Len Ikitau celebrated a remarkable return to form by scoring a hat-trick in the ACT Brumbies’ 38-21 victory over the Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday evening. This impressive performance marked the end of a try-scoring drought for Ikitau, who hadn’t touched down since May of the previous year.
The match was expected to be challenging for the Brumbies, especially following their emotional triumph over the defending champions, the Blues, at Eden Park. Facing a spirited Drua side fresh off a victory against the top-ranked Chiefs just a week earlier added further pressure.
Nevertheless, Ikitau played a central role in maintaining the Brumbies’ momentum, notching two tries in the first half and another in the second. His scoring spree helped propel the team to second place in the standings, trailing only behind the Chiefs.
Despite stellar performances, Ikitau’s future with the Brumbies might see him absent next season as he prepares to join the Exeter Chiefs in England. However, Rugby Australia aims to secure his return before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham praised Ikitau’s attacking and defensive capabilities, noting his exceptional performance as a centre. Ikitau himself expressed that while he enjoys scoring, he’d rather be assisting in creating tries to avoid post-match interviews. Reflecting on his past performance against the Blues, he acknowledged his disappointment and emphasized the importance of strong support play and defence.
Ikitau also shared a personal touch, mentioning how the joy of welcoming his son, Lennox, helped him cope with missing out on the 2023 World Cup squad. Larkham indicated that the team will take a brief break before an important match against the NSW Waratahs on March 22 in Sydney. This upcoming fixture will serve as a crucial test, especially as the undefeated Waratahs face the Queensland Reds this weekend. Larkham is keen to see how the Waratahs perform, given their dominant forwards and exciting backs.
As the Brumbies prepare for their next challenge, the excitement builds around their continued pursuit of success in the Super Rugby Pacific season.