Substitute Mack Hansen has nailed a penalty kick after the siren to give the Brumbies a thrilling 22-20 Super Rugby AU victory over the Queensland Reds.
The Brumbies remain unbeaten in Super Rugby AU after breaking the Queensland Reds’ hearts.
Young substitute Hansen nailed a penalty with the last kick of the game at GIO Stadium to send the small army of Brumbies fans into raptures on Saturday night.
About 40m out, the 22-year-old’s kick never looked like missing to lift the Brumbies a game-and-a-half clear on top of the ladder.
“He’s (Hansen) a Canberra boy who’s been supporting the Brumbies since he was a toddler,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
“For him to step up with confidence and kick a clutch penalty goal was brilliant so really proud of him.”
The Reds appeared to have secured their first victory in the nation’s capital since 2014 after controlling much of the second half.
But they let a six-point lead slip in the closing stages, with the Brumbies’ Connal McInerney scoring a 74-minute try which wasn’t converted.
But the Brumbies, still down by a point, piled on the pressure in the dying seconds before earning the match-winning penalty.
Their fourth win of the season came through early and late onslaughts, charging out to a 14-0 lead before conceding score 20 consecutive points.
The Reds did all their scoreboard damage in just a few minutes either side of halftime to stun the home side.
Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a scored a pair of tries through rolling mauls in the opening 30 minutes to have the visitors on the back foot.
But talented young star Jordan Petaia, who made a faultless return in his first match since dislocating his shoulder in February, set the Reds alight.
The 20-year-old looked to have scored the Reds’ first try on the cusp of halftime, but it was disallowed and a penalty awarded to the Brumbies.
However, the Wallabies prodigy would not be outdone, producing a magical offload to Harry Wilson who crossed just after the break to whittle away at the Brumbies’ 14-3 halftime lead.
That play started a period of dominance for the Reds, who scored again through flanker Angus Scott-Young just three minutes later.
Queensland captain Liam Wright said the Reds only had themselves to blame for the defeat.
“Lots of discipline issues, which is just costing us, but the Brumbies are a class outfit and know when to take the pressure,” he told Fox Sports.
“We don’t want to be chasing 14 points like that early.”
Marlin
Roar Rookie
Berry was one of the Brum's better players - but the Reds lineout was a shambles
Selwyn
Guest
I fully agree with you, brumbies backline need to do things at pace abit to give guys like Wright, banks, kata some space to create damage. It's true that they must do with receiving the ball in a still standing position which makes it almost impossible to penetrate the reds defense.
Agree RT, wish WR will revamp the maul laws
Yes the dummy runner is a tricky one. It is not always clear obstruction, but sometimes I see a move and think to myself, though it isn’t physically obstructing a player it visually obscures the ball carrier and what he does.
ScottD
Roar Guru
You'd better not say positive stuff like that or the Thorne haters will get you
jeznez
Roar Guru
I had little talent RT but made up for it in the dark spaces.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
You Jeznez must of had a death wish :happy:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Which wins them games in an industry where winning is the only currency
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I agree wholeheartedly Biltongbek and had my say on Geoff’s Wrap today. To me it is shepherding and obstruction. If that is allowed let the defender come in from the side to confront the ball carrier. They don’t allow shepherding or obstruction in other facets of the game
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
You lot can argue all day about the technicalities of penalty process no penalty. The reds again let them seven down with sloppy penalties early in the game to let the Brumbies score their typical boring line out tries. I also think in the 2nd if the Brumbies did not score they would have had a player in the bin. Before COVID the reds lost to many games by giving away Kickable penalties and this was no different. Champion teams have discipline and the Reds are not quite there. You can be the better rugby team every week but if you don’t have the discipline throughout the 80 you will find it hard.
Christian Punch
Guest
Great kick to win the game, his technique is textbook. I was impressed by the way he follows through the ball, really getting all his hip and core power through while maintaining his shoulder position and allowing his body to fall away.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Without a decent ten the Brumbies are just a 1 trick pony show... kick to the line and drive it in. Got the job done but I’d rather watch paint dry than the boring show they played. They were out played all over the park and can only thing of 3 players who were better than their opposite number. Allatoa, Powell and the 12.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Always thought Banks was a little over rated and maybe needed a little time to grow into a more consistent player. That performance was below average and unless he can pull his head out he won’t be anywhere meet a wallabies squad this year.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Would have to rewatch, but I'm pretty sure he created two linebreaks down Brums left touchline in the 2nd half...
Theoddosia
Guest
Tricky - lawsuit ?? - since we are again talking about law interpretation can anyone point me to the law regarding obstruction eg in a backline move where player A loops around player B who acts as a dummy runner. I figured its Law 10 and offside but the words dont really cover it. I assume its illegal as I rarely see it in recent rugby but now the dummy runner just runs aimlessly in front of a backline move without anyone running behind him to act as a shield.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Actually haven't listened to a thing he has said for a couple of years now. I honestly just don't think Jock is up for it yet.
soapit
Roar Guru
imagine their surprise when you surface behind enemy lines. i spose the only issue is being able to hold your breath for long enough
As a South zafrican we often get criticized about mauling as a try scoring tactic. My only solution to stop a maul is legalise pulling it down. Now some say you can’t because it risks injury, I don’t think it will, sacking a maul before it is in motion is legal, in my view 90% of mauls are just legalised obstruction. Pull it down I say, if the attackin* team can get through then they deserve a try.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
A well executed rolling maul us a thing of beauty.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Agreed James. He should be there and thereabouts but as he's still to play a test I'd like to see him eased into it. I do think though that he needs a shot he's played marvellously for the brums and has improved out of sight.