The Brumbies will stride into the Super Rugby finals on the back of their best winning streak in 12 years after dominating the Queensland Reds 40-27 in foggy, freezing Canberra.
The Brumbies’ deadly rolling maul again caused the damage as Australia’s 2019 conference winners recovered from an early deficit to ride roughshod over the the Reds on Saturday night.
Dan McKellar’s men piled on six tries to three to run out emphatic winners at GIO Stadium.
In registering six straight victories for only the second time, the Brumbies secured a crucial home quarter-final next Saturday night in the nation’s capital.
Their opponents won’t be determined until two South African derbies are played out on Sunday morning.
But whether they face the Bulls, Sharks, Lions, Stormers or the fast-finishing Chiefs or Highlanders from New Zealand, skipper Christian Lealiifano said the Brumbies would enter the play-offs brimming with belief.
“We’re pleased with the way we’re performing at the moment and the growth in the team has been nice,” Lealiifano said.
“So we’ve just got to continue to keep working hard and hopefully we’ve got another few more weeks to go.
“Hopefully it doesn’t matter who we get.”
The Reds led early through Bryce Hegarty’s converted try in the seventh minute, but paid the price for spending a quarter of the game playing a man down after hooker Taniela Tupou and veteran back-rower Scott Higginbotham were both issued yellow cards late in the opening half.
Tupou’s sin-binning proved a particular turning point.
Reds halfback Matt McGahan thought he’d extended the visitors’ lead to at least 12-0, with a conversion to come, but his runaway intercept effort was overturned.
The television match official, in consultation with referee Paul Williams, deemed Tupou had caught Lealiifano high and “too forceful” in the lead-up.
Instead of enjoying a commanding lead, the Reds quickly found themselves trailing 19-10 at the break after Lachlan McCaffrey cashed in on the Brumbies’ first rolling maul before Higginbotham was marched for deliberately trying to pull down another in the shadow of halftime.
While the Brumbies celebrated Wallabies prop Scott Sio’s 100th Super Rugby game with further tries to Sam Carter and Tom Wright to blow the hosts’ lead out to a match-winning 33-10, Japan-bound Reds captain Samu Kerevi bowed out in losing fashion.
“I’ve had an awesome time in the Queensland jumper,” Kerevi said.
“I’ve been blessed with all the opportunities I’ve got and really honoured to captain this team.”
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah yeah the Reds are going to be better next year. Been hearing that for a while.
joe
Guest
I don't agree that is was high, even the referee said it was not high ! but it could have been and was to hard ! imagine that , what a joke that decision .
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Pretty crowded pool in the middle/bottom so i think that's harsh. But won't argue that higher would be more reassuring. In reality the SA conference were the big improvers this year meaning qld gains were less noticeable.
deadwood
Roar Rookie
Thinking Reds supporters are impatient after 8 poor years is a little harsh. No matter how much lipstick you put on it second last is not a pass mark in any competition.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Correct PeterK.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
'More legally' PK? Rule of law, it's either legal or it isn't.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Sorry I'm blaming Agnes when in truth it was Paul Williams.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Yep Paul D, Agnes own words 'too much force and nearly contact to the head'. Therefore a yellow card from Agnes, completely wrong interpretation of the law in my view. I didn't hear if there was any comment from Agnes or the TMO about the use of arms in the tackle.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Ahh, all clear at last. Don't tackle a player above the waist in case the force of the tackle creates a head clash. Clearly the safest thing to do is politely stand to one side and wave the player through. Stupid and inconsistent decision yet again. When is SAANZAR going to bring consistency to refereeing?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I’m with you all on these last 3 comments and I think that what is happening in Queensland is good for Australian rugby, particularly for 2023. I just see too many supporters expecting immediate results. “Lord give me patience, but give it to me NOW!”
Cornchips
Guest
I guess I didn't know that a penalty try has to be accompanied by a yellow. I've seen videos and pictures clearly showing higgs rebinding from the side and bringing it down. I don't think it was a incorrect call, just felt the added yellow was unnecessary.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ also hope rebels sign up QC again. Genia isn’t as necessary, he stopped putting his body on the line after the first half of the season and one of the reasons why rebels went pear shaped” I’ve been scratching my head regarding about what happened in Melbourne Peter. We all knew that the season went wobbly after the robbery in SA but they shoulda been made of sterner stuff? Genia’s form was poor. Coleman was invisible or injured. Jones started well then disappeared. Philip did his quiet best. Naisarani is only one bloke. But essentially they lost their ‘glue’. Something went amiss in the leadership I’m guessing - from coaching to tight 5 and on field captains. I don’t expect anyone to speak publicly but something went wrong. The two worst results had two different 5/8’s so slating the massacres home to one of them doesn’t make sense.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
100% Rhys. The Reds quality of play has significantly this year particularly in defence. They're performance against the Tahs and Rebs let them down this year but they're future looks good. With Lucas and Petaia coming back next year things look good really. Looking forward to hearing what signings might be in the wings. Interesting that Rebs haven't actually signed Genia or Cooper yet and have no money. Given the hassle Thorn copped paying QCs salary it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Good for you Rhys. Need more positive fans, and the Reds certainly have some exceptional young players. I hope Thorn can realise their potential, as I think that for the next few years the Wallabies will likely be built around the Brumbies and Reds.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
"However not their discipline." According to Fox Rugby Stats the Red's penalty count is tenth in the comp, not high at all. They had the third highest number of sin-binnings equal with three other teams, though until last night they were also way down the list for those, and they had one send-off which is all any team had. Finally their error rate is the lowest in the comp, so I don't see how that indicates a major problem with discipline. "They will not go anywhere next year either with the loss of so many good players. Does seem like a lot of players can’t wait to get away from playing under BT." As you indicate down the page they are losing no more players than any other Australian franchise. Higgers and Naiavalu are older players who were expected to leave after this season anyway and while it is a shame to lose Paia'aua and Timu, it is not unexpected for a couple of mid-career players who are on the outer for Wallabies selections. Kerevi is the biggest loss, but if somebody must be blamed for it it is on Rugby Australia for not offering him enough money before he signed for Suntory. What the Reds have to replace him though is more talented young players who have gained experience this season, than any other Aussie franchise. They also have a couple of absolute gun backs, Petaia and Lucas, who respectively couldn't play a big role due to injury and under 20s this year, who will be back. Finally they have a salary cap which is relatively free of high salary experienced players, which will allow them to make some good purchases. I would take that situation heading into 2020 over the situation of the Tahs and Rebels, who have a lot of older, expensive players who have failed in 2019 and very little new talent to replace them. Any. Day. Of. The. Week.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Yes. Reds loosies are looking good. QLD has produced a lot of them over the years. Pity Gill didn't hit the scene 12 months earlier. Aus would have been better off. Higg's discipline really hamstrung his potential. Damaging ball runner. Good defensively. Great in the lineout. But too much off the ball and silly stuff. He had a season as captain and number 8 for the rebels a few years back that i hoped was a turning point. But then appeared to fall out with cheika. Like more than a few others.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Arnold, IMO grabbed the reds winger's jersey above the armpits therefore should be a penalty. As for Tupou's offence he was YC because his tackle was "too forceful". CLL head snapped back onto Thor's shoulder after the initial hit. What a joke. Very poor game by Paul Williams. Didn't keep a good gap in the lineouts & scrum management was shocking. Should've gone upstairs to look at McCaffery's & the penalty try because it was on the far side of him. This is from a guy who's going to the WC, unbelievable.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
I tend to agree. The Reds young loose forwards have been looking good without the old guard anyway.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Higginbotham's lack of discipline is a liability for whichever team he's on. It's been a weakness his whole career.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
That's a lot of experience departing these shores. The NRC with all it's problems is going to be very important in finding players to fill the spaces.