Rugby: Brumbies thrash Cheetahs but still room for improvement

Rocky Elsom. Photo / Getty Images

CANBERRA - Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom has warned the Brumbies they face a tough stretch and must lift their game if they are to challenge for a Super 14 semifinal berth.

With Elsom in strong form, the Brumbies thrashed the hapless Cheetahs 61-15 in Canberra on Saturday night, running in nine tries and securing a much needed first four-try bonus point of the season.

While the huge win leaves the Brumbies just two points out of the top four, they face a tough road to the semis, including away matches against the Waratahs and Crusaders, both above them on the table.

"It was a good performance but it's all still ahead of us," Elsom said.

"It's not as if we have any room for comfort as far as the table goes and also the way we're playing. We've got a bit more to do."

The Brumbies have secured only two bonus points this season - the other for losing by seven or less - and risk a repeat of last season when they missed the semifinals by three points.

They are tied for fifth on 26 points but face a far stiffer challenge this week against the ninth-placed but perennially strong Hurricanes.

And they could be without Matt Toomua, with the five-eighths set to have a scan on his knee today after hitting the post when scoring a try late in the match on Saturday.

Toomua could join a host of Brumbies players on the injured list, with uncertainty remaining over whether George Smith (shoulder) has played his last Super rugby match and Christian Lealiifano already out for the season with a knee injury.

Halfback Josh Valentine is also no certainty to return this week after hurting his knee two weeks ago, while Mitchell Chapman limped from the field in the first half against the Cheetahs with a corked hip.

Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock is, however, expected to make his return against the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, Cheetahs No 8 Kabamba Floors has been suspended for five weeks for a dangerous tackle on Julian Huxley. Floors was cited by Sanzar citing commissioner Scott Nowland for his 77th-minute lifting tackle on the Brumbies fullback.

Huxley, who was part of the Brumbies' starting line-up for the first time since recovering from a brain tumour, emerged from the tackle unhurt.

Sanzar judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan said he hoped the length of the ban, while consistent with previous similar offences, would act as a general deterrent given the increasing number of similar dangerous tackles occurring in Super 14.

- AAP