The Brumbies have held on to claim a gutsy 12-10 victory over the Hurricanes in Canberra, but only after All Blacks star Jordie Barrett missed two potentially game-winning penalty kicks in the final two minutes.
Dan McKellar’s men became just the second Australian team to record a victory over New Zealand opposition in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.
Tom Cusack was penalised for offside in the 78th minute gifting the long-kicking Barrett an opportunity to win the game off his boot from 50m out, but his kick drifted left.
From the 22 metre drop out, Nic White had his dropkick charged down before Harrison Lloyd was penalised with seven seconds left on the clock.
Gifted another opportunity to keep the Hurricanes’ unbeaten Trans Tasman title quest on track, Barrett pushed the kick to the right sealing the end of the contest.
The outcome handed the Hurricanes their first loss of the competition, leaving fellow Kiwi outfits the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders as the only unbeaten teams as they chase the two spots in the one-off final with one round to play.
In the Brumbies first home game in six weeks, the Canberra men were sluggish from the outset in a bruising and battering match played predominantly in the middle of the park – the set-piece being the platform for attacking opportunities.
But it was the visitors who led 10-7 going into the halftime break, and while managing fewer handling errors on the night, they were unable to capitalise in the dying stages.
However, they almost stole victory before Barrett’s missed kicks, when Alex Fidow streaked through a hole and crossed in the 73rd minute.
Len Ikitau celebrates with his Brumbies teammates. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
However the TMO called referee Paul Williams back to review the lead up, with Hurricanes skipper Ardie Savea judged to marginally knock the ball on, and the try was overturned.
Sustained pressure from the Brumbies was their strength throughout the match, and scrumhalf Nic White’s injection in the second half was the game-changer.
White shaped to kick with a penalty advantage in the 52nd minute, before slipping a pass inside to centre Len Ikitau who briefly lost his feet 10 metres out before gathering and diving over to score.
The scrumhalf brought a calming aspect to their attack that struggled throughout the game with a plethora of basic handling errors.
In the first half, the Brumbies hit the front when starting scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan went over for a try from short range.
It didn’t take long for the Hurricanes to hit back however, after veteran Dane Coles was the try beneficiary from a five-metre lineout maul.
The hooker, back in the starting side this week, broke off to the right to crash through two defenders.
Shortly before the halftime siren, Barrett looked inclined to go for touch just with his side pursuing a bonus point victory to go top of the table, but skipper Savea opted for the three points.
Shooter McGavin
Guest
The school we magnify, for us no school stands nigh it :stoked:
MO
Guest
Dunno why they let Stowers go. Probably because we had depth in the loosies and Stowers is a good Samoan international. But I don't know what discussions Stowers and the coach had. For all I know Stowers wanted a change of scene. For all I know it was a mistake. Somebody decided that they'd recruit Anstee (Aussie with potential) and Lezana (Argentinian). All of a sudden
ME
Guest
Not at all. The penalty is still a "stoppage" but the law was amended specifically for the end of the game to prevent cynical play.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
so he did and the brumbies would have been releaved as well
AndyS
Guest
Conversely, I suppose it could be argued that if a stoppage occurred the game could have ended. But they changed that such that a game cannot end on a penalty, implying that it doesn't qualify as a stoppage...? Another of those poorly defined details that have accumulated to make them far more rules and guidelines than laws.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Len Ikitau was looking for glory instead of looking for the grass between the goal posts. He is not the only one. Many who crossed the line for a 5 point try seldom think of the kicker who is given the task to boot in between the posts for 2 points for the team. These chaps who crossed the line thought their job was over, forgetting the more difficulty task of his fellow kicker trying to get another two points for his team with his boots from a ridiculous angle. Nothing to do with lack of skill, just lack of right attitude after getting the 5 points. Of course, there are times when reaching to be nearer to tha goal posts can be a tough call when being chased down. Folks like Len Ikitau had all the time during that try.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@EFF Yes I've got a very different def'n to you. Mine is based on reality while you think losing by 20, never being in front at any time and never looking like winning is beng competitive :silly:
ME
Guest
Your entire post is incorrect. Had it bean a penalty advantage that may apply. but one thing you have completely missed. What did the half back do after the penalty was awarded? He took a quick tap... what does a quick tap do? IT RESTARTS PLAY. Therefore under the laws a stoppage MUST have occurred. Therefor any infringement, that was not foul play is unable to be looked at by the TMO. It really is that simple.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha yeah, not flash
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Poor decision. Probably gained the brumbies a very lucky win. Just wait for the howls of despair when a similar call goes against them.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Bit late to the party, but to satisfy my curiosity I ran a fact check on: 'I don’t think any Australian team in the last decade beaten all 5 NZ franchises in a season or even in the history of Superugby.' This is mostly true. No Australian team has beaten all 5 NZ franchises in the round robin stages of Super Rugby. The Brumbies did beat all 5 kiwi franchises in 2004, but that included beating the Crusaders in the final after losing to them during the regular season.
Martin Doyle
Guest
Len Ikitau crossing for a try and staring at the camera, rather than trying to get closer to the posts could have been the two points that could have secured the game, had Barrett’s penalty attempt been successful. Poor discipline is the kindest comment that I can make.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Not disagreeing with you. Just saying the actions on the field especially with the high tackle look like they are trying to get the game moving again to possible cover for something. Game clock of 23.15 to 23.30 if you would like to have a look. Not talking about the TMO at all, just the players actions.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Francis, under Law 20 ‘a penalty or free-kick is awarded to restart play after infringements’, you would have to assume under the ordinary meaning, you would have to stop before you can restart.
Double Agent
Guest
"Jodie, usually Mr Reliable with his boot," What the??
Double Agent
Guest
"The Waratahs scored 40 points on them!! " It was 48 points. 48. That's almost 50!
Double Agent
Guest
Agree. I don't think he's good enough to be an AB.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
David, with the high tackle, that's foul play and the TMO is allowed to review that at any time. So tapping quickly makes no difference, the TMO can still interrupt, whenever he's reviewed it. As for trying to get away with a knock on? That's only a scrum, the TMO isn't going to interrupt and the ref isn't going to change his mind.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
John, Law 7 on advantage, states if no advantage is gained, the referee will stop play and apply the sanction, that would imply that a stoppage occurs before a penalty is taken.
Glenn
Guest
Especially not in the previous 3 weeks, notwithstanding White jumping up and down pointing out the knock-on.