Rugby: Brumbies farewell Giteau in win

Richard Kingi of the Rebels is tackled by Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau of the Brumbies. Photo / Getty Images

Brumbies 32 Rebells 17
Flyhalf Matt Giteau scored a try and had a hand in three others as the Brumbies enjoyed a 32-17 Super Rugby win over the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

The home side scored five tries to two at Canberra Stadium to post their first back-to-back wins since May 2010 and reverse their 25-24 loss in Melbourne earlier this season.

The Rebels claimed an unwanted record, their 12th loss being the worst tally for an Australian side in a Super season.

It consigned the Melbourne side to the wooden spoon in the Australian conference in their maiden year.

Brumbies captain Giteau scored 12 points in his last match in Canberra before joining French side Toulon following the Rugby World Cup later this year.

A crowd of 11,777 farewelled Giteau, winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs and No.8 Mitchell Chapman as the Brumbies played their best game at home in 2011 and their fourth win from 15 games.

Crowds have dwindled during the worst season for the two-time Super champions to an average of 13,114, their lowest since 1999.

Christian Lealiifano put the Brumbies ahead in the third minute as the fullback stepped inside Rebels winger Cooper Vuna for the first try.

Rebels five-eighth Danny Cipriani kicked a penalty to make it 5-3.

But as the first half progressed, the Brumbies' aggressive defence and ability to find gaps in their opponents defensive line bore fruit.

Tries to centre Tyrone Smith and Giteau in four minutes pushed the home side to 18-3 at the break.

Hooker Stephen Moore continued the momentum in the second half in breaking the line from 30 metres out before offloading to inside centre Pat McCabe to cross to the left of the posts for a 25-3 lead after 44 minutes.

But the visitors, led by former Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock, posted tries to breakaway Jarrod Saffy and reserve back Afusipa Taumoepeau in six minutes to narrow the score to 25-17.

Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore's try from a rolling maul settled the match with seven minutes to go.

- AAP