ACT Brumbies secure Super Rugby clean sheet in dominant win over Moana Pasifika

Brumbies become first team in Super Rugby Pacific to keep opponents scoreless in 2025 season.

Allan Alaalatoa of the ACT Brumbies in action during the round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match against Moana Pasifika at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, New Zealand, on April 19, 2025. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

ACT Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa praised his squad’s determination and discipline after they became the first team in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season to keep a clean sheet, shutting out Moana Pasifika 24-0 in a gritty contest on Saturday in Pukekohe. The historic Brumbies clean sheet Super Rugby victory underscored the team’s defensive resilience, even while being tested by yellow cards and a dangerous Moana attack.

Despite the final scoreline suggesting a comfortable win, the Brumbies were made to work hard against a Moana Pasifika side known for their explosive, free-flowing style. The match remained scoreless until just after the halftime siren, when winger Corey Toole ignited the scoreboard with a dazzling try. The lightning-fast finisher chased down a well-placed chip from Andy Muirhead and touched down in the corner, providing the Brumbies with much-needed momentum.

Brumbies weather pressure before unleashing second-half brilliance

The Brumbies' clean sheet wasn’t without adversity. They played through two yellow cards—Tom Hooper and Tom Wright were both sent to the bin—but their defensive line held firm. Alaalatoa credited the team’s unity and work ethic during those challenging moments.

“I think for us we just had to hustle hard for each other,” said Alaalatoa in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “We had two yellow cards and still didn’t give any points away. The most pleasing part was to keep their side at zero points and show our attacking flair.”

Toole’s try after halftime opened the floodgates, with the winger adding a second before the final whistle. Replacement hooker Billy Pollard also crossed the tryline twice, capping off a performance that balanced clinical attack with relentless defensive effort. The Brumbies' forwards laid a strong platform, consistently disrupting Moana's rhythm at the breakdown and holding firm inside their own 22.

Coach Larkham hails defence as key in Brumbies shutout win

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham, himself a former Wallabies great, praised the players for their physicality and attention to defensive detail in what he described as one of their most complete performances this year.

“Obviously to come away against Moana, with the form they have had this year, with a win, we’re very happy with that,” Larkham said. “Keeping them to zero also shows that our preparations were really good from a defence point of view.”

“I thought the boys fronted up defensively. I don’t know what the stats are, but it feels like we only missed a couple of tackles out there.”

Moana Pasifika, despite sitting in 10th on the ladder and having the worst defensive record in the competition, had managed to score 291 points across the season before the Brumbies match—making the Canberra side’s shutout all the more impressive.

Brumbies stay in touch with leaders after statement win

The Brumbies’ dominant victory not only keeps them entrenched in third place on the Super Rugby Pacific table, but also sends a message to their rivals. With four points separating them from the top two sides—the Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders, who both secured wins over the weekend—the Brumbies remain very much in the hunt for top seeding heading into the business end of the season.

Their ability to withstand pressure and deliver clinical moments of brilliance when it mattered reflects a side with genuine championship aspirations. Toole’s blistering pace on the wing has become one of the team’s major assets, while Pollard’s strength from the bench continues to pay dividends.

Clean sheet achievement underscores Brumbies' growth in 2025 season

No other team in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition has held their opponent scoreless—a feat that highlights how far the Brumbies have come in sharpening their defensive structures. The team has now won key matchups while limiting opposition chances, a significant evolution from early rounds where their defence occasionally faltered.

The Brumbies clean sheet Super Rugby performance in Pukekohe was not just about stats or standings—it represented a benchmark of the discipline and culture instilled under Larkham’s leadership.

With the finals approaching, this clean sheet performance could become a defining moment in their season. The victory over Moana Pasifika adds to a growing list of impressive results and gives the Brumbies added belief that they can compete with, and contain, the top-tier attacking teams in the competition.

Alaalatoa leads by example as Brumbies eye Super Rugby finals push

Skipper Allan Alaalatoa’s leadership continues to be a cornerstone for the Brumbies. His calm presence under pressure, especially during the two yellow-card periods, steadied the squad and reinforced a never-say-die attitude that has defined the Brumbies' resurgence this year.

“Our team takes a lot of pride in the jersey,” Alaalatoa said. “You saw that in the way we defended. We didn’t give them an inch.”

Looking ahead, the Brumbies will aim to build on the momentum of their shutout win as they gear up for a crucial stretch of fixtures that could shape their playoff positioning.

Their next matches will be critical not only in terms of ladder positioning but also as opportunities to continue refining their systems against more dangerous sides. While their attack has proven efficient, it’s their ability to shut down dynamic offences—like Moana’s—that could prove the difference in knockout rugby.

Brumbies’ shutout sends warning to Super Rugby contenders

The Brumbies clean sheet Super Rugby win against Moana Pasifika may not have featured fireworks from the opening whistle, but it was a match that showcased the hallmarks of a championship-calibre side: composure, discipline, and ruthless execution.

With key players like Corey Toole and Billy Pollard stepping up, and with Alaalatoa leading a squad that refuses to be rattled, the Brumbies have reasserted themselves as serious contenders.

Their ability to keep a side scoreless in modern Super Rugby is a rarity—and a warning shot across the competition. As the finals draw nearer, few teams will relish facing a Brumbies outfit capable of turning defence into dominance.