Brumbies book home Super Rugby AU decider

By Melissa Woods / Wire

The Brumbies will host the Super Rugby AU grand final in Canberra after shaking off a gritty Western Force to earn a 31-14 victory in the penultimate round on Friday night.

The Brumbies moved to 28 competition points on the back of the win to secure the decider, seven points clear of nearest rivals Queensland, who have a bye this round, with only a maximum of five points on offer in the final regular match.

The leading side will advance straight through to host the grand final on September 19 against the winner of the qualifying final between the second and third placed teams the week prior.

“It’s really special (to host the grand final),” Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa told Fox Sports.

“We try not to think about that and try to execute our game plan but we need to continue to build momentum next week against the Reds.”

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

While the Brumbies may have clinched the result they were after, they were made to work for it by the fearless West Australian side who scored first in the eighth minute through Fergus Lee-Warner.

The home side really only broke free in the 65th minute when replacement back Len Ikitau scored for a 22-14 lead, with winger Andy Muirhead crossing late for their fifth try to secure a bonus point.

The Brumbies led 10-7 at halftime, with classy Wallabies halfback Nic White a stand-out after replacing Joe Powell early in the second half.

White fired a pass for a 50-minute try to flanker Will Miller and then put Ikitau across when he took control with a quick tap before finding his man, with the Force defence caught short.

Amy Perrett, the first female to referee a Super Rugby match, had her hands full in the first half when the Brumbies had two tries disallowed within two minutes for a knock-on and then obstruction.

They got third time lucky four minutes later through Tom Wright to trail 5-7 and edged ahead just before halftime when fullback Tom Banks scored his first try of the Super Rugby AU.

Force skipper Ian Prior lamented another fade-out but was pleased with the way they responded after a 52-point thrashing by Queensland.

“We were pretty gutted with the result tonight – same thing again – a couple of crucial penalties there… swings the momentum of the game,” Prior said.

“I’m really proud of the effort the boys showed as we were hurting after last week’s result and I’m really proud of the way we bounced back.”

The Crowd Says:

2020-08-30T08:13:37+00:00

Katipo

Guest


I'm looking forward to the first ever all-Australian Super Rugby finals. We shouldn't under-estimate how good the qualifying final and final can be for Australian rugby. We should be talking up the finals. The players must love this opportunity to play finals footy and determine the best in the nation. This is something they deserve to play every season. Let's hope RA and the broadcasters see the sense in investing in an Australian national rugby championship (of some form or other) every season from now on.

2020-08-29T23:36:57+00:00

mzilikazi

Roar Pro


Needs to be a Qld voice in here ! Brumbies will go out expecting to win in Canberra, and that is something we can exploit. That is if we do contest the final. I think the Brumbies have weaknesses, which I'm not prepared to divulge yet......bit tongue in cheek that comment ! Brisbane game next week will be a fair indicator of where Qld. are at currently. Our selection needs to remain consistent in the starting backrow, at scrum half, and at fullback. In the end, a lot will depend on which team gets the bounce of the ball, and the 50/50 calls, especially at the breakdown. And I would be avoiding lineouts, go for taps and scrums. And would be working on Wilson's control at the back of the scrum. Greaty game to look forward to !

2020-08-29T05:18:44+00:00

elysiusrugby

Roar Rookie


Long term too. Can't see Powell staying having to compete for a spot in the 23.

2020-08-29T04:39:42+00:00

Richie

Roar Rookie


The bench players do make it hard at the selection table.

2020-08-29T04:13:43+00:00

elysiusrugby

Roar Rookie


Agree but I think Laurie Fisher deserves much of the credit. The real test for McKellar is deciding who to start and long term options with : White, Powell, Lonergan or Lolesio, Kuenzle, Pasitoa or even Faingaa, McInnerney, Lonergan. Can't keep them all happy

2020-08-29T03:40:10+00:00

Richie

Roar Rookie


Future wallabies coach at that. His man management is brilliant.

2020-08-29T03:38:34+00:00

Richie

Roar Rookie


29 tries so far in super au. Top of the list! :thumbup:

2020-08-29T03:34:44+00:00

Oblonsky’s Other Pun

Guest


Looking forward to the final. Think we perhaps have more class in the backs than our rivals, but the Reds and Rebels have shown they can dominate us up front, so we will have to use brains rather than brawn against either of those teams. Looking forward to the finals. Love seeing McCaffrey and White back also.

2020-08-29T02:27:04+00:00

Pogo

Roar Rookie


and 11 tries in a row that were not rolling mauls - they are not one trick ponies

2020-08-29T02:03:24+00:00

DJ

Roar Rookie


Looking forward to the final! Go the Brumbies. Over the line 9 times with 5 tries, so we are down the right end of the pitch plenty.

2020-08-29T01:42:28+00:00

elysiusrugby

Roar Rookie


Brumbies are the best coached team in Aus, so the week off will be invaluable.

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