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.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more Thugby. To put it another way, Foley like several others including Beale at the time, was under no pressure to retain their selection. I wrote at the time that it was a case of entitlement. They were the annointed ones having kissed Cheika's ring and they knew irrespective of their performance or effort exertion they were always going to be selected. That is the real poison of the Cheika era.
Redbeard
Roar Rookie
Richie, you just need to attract an AFL team to take up residence!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Thugby we are in violent agreement!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
It’s fair to say that a sizeable proportion of NZers were embarrassed by that sad phase of history Campo. But the cheap seats are cheap everywhere. Of course, there are still a few stragglers firing off the odd angry Q shot. Too many bullets, not enough mirrors.
BrumbiesFan
Roar Rookie
Berry reffed appallingly for both teams. If he didn't see a grounding it would be silly to give a try on the field. Ardie and the Canes coach can cry foul all they want, but it's in the books. Yet what about Devan Flanders' 59th minute try? Great run, but no try. A flanker cannot kick the ball forward out of a scrum whilst still bound. They can't kick it out in any direction, they can only guide it with their feat through the two channels either side of the Number 8. The Number 8 can then unbind and pick it up, or stay bound and feed it to the Scrum-half. The ball cannot be kicked out in any other direction, and cannot pass through the tunnel without being touched. I know there was a scrum penalty, but you cannot play advantage off an infringement! No try, ball should come back to the scrum mark for a Canes penalty.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
I have never tried Chivas to be homest with you… waa jus a nane :happy: I have never seen it at a whisky bar, so imagine its not great.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Well, for the record, Glenfiddich is a much tastier drop.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Riccardo I agree all what you said. Eddy Jones got to fix that if he wants to get a chance just to smell the RW Cup, let alone touch it.
Sure, if those GPS schools are High, Grammar and maybe Newington as there’s heaps of Greeks and Italians. Rugby is still the premier sport at every other school.
I reckon if they offered cheaper beer I’d be more inclined to visit. Capital cans are highway robbery
Brumbies back three can’t really tackle at all between Wright, Muirhead and Toole. Muirhead put the Brumbies under unnecessary pressure with that terrible clearance. Plenty of attacking prowess in Toole and Wright though. Debreczeni is better than Lolesio. I like the Fez and Wilson :thumbup:
Chivas
Roar Rookie
First off Jason Holland (coach of the Canes) is being a douche with his comments.. unnecessary, biased and disrespectful. You can include me as being among those that thinks it is boorish and weak in a game they lost. Second when patronising.. like when you say you watched the game and everyone withthe possible exception of me... yeah ok. If you say it its fine, me p7sh back on your comments not so much. To be honest when someone writes a lengthy post explaining how they thi k they got the short end of the stick, they aren't getting the respect they deserve and need to explain why they think their team is the better team and deserved to win, when they did... to me smacks of someone needing to be validated. Happy to be wrong, I am just sharing how it comes across to me. Finally, none of what I say is a personal attack on you. Please do not take it as such... it is sometimes an attack on what you are saying. I think your posts are biased and respectful... abd I am certain my comments are no less biased and on occassion mY be even more so :happy:
Chivas
Roar Rookie
And i totally agree on his coach. You can call me not impressed on his post match comments. More patronising like I watched it mate, like everyone elsw apart from you... yeah ok. The reason i say needing validation was based on the fact that you put up a fairly lengthy post explaining how the Brumbies got the short end of the stick, didn't get the respect they need and why ypu think they are the best team... all opinions which to me smacks of someone needing validation even though they wom.. if I am wrong I'm cool with that.. like you just saying it as I see it. Not a personal criticism of you as a person either to avoid misinterpretting me. I think your posts are more than reasonable. And yes the Canes coach is a bit of a d1ck.. but neither of us can do much about that :happy:
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Hi Chivas, just a quick one as I feel we've done this to death already. Mate, I didn't criticise Ardie, I criticised his coach. His comments were dismissive of a great Brums performance and the ego was palpable. They didn't win because of the ref, they won despite the ref. Ardie himself was typically humble and caught off-guard by Morgan with a poorly timed question. Second, mate, could you be any more patronising?? I don't need validation, the Brumbies won.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Thanks Phil.. thats pretty ordinary... I just couldn't see with the camera being side on..
Chivas
Roar Rookie
If i leave out your personal opinions not much here… i do come away with the feeling you need to be validated.. I dont think Ardie’s comment waa anything like Tate’s and a couple of other ferals have posted the same and drew parallels.. your opinion. Can’t agree, but there has been enough posted on this calling out the difference.. you don’t see it ok. A stir fron the coach, which wasn’t needed I agree. Finally, for the throw ins i only saw a side on angle on tv.. so couldn’t see, hence just the commentators word for it for me. But you can see, because you watched it… I’m sure thats true.. and like most Aussie fans, you listened to the commentators and their expert opinion and arrived at the same conclusion.. which is why every game played home or away is down to not getting the right calls from the ref… or the majority of calls going against them.. Anyway, I also never said they weren’t not straight, so no need to get your knickers in a bunch.. I did say I couldn’t see and all I had was the commentators word for it mate. And lastly and importantly, the Brumbies did win and deserved it. I have not said differently and nor have many others… it was close so there are always going to be a few controversial and biased comments about who was better and who got the rub of the green etc. yours is just one of those. But yes Brumbies came away with the win and good for them. They earned it.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
Just watched that Devan Flanders video again. You go high and you’ll get fended off, particularly a FB/winger and winger on a no.6. I get the feeling some tacklers just don’t target their approach towards the area of the ball carriers body they should be hitting. They seem mesmerised by the way people usually come together when meeting each other, (face to Face). This is rugby, not a social gathering. Focus on your hit zone (below the ball), then smash it, wrap it, and bring it down. Leave the more personal upright approach for drinks after the game. If your coach won’t insist you tackle properly, then the whole team and fans get let down.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
I lke Jack Debreczeni also
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Hoops is one of my favourite players Thom. Massive engine and great skills for a flanker. Often wondered how he would have gone at 12...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Thought the Reds were excellent in Waikato Francis; that was a proper arm wrestle too. I think the Aussie sides kick away possession too much actually. You could maybe argue the Kiwi sides are fitter at the end too. It's so boring I know, but kick-pass skills maybe advantage the Kiwi sides a bit too, although they too tend to spread it too quickly. Show and go or a split second hold can create space or even a weaker shoulder to gain advantage. Genetic shortcoming? I remember some great Wallabies of the past who would argue that. Coaching at the elite level has certainly been an issue, as has the exodus North and to Japan. It will be interesting to see the Wallabies under Jones this year; he has some great talent to work with and they have an excellent draw in France...