Brumbies down the Lions 24-13
Brumbies flyhalf Matt Giteau says his side will need to improve their execution after coming away with a win but failing to earn a vital bonus point.
The Brumbies made a victorious return to Canberra Stadium in their first home game of the 2010 Super 14 season on Friday night, downing the Johannesburg Lions 24-13.
It was the home side's second win on the trot and now leaves them with three wins from the first four rounds.
But despite dominating the possession and territory stakes, the Brumbies were unable to score a fourth-try for a bonus point.
Giteau, in his first game back in front of the Canberra faithful after a stint with the Western Force, struggled to settle in the match played in wet conditions.
The Wallabies playmaker said his side will need to be more patient and improve their execution if they are to be finals contenders.
He conceded failing to come away with a bonus point was a lost opportunity.
"I think we're rushing a little bit, probably panicking too much, but we still got a win," Giteau said.
"It's was a good win but we've got to start getting bonus points."
"Our forwards were great. I thought they laid a platform ... but our execution needs to be better."
The Brumbies set up the win with a dominant forwards display while the Lions, coming into the match with eight changes including an entire new front row, struggled to find cohesion.
The loss leaves the Lions, winless so far in 2010, without a win in Canberra from nine attempts.
Giteau, who kicked four from four, conceded he put in a mixed personal performance.
He got off to a poor start, kicking the ball out on the full twice in the first two minutes, first from the kick-off and then from a penalty one minute later.
"The first half I was in a rush to try and create things and in the second half I tried to play a more controlling game and I think that worked for me."
Brumbies coach Andy Friend said it was a bitter-sweet victory.
"I am happy that we've won obviously but disappointed that we didn't get a fourth try," he said.
Friend was also critical of the errors his side made at crucial times in the match.
"I thought some of our execution, some of our decisions let us down. We need to be better than that."
"We left a lot of points out there on the paddock."
The Brumbies now have eight days to prepare for the Sharks in Canberra next Saturday.
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