...

77' - Bismarck du Plessis could be in trouble here. He was caught pushing a Brumbies player...

77' - Oh dear, the Sharks knock it on! And just as I write, the players are involved in a mass brawl, which sees the TMO called into action for potential foul play...

76' - Another Sharks penalty. They again opt for touch - this time it's five metres out.

74' - The Sharks win a penalty from the ensuing scrum. They opt to kick for touch on the 22m line...

73' - Lwazi Mvovo almost goes scores in the corner, but Brumbies No 9 Nic White comes to the rescue when he dives to get to the ball first.

However, the assistant referee calls play back for a forward pass, so it wouldn't have counted...

71' - Steyn kicks the PENALTY to bring the Sharks back into the game.

Brumbies 16-9 Sharks

70' - Brumbies captain Ben Mowen is penalised for tackling a Sharks player without the ball. Steyn to line up from in front...

PICTURE

Jesse Mogg wins a high ball... (Getty Images)

68' - A Brumbies penalty at the ensuing scrum gives them the chance to get back up-field...

67' - TWEET

Jake must have a good reason but I dunno why he starts Reinach and plays McLeod off bench - Zelim Nel

67' - Oh dear, Chadwick is just on and he knocks it on inside the Brumbies 22m area...

66' - Dale Chadwick also on for The Beast at prop.

65' - Tera Mtembu and Charl McLeod now on for the Sharks. Ryan Kankowski and Cobus Reinach off.

64' - CONVERSION by Lealiifano.

Brumbies 16-6 Sharks

63' - TRY! Brumbies lock Sam Carter breaks through the Sharks line and scores under the posts. It was set up by a great angled run from Nic White. A running line reminiscent of George Gregan there!

62' - But the Sharks clear it - and not too far!

61' - A sniping break on the blindside from Pat McCabe brings the Brumbies into the Sharks 22, but a brilliant steal on the ground from Bismarck du Plessis brings relief for the visitors.

61' - Jannie du Plesis and Odwa Ndungane off for the Sharks. Lourens Adriaanse and SP Marais on.

60' - The Brumbies are winning the aerial battle at the moment. Jesse Mogg showing his class...

57' - This time Lealiifano hits the left-hand upright!

Some horrible goal-kicking in this game...

56' - Another Brumbies penalty from the ensuing scrum! The Bok front row went backwards alarmingly there!

Lealiifano will again line up. This kick's a bit easier...

55' - Another high ball dropped by the Sharks. Ndungane the culprit this time...

52' - Lealiifano's effort hits the right-hand upright... Sharks off the hook.

51' - From the ensuing scrum, the Sharks are penalised.

Lealiifano to line up from about 40m out, 20m in from touch.

51' - JP Pietersen drops an up-and-under inside his own half. The Springbok's hands have let him down badly in recent weeks... Did playing in Japan do him all that good?

48' - For the second time today, Frans Steyn kicks directly into touch from the kick-off!

47' - PENALTY converted by Lealiifano.

Brumbies 9-6 Sharks.

46' - The Brumbies hit right back, and win a penalty, easily within kicking range... Sharks penalised for not rolling away at ruck time.

44' - PENALTY converted by Steyn to level matters.

Brumbies 6-6 Sharks

43' - The Sharks steal the ensuing lineout and are hot on the attack again!

They win a penalty when the Brumbies cynically go off-side. Sharks skipper Bismarck du Plessis is not happy. He feels that should have been a yellow card. He's got a point!

PICTURE

Frans Steyn not having the best of nights... (Getty Images)

42' - A promising start by the Sharks, who launch an attack inside the Brumbies 22m area, but the touchline wins when Lwazi Mvovo is tackled out.

41' - Brumbies wing Joe Tomane is off to hospital with what looks like a broken jaw!

40' - DID YOU KNOW?

The Sharks have now not scored a try in the first half of their last six games!

40' - Welcome back for the second half. Matt Toomua starts proceedings...

FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Brumbies 108-305 Sharks
Carries: Brumbies 34-57 Sharks
Defenders beaten: Brumbies 3-10 Sharks
Clean breaks: Brumbies 1-1 Sharks
Tackles made: Brumbies 41-24 Sharks
Missed tackles: Brumbies 10-3 Sharks
Turnovers won: Brumbies 4-0 Sharks
Kicks in play: Brumbies 28-26 Sharks
Rucks won: Brumbies 23-32 Sharks
Rucks lost: Brumbies 1-3 Sharks
Mauls won: Brumbies 1-5 Sharks
Lineouts won: Brumbies 5-6 Sharks
Lineouts lost: Brumbies 1-1 Sharks
Scrums won: Brumbies 2-1 Sharks
Scrums lost: Brumbies 1-0 Sharks
Penalties conceded: Brumbies 5-8 Sharks

12:24 - PICTURE

Frans Steyn offloads to Jean Deysel (Getty Images)

HALF-TIME: Brumbies 6-3 Sharks

40' - Lealiifano misses the penalty attempt to the left.

39' - However, two minutes later the Sharks are penalised for not scrumming straight. It's in range, close to the touchline...

37' - Massive scrum on halfway from the Sharks though. It puts heaps of pressure on Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White, but he does well to retain possession...

37' - Steyn kicks the ensuing kick-off directly into touch. He is having a shocker!

36' - PENALTY converted by Lealiifano.

Brumbies 6-3 Sharks

35' - The Brumbies now win a kickable penalty in range. 

Lealiifano to line up from about 35m out, almost right out in front...

32' - Steyn is not having a good night. He fails to find touch with a penalty just inside his own half. He kicks it hard though and it goes over the dead-ball line...

30' -  Steyn again misses to the left. 1 out of 4 now from him.

It appears he left his kicking boots at the hotel!

29 - Another shot at goal for Steyn as the Sharks win a penalty close to the touchline...

Consistent, soft rain also coming down now...

27'- No real try-scoring opportunities in this match as yet...

26' - An attacking chance for the Sharks inside the Brumbies 22m area is halted when they are penalised for holding on too long...

25' - TWEET

Sharks working to keep left-footed Mogg on the left side of the field - Zelim Nel

24' - Meanwhile, Sharks centre Paul Jordaan is also in the blood-bin, with Heimar Williams temporarily on.

23' - Replays show the Bok prop went charging into the ruck without using his arms. Just a penalty against him.

23' - The TMO is called into action for potential foul play against Jannie de Plessis.

22' - Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani has passed his concussion test and is back on. Joe Tomane is still off in the blood-bin though...

21' - After 21 minutes, there have been 32 kicks in play. The Sharks with 17 and the Brumbies 15.

19' - It's a good strike from White, but he misses it narrowly to the left...

18' - Sharks prop Jannie du Plessis penalised for going off his feet at a ruck on halfway. Nic White will have a shot at goal...

17' - Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani is off for a concussion test after a big hit on Frans Steyn.

Wing Joe Tomane is also off for blood, but it looks like he took a big knock to his cheekbone. It's swollen up badly. He may not be back!

16' - The Sharks surge back up into the Brumbies 22m area, but lose possession when Jean Deysel knocks it on...

15' - Third time lucky for Steyn, who slots the PENALTY.

Brumbies 3-3 Sharks

14' - Jeepers, another kickable penalty to the Sharks. Moore again the culprit, caught cynically playing the ball in an off-side position.

This kick is right in front for Steyn...

13' - Steyn again misses it badly to the right...

12' - Another kickable penalty to the Sharks as Brumbies lock Sam Carter is penalised for running an obstructive line.

Steyn to line up, about 40m out, 20m in from the touchline...

11' - Steyn pushes his attempt badly to the right...

10' - Brumbies No 2 Stephen Moore is penalised for holding back Sharks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.

Steyn will line up from the touchline...

9' - After 9 minutes of play, already 24 kicks in play. 12 each from both teams!

4' -  An aerial ding-dong kicking affair in Canberra. Two tactical teams, both with Jake White's signature on them...

1'-  PENALTY converted by Christian Lealiifano.

Brumbies 3-0 Sharks

0' - Great start by the Brumbies as wing Joe Tomane rips through the Sharks defence straight from the kick-off. The hosts surge into Sharks territory and win a kickable penalty.

Christian Lealiifano lines up from about 35m out, right in front.

0' - Frans Steyn gets play underway...

11:38 - Welcome to our commentary of this top-of-the-table clash!

New Zealand's Glen Jackson is today's referee.

WHY THE SHARKS ARE UNDERDOGS

Sport24 chief writer Rob Houwing gives the Sharks a fighting chance, but reluctantly leans toward the Brumbies edging their top-of-table clash

Click HERE for Rob's Week 12 preview...

SPORT24 'EXPERT' PICKS

Sport24's self-proclaimed expert - Editor Garrin Lambley - gives you his thoughts on today's match.

Click HERE to listen to Garrin's thoughts...

ARE YOU AT THE GAME?

If so, then send us your pictures and we'll hit the publish button!

Send to: mysport@sport24.co.za

OFFICIALS

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

RECENT RESULTS

2013: Brumbies won 29-10, Durban
2012: Sharks won 29-26, Canberra
2011: Sharks won 34-16, Durban
2010: Brumbies won 24-22, Canberra
2009: Sharks won 35-14, Durban
2008: Brumbies won 27-21, Canberra

TEAMS

Brumbies

15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Fotu Auelua, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Ruaidhri Murphy, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Pat McCabe

Sharks

15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 SP Marais

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and Sharks in Canberra!