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Fullback Louis Ludik scored a last-minute try to give the Lions a 25-17 win over the ACT Brumbies in Super 14 rugby on Saturday.
The Brumbies lost the ball in the tackle as they launched a late move from deep in their own territory while trailing 18-17 and Ludik pounced to scramble over the try line.
Rounding off a week in which forwards coach Leon Boshoff was suspended for allegedly making racist remarks about some of the players after the Lions’ heavy defeat the previous week, the hosts started poorly and conceded a penalty in the second minute.
“It was an emotionally difficult week,” Lions coach Loffie Eloff said. “But I take my hat off to them for holding things together and coming out on top today.”
Springbok centre Jaque Fourie hit the line at speed and burst through, juggling the ball before scoring a try for the Lions in the 14th minute.
And when scrumhalf Jano Vermaak rounded off a counter attack after the Brumbies turned the ball over while on attack, it looked as if the Lions might be able to put the game beyond doubt early on.
But the hosts were penalised frequently for ruck offences, captain Cobus Grobbelaar receiving a yellow card just before halftime.
The Brumbies capitalised with Stirling Mortlock running over unchallenged in the 35th minute. The conversion made the score 15-10 to the Lions at the break.
When Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm charged down a poor attempted clearance from Andre Pretorius in the 44th to score before Mortlock converted, the Lions looked as if they might crumble.
But Pretorius kicked a penalty in the 51st for the Lions to lead 18-17 and match the Brumbies in all facets of the game.
“We used some of our opportunities tonight and to win in these circumstances means a lot,” Grobbelaar said.
ACT skipper George Smith said the Brumbies always found the Lions a tough team to beat.
“Cobus led the team very well,” Smith said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.