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Five minutes of grit and defence has seen the Brumbies progress through to their second straight Super Rugby semi-final, as Stephen Larkham’s men held on to beat the Hurricanes 37-33 in Canberra.
After defending their own goal line and multiple penalties, supersub Luke Reimer proved to be the hero denying Ardie Savea – arguably the world’s best player and a man rarely stopped – by holding up the back-rower over the line to seal a dramatic and tense victory.
Tom Wright, who scored in the 71st minute to put the Brumbies back in front before Noah Lolesio’s ice cool penalty extended the lead out to beyond a penalty, credited his back-row teammate, who made yet another telling contribution off the bench, for the victory.
“Lukey Reimer, it’s a 15-man effort there at the end but it takes one guy’s hand to get under the ball and do something special. But something special just looks like your job a lot of the time and gets unrewarded on the TV, but he’s our go to finisher at the moment and he just did it again,” Wright said of his teammate.
Brumbies players celebrate after their narrow win over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium on June 10, 2023, in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Seconds earlier, Brumbies rookie Blake Schoupp had called on his home fans to lift their energy as they were forced to defend a lineout and consecutive scrums on their own goal line, including one in the 85th minute. They were scenes reminiscent of the 2015 World Cup, where the Wallabies somehow held Wales out.
The Brumbies rejoiced wildly and sent the crowd into euphoria as Reimer just got his hand under the ball as Savea attempted to burrow over under the goal posts.
The victory was built on ‘Lord’ Laurie Fisher’s DNA, with the veteran coach, who has spent the best part of two decades at the Brumbies, to call time on his full-time professional coaching career at season’s end.
Fisher raised his arm in triumph, as his dream of a Super Rugby title was kept alive for another week.
“It was nerve racking, but a magnificent effort by the boys,” Fisher told Stan Sport.
“To defend your line for five minutes against a quality side like the Hurricanes is unbelievable and testament to the courage and desire to win from that group of players.”
Savea, who will miss next year’s season after taking up a sabbatical in Japan’s League One competition, choked back tears after claiming he had initially got the ball down despite no clear evidence to overturn Nic Berry’s initial decision of being ‘held up’.
“Oh wow, it came down to that last play and, as much as I disagree, that’s just the way footy is and it doesn’t go your way, sometimes it does,” he said.
“You’ve just got to live with it. I’m immensely proud of my boys. I said in the first half we have to leave everything out and I felt like we did. But that’s credit to the Brumbies, they stuck in there and defence wins you games and that’s what happened.”
Ardie Savea reacts as Nic Berry deemed his carry held up at GIO Stadium on June 10, 2023, in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Asked whether he was certain he scored, Savea emphatically said he did.
“I scored it, brother. Initially, I scored it and then he held me up. But it is what it is, man,” Savea said.
“I’m gutted, but honestly I’m just truly grateful and blessed to be here and play this game for my club and my team. It’s pretty special.”
The Brumbies had several stand outs, with Test regulars James Slipper, Len Ikitau and Rob Valetini outstanding.
Fly-half Jack Debreczeni, who was picked ahead of Lolesio, was also excellent and did his chances of making a late play for the Wallabies no harm. Indeed, if Jones is considering someone who can cover fly-half and fullback, the experienced and well-travelled No.10 has the tools to succeed at Test rugby.
Reimer, too, showed why he’s built a reputation of being the best defensive back-rower in Australia, with the 22-year-old showing his ability to get on the ball.
Len Ikitau scored an important first-half try to help the Brumbies to a memorable victory over the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium on June 10, 2023, in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The match started at a frenetic pace, with both sides scoring inside the opening 10 minutes.
Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo scored in the second minute, combining with Savea and bursting through some poor defence to score.
The Brumbies responded quickly though, as Ollie Sapsford, who was chosen on the left-wing with Corey Toole missing, showed some neat footwork to score.
Brett Cameron put the Hurricanes back in front with a simple penalty after 13 minutes, but Debreczeni put the home side back in front when he ran to the line and scored.
However, the Brumbies kept the Hurricanes in the fight as poor work around the breakdown allowed Cameron to add more points.
The Brumbies continued to find success on the Hurricanes’ right-edge, as Ikitau joined the party and scored to give his side a 19-13 lead.
Cameron banged over another penalty, before Debreczeni gave the Brumbies a 25-16 lead at half-time.
The Hurricanes dominated the first 20 minutes after the main break, as Savea scored before Devan Flanders picked up a loose ball at the scrum and ran 60 metres to score, in the process exposing Wright’s poor defence at fullback. The two tries came after Nic White was bulldozed away at halfback and looked like being the match-changing moment.
But Reimer’s try from the Brumbies’ rolling maul chariot stopped the bleeding and gave them a renewed spark.
Wright then scored out wide as the Brumbies’ risky decision to play on quickly from a penalty paid off.
As telling as his try was, the Brumbies’ victory was won off the back of their extraordinary defensive effort.
It will long be remembered by Fisher, but it will be all the sweeter if the Brumbies can go to Hamilton and knock over the Chiefs who survived a fright of their own on Saturday afternoon.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.