A Matt Toomua three-try masterclass has catapulted the Brumbies into the Super Rugby finals at the expense of the Western Force in a high-octane 47-25 win at Canberra Stadium.
The seven-tries-to-three bonus-point win on Friday night means the Brumbies are hot favourites to earn a home qualifying final, with only a Highlanders upset over the Crusaders on Saturday night able to deny them fourth spot.
The Force, meanwhile, are knocked out of finals contention in eighth.
As the Force’s now ex-winger Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins would describe it, his side were like “that boy who fell out of the tree, they just weren’t in it.”
And much of the misery suffered in his last game before jetting off to Japan could be put down to Toomua.
The Wallabies back was huge in his first game back since picking up a groin injury against France, providing the backline with direction severely lacking against the Waratahs.
He kept opposite No.10 Zack Holmes honest with several trademark big hits, not to mention crossing twice in the opening 30 minutes.
There was a lot of help from his forwards with Sam Carter and Scott Sio providing front-foot ball thanks partly to halfback Nic White’s snappy delivery.
Toomua set the tone early, taking a quick tap before burrowing over a few phases later to open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Both sides then traded two penalties apiece, before Toomua spotted a mismatch against prop Kieran Longbottom and sliced over.
Toomua was also involved in the Brumbies’ next two tries, spinning the ball wide to set up Jesse Mogg and Henry Speight respectively to claim the four-try bonus point in just the 43rd minute.
The Force were offered a glimpse of hope after a Pek Cowan try in the 54th minute to take the score to 28-13 with the added bonus of a yellow card to Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler.
But Speight soon broke through Cummins and then offloaded to Toomua – who notched up the Brumbies’ first hat-trick since Mark Gerrard in the 2004 grand final.
The two sides both scored two tries each late, with Jayden Hayward and Holmes crossing for the Force, and Joe Tomane and Tom McVerry claiming five-pointers for the Brumbies.
Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher applauded Toomua’s performance.
“He was fantastic. He was on the front foot defensively and made some fantastic decisions on the short side,” he said.
“And again, off the back of some really good hard work by the forwards.”
Fisher said his team benefited from the return of a swag of players, including Wallabies Toomua, Sam Carter, Joe Tomane and Pat McCabe.
“It showed in the quality of the team tonight. It was just a red hot performance,” he said.
Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen said the side had gone into the match looking to shut the competition’s leading pilferer Matt Hodgson down at the breakdown.
“We spoke a lot about denying contests and I don’t think Hodgson got a pilfer tonight – which says a lot about how hard guys worked,” he said.
Force coach Michael Foley said the loss wouldn’t take the gloss off what was a great season for the Force.
“We’re disappointed in that performance tonight, but it’s pretty hard for any one performance to be a defining factor in the season,” he said.
“Early on we didn’t defend well enough. We gave them a couple of tries.”
Bakkies
Guest
I don't get why people think it's a first for the Brumbies to cut loose in attack. They have done it to a few teams this season. I hope the Sharks man up as I can't stand the Saders and Tahs.
Dekka
Guest
I liked the attacking rugby played by the Brumbies. I hope that they will continue with this positive attacking approach in the finals series, because they look a far more menacing and dangerous team when they do. They also have a very good backline, who are capable of causing problems to most opposition teams. Speight was absolutely fantastic and he will make the Wallabies backline very dangerous when he qualifies in September 2014. I am puzzled as to why Mathewson did not start for the Force, because he made a real difference to their attack when he replaced Prior.
Jo
Guest
A very good performance by Zack Holmes as well Jo
Buzzard
Guest
Tony H they are still alive in 2014 and capable of giving the finals series a big shake. I'd rather the Nags over the Tahs any day!
TonyH
Roar Rookie
Since they stopped playing Jakeball, and started keeping ball in hand (even Jessie Mogg), the Brumbies have looked a much more formidable side, especially with Henry Speight's return. They could give the 2015 Super 15 play-offs a big shake!
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
its not a fete accompli that they'll play the Chiefs... the Highlanders could throw a braveheart amongst the religious zealots...
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Yep, you don't become back to back champions with out winning the big games. Brumbies looked but agree regarding the Force. Their midfield has been average, especially in defence, without Kyle Godwin. Well done to the Force on a great season with some gutsy wins. Written off, they were in it right til the end.
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
the most impressive display for me was from Speight...can't wait for him to join the Wallabies right in time for the 2015 RWC tilt. no matter how good Cummins ids for the game with his profile... speight is clearly the superior athlete. Did anyone else notice how the brumbies used their forwards in attack ala the waratahs and played attractive rugby for the first time this season..... my wish that the tahs style would infiltrate the dour jake ball style of sides like the brumbies looks to be beginning... mmmwwwaahhaaaa
TahDan
Roar Guru
Much better from the Brumbies and you'd think they'll have the measure of the chiefs. That said, the force have been pretty ordinary since the test series period and have made a couple teams look good. A few people thought the blues might be bolters for the finals after their demolition of the Force only for them to fade, so it's probably best we don't write the chiefs off yet.