The ACT Brumbies have survived a furious late onslaught from the Queensland Reds to win the inaugural Super Rugby AU final and be crowned champions.
The Reds looked down and out with 20 minutes to go in the match, only to surge in the final quarter and threaten to upset the home side. But a crucial lost lineout in attack cost them the chance to hit the lead, and the Brumbies’ stout defence was able to hold on against their less experienced opponents to claim a 28-23 win.
The hosts were the first to hit the scoreboard, uncharacteristically pointing to the posts after Fraser McReight gave away a penalty on the 22 directly in front. Noah Lolesio made no mistake from the tee.
It didn’t take long for the Reds to respond, Tom Wright straying offside and allowing James O’Connor to level the score with a three-pointer of his own.
Keeping with the theme of scoring off penalties, the first try of the match was a Brumbies trademark. Kicking to the corner after a marginal high-tackle call went against Angus Blyth, the hosts were able to force their way over in the rolling maul at the second time of asking, Folau Fainga’a the beneficiary. Lolesio was able to extend the lead to seven even with the kick close to the sideline.
If their first try was one for the forwards, the second was anything but. A towering Lolesio bomb was spilled by Filipo Daugunu on the Reds’ 22, gifting field position to the Brumbies. After two powerful busts from Tevita Kuridrani, Lolesio was able to offload to Andy Muirhead, who did exceptionally well to burst through and find the tryline.
The Reds answered on the half-hour through some brilliance from Jordan Petaia. O’Connor flipped up a loose ball to the youngster 40 metres out, and he surged through the broken defence before putting Harry Wilson over with a silky flick-pass.
The gap was narrowed even further when, on the stroke of halftime, Will Miller was off his feet at the ruck, giving away a coach-killing penalty to allow O’Connor to send the teams to the sheds with the Brumbies up by just two points, 15-13.
The Reds would have been happy enough with that scoreline given their Brumbies enjoyed the better of the play before the break, while the hosts would have been frustrated after leaving the opposition red zone scoreless late in the half, when a turnover inches from the tryline from JP Smith and excellent ensuing clearing kick from Tate McDermott getting Queensland out of trouble.
What the Reds wouldn’t have been happy with was their casualty ward. Petaia picked up a left hip injury during his try assist and didn’t make it back on the field after halftime, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was concussed in trying to lay a big hit on Lachie McCaffrey three minutes after the break.
The news for Brad Thorn’s men didn’t improve after that, with Tom Banks straightening off his left foot to score the Brumbies’ third try of the match. Lolesio kicked truly, and the youngster put another three points between the sides with a drop goal just two minutes later.
The Reds, whose discipline was poor all night, were then reduced to 14 men when Daugunu was sent to the bin for a lifting tackle on McCaffrey. Another high tackle followed soon after, and the Brumbies took the chance to push the margin out to 15 with 25 minutes still to play.
Another James O’Connor penalty pulled the gap back under two converted tries heading into the last quarter of the game, and five minutes Angus Blyth scored under the posts to set up a thrilling finish.
The try was a controversial one, with McDermott going on a mazy run through the Brumbies defence but seemingly knocking the ball on when he hit the ground. However their was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision of try, and O’Connor added the extras to make it 28-23.
It was all Reds from there on out, the visitors hammering away at the Brumbies line and enjoying excellent field position as the Brumbies lost the cohesion in their play which had made them so dangerous earlier in the match.
However, they were unable to find the winning score, a lost lineout in attack, a late knock-on in their own half, and some superb defence from the home side handing a famous victory to the Brumbies.
Brumbies 28 (Fainga’a, Muirhead, Banks tries, Lolesio 2/3 conversions, Lolesio 2/2 penalties, Lolesio 1/1 drop goal) def Reds 23 (Wilson, Blyth tries, O’Connor 2/2 conversions, O’Connor 3/3 penalties)
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I'm with you re the scrums IB. I've said previously that at best, scrum "violations" should only produce tap kicks after the defence has re-aligned. Perhaps then coaches will coach for the contested restart that they should be rather than treat them as penalty factories.
In brief
Guest
Obviously it's a tough gig but I believe there are 'cultural issues' which go beyond individual referees. For example, the way the scrum is refereed influences the teams to collapse and disrupt in order to win a penalty rather than use the scrum as a platform to attack from. This needs to change for the benefit of the whole game.
In brief
Guest
And rugby league (cicadas) will commence its new period of world domination.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Yeah, he’ll go somewhere, White is locked in for 2 years, and Lonergan just extended a couple of weeks ago.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Thanks Markus. Now I'm just confused about McKellar's intention. I have always thought if you are good enough you're old/young enough. Selection should be for the best players at the time, not crystal-balling for the next World Cup cycle. While a stunning U'20 career and 8 (?) games at SR level (in a fairly forward dominated game plan) may show plenty of potential, I'm still unsettled about a suggestion that any player with this limited experience, is ready for Test football. Like the rest of Aus, I'll just have to wait and see and wish for the best for whom ever is selected.
TheTruth08
Roar Rookie
also whispers about powell is on the move down south.. Makes sense if powell makes the move down south, rebels dont have a halfback.
Markus
Roar Rookie
McKellar has also been a very vocal opponent of the hype machine that develops for every new young player. "I think in Australia, someone puts in a good performance and all of a sudden they're the next Wallaby," "We've got to be a little bit more patient around that. It gets a bit ridiculous there. It does the players no favours at all." "You're not going to be a good Test player off the back of a good half-an-hour at Super Rugby level or anything like that. It's about doing it week in, week out, doing it consistently well one game after the next." https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/07/30/super-rugby-au-wallabies-mckellar-patience I think he has done quite a good job as a coach of striking a balance between building a young team and ensuring that players are not thrown in before they are ready.
jeznez
Roar Guru
They used to be my second team MH01 - it wasn't mutual, I really liked them. Guys like Larkham, Roff, Paul, Finegan, Smith, Mortlock, Rathbone, Walker, Hardy, Giffin, Samo, Vaea, Williams are some of my favourite players of all time. You think it's all Georgina Robinson's fault?
MH01
Guest
Geez and you wonder why the Brumbies fans / players don’t like the Tahs. It’s attitude like this. It’s mutual, and it’s called a rivalry.......blame your Sydney media for why most of the country does not like the Tahs, it’s not just Canberra.
frisky
Roar Rookie
White was deservedly penalised for tripping. Have another look at the replay.
frisky
Roar Rookie
A Reds supporter by any chance? The ref looked good to me.
In brief
Guest
Well that’s group think at its finest- once again, you cannot receive a penalty for scrum dominance - it’s not an offence in the law book. Referees who do so encourage all the shenanigans that have destroyed the scrum in recent years
In brief
Guest
I agree slipper should have been off - direct shoulder to the head
Goady
Roar Rookie
Couple of thoughts regarding the game last night and season. Caveat I’ve had a couple of Sunday sippers! The line out issues for the Reds have been commented on adnauseam. It has been an issue all season, they need a major fix if they wish to improve. The attempt to move away from the scrum influence in the game by AR has been unfortunate for the best scrum in the comp this year, but worst lineout. Quick note on this subject, the changes implemented this season will not see the light of day outside of this country, I cannot see any other nation having an interest in complicating the kicking rules and depowering the influence of the scrum. Deserved win by the most consistent team, in regards to coaching, game management, talent development and core skills. Kicking game played a major role as it does and the Brumbies won that hands down. Along with their line out dominance, it gave them possession, territory and momentum. Allowed them to attack from the best end of the field. One factor out of the season that is the elephant in my room is how do we want our game played? I am no fan of the Super AU approach. We need to stop fiddling around the aspects of the game that we are traditionally poor at (at lest across the last 10 years). Kicking and the set piece, look for the answers at the breakdown, tackle and offside. This is where we are hurting, this is where the game is being slowed, teams are allowed to blatantly break the laws, the lack of the rugby that I love is directly related to: 1. The attitude of the coaches and players towards these areas, and the laws governing 2. The inability of the officials to have a strong common and consistent understanding of what they want the game to look like, then enforcing it! My hope is that what ever occurs next season, or what structure it takes, Rugby Au stand by the officials, give them clear guidance on what is needed and then be prepared to wear the short term pain for some long term gains by backing them up, placing the pressure back on the coaches and players. Looking forward to watching some test match footy, go the Wallabies!!
Markus
Roar Rookie
Funny because the most vitriol I have seen about Hooper has all come from north of the border. It started when Liam Gill was around and didn't even stop once he was gone. Apparently any openside that runs onto the field for the Reds is better than Hooper, as well as their grandmothers.
Slackbladder
Roar Rookie
Did I hear Greg Clarke right? A 14 year wait? Was he somehow comparing this Brumbies win with the 2004 (and 2001) versions?? WTF :)
DNZ
Guest
Was just thinking this. He was loved in the capital city and then moved home. Don’t know anyone that hates him but maybe my circle is not the norm.
TheTruth08
Roar Rookie
done deal from what ive heard...
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Hah! :laughing: A point we’ll made!
jameswm
Roar Guru
I love watching the Reds. They're my 2nd favourite team. But in league, Qld don't even make my 2nd favourite Origin team. They're lower...