The Brumbies made it a night to remember for James Slipper, but the Waratahs’ season went from bad to worse after losing their fifth straight match 40-16 on Saturday night.
Adding to the disappointment for Darren Coleman’s men – and new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who was tucked away inside GIO Stadium on a wet and wintry evening – was a potentially serious injury to Angus Bell, who limped off early.
The forlorn look on the Wallaby prop’s face summed up the Waratahs’ evening, which was one of misery and frustration.
Harrison Goddard scored an important try for the Brumbies on the stroke of half time against the Waratahs at GIO Stadium, on April 06, 2024, in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Indeed, a season of what ifs got another notch added to Coleman’s belt, as the Brumbies made it 12 straight wins over the Waratahs.
Where Dylan Pietsch was held up after looking certain to score in what ultimately was the final play of the game, the Brumbies’ polish shined through.
After building scoreboard pressure in the first half, Corey Toole and Charlie Cale were on the end of two fabulous backline movements to score stunning tries in greasy conditions.
It was a mature performance, one in which their key decision makers Noah Lolesio and Tom Wright only enhanced their reputations even further.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon, who watched his side spurn several linebreaks, could only nod in appreciation.
“I thought the Brumbies were really good tonight, put a heap of pressure on around the breakdown, and made it really tough for us, especially in these conditions, I thought they were really good,” he said.
You couldn’t fault the Waratahs’ effort, but their execution, especially in the wet, left a lot to be desired.
“We were OK in parts,” Gordon said.
“I thought the first half was a really good battle, we held them out which was really pleasing, but they put a lot of heat around our breakdown and we couldn’t get any flow in our attack. They were awesome tonight.”
The Brumbies didn’t get the pay they were after in the first half, as hooker Billy Pollard was denied twice.
The rising Wallaby was held up from a fast-moving rolling maul, before later losing possession in the process of trying to dive out.
But Harrison Goddard’s try on the stroke of half-time seemed to settle the Brumbies’ nerves, as they found their groove in the second half by scoring three tries.
The Brumbies’ back-row was outstanding, with Rob Valetini scoring a thundering try to put the wheels in motion before Cale showed off his speed by diving over in the 78th minute.
Lolesio was once again solid with ball-in-hand, while he was faultless from the kicking tee as he finished the evening with 18 points.
“I thought the piggies were excellent tonight,” Lolesio said.
“Their job is to lay the foundation for us backs, get us going forward and our job is to keep the ball in front of them, especially in conditions like tonight.”
Noah Lolesio controlled the game well for the Brumbies during their bonus point win over the Waratahs at GIO Stadium, on April 06, 2024. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The win was set up by the Brumbies’ strong set-piece in the first-half, with Slipper once again putting in a typically strong performance during his hour-long game.
It wasn’t just any old game either, with the Wallabies veteran running out for his 178th match to overtake Stephen Moore to become the most-capped Australian Super Rugby player of all time.
Schmidt will be hoping Slipper still has plenty left to give, particularly after Bell slowly made his way off after looking dispiritingly down at the grass with a suspected foot injury.
Should that prove to be the case, it will be a devastating blow for both Bell and Australian rugby, with the 23-year-old wrecking ball prop plagued by the injury over the past two seasons.
When Bell made his way off, the Waratahs were level with the Brumbies at 3-3 after both sides opted for shots at goal in the wet conditions.
Behind a dominant scrum, the Brumbies looked to squeeze the Waratahs but Jed Holloway’s defensive lineout prowess and a couple of Pollard errors gave the visitors some reprieve.
Having left with nothing on a couple of occasions, Lolesio took the chance to knock over two penalties to stretch the lead out to 9-3 after 34 minutes.
Tane Edmed hit back with a penalty of his own three minutes later, but the Brumbies landed a crucial blow on the stroke of half-time as Goddard, who was excellent filling in for the injured Ryan Lonergan, scored.
Edmed closed the gap with his third penalty of the evening in the 46th minute, but Valetini flattened the fly-half two minutes later to score after getting past Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Another penalty saw the Brumbies stretch their lead, before Charlie Gamble gave the visitors some late hope.
But it didn’t last long as Toole, who was kept quite all evening, flew onto a lovely ball from Lolesio to score.
Cale then put the cherry on top by diving over for a late five-pointer.
The win saw the Brumbies consolidate their top three position, where they joined the Blues and Hurricanes, who have a game in hand, on 27 points.
The Waratahs meanwhile are languishing in 10th place on eight points, three points behind the Highlanders.
cs
Roar Guru
The last spring tour Rocky. Jed was fabulous. Are you sure Foketi actually played? Never saw him.
Red Dog
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Red Dog
Roar Rookie
Hannigan makes the squad for his hands and set up piece.? No thanks. Not enough mongrel.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Short Arm, the words may have sounded the same to you. But Cale looks different to me. (To be clear Cale has more points to prove yet). H. Wilson demonstrated big promise too, promise that is yet to solidify imo. It’s hard to stay at the top, game after game, year after year. In some ways big back rowers are like playmakers. It’s a slippery slope at the top. Some kids slip and then find it hard to climb again. Even Fardy. He showed promise as a school boy, only to break a leg, miss honours, then went overseas to rise, which he did, then to become a Wallaby on return. Even then after all was proven, a coach’s red ink saw him gone, to star again in Europe. Cale is building a nice highlights reel. Wilson has one already. Joe has some headaches. Stars who slip make it easier for him.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Great question Jimbo. It runs counter to the Tah cash splash line running here atm. (Though I agree- there’s quite a bit of silly cash spent in all sorts of subjectively chosen places).
Guess
Roar Rookie
Not sure I understand you. I compare Gordon to Wilson/grant(he's 9) not Harrison. Edmed's lack of creativity is separate issue. For some time I thought it's only edmed too but now I think Gordon is also responsible. Yes I do consider all the elements he brings, he has great skills individually as I said and while Wilson doesn't have the same skillset and as much experience as Gordon I think he is better at engaging the backline. And that's what they need the most rn imo
Guess
Roar Rookie
True. Yet that ignorant point got 37 likes. Shows the objectivity of the roar. I also watched that moment again and Jorgensen was marking another player. Dude doesn't understand physics momentum even.
Cec
Roar Rookie
BD school boys stars do not mean they become pros. Yes schools and grassroots club help them get to a level. But to get to the pros, that is what provincial academies are for. It’s their first exposure as pro players. Plenty don’t make it past academies. Brums juniors, no worries let me know who you find…some big names there. Again there is no relevance to where you played at grassroots or schools when you get to the pros…see NZ, Euro and Japan comps so what’s the diff between those leagues and ours; and who really cares (and why does anyone care)? Is this a chat about pathways or club seniors? “ Problem for the reds & tahs is they are still limited by salary cap and max no of players in the squad” ” Reality is, even though they produce some players themselves, the rebels, brumbies and force do reduce depth for the reds and tahs. ” Sounds like club to me. There is no birthright to players based on where they were born. There is however a recognition of value proposition in developing WB and Brums do that better than anyone for some time now. So kids are now seeing Brums as their first choice. This birthright view is very 80’s perhaps even older but no we’re in the pro era now and it’s time we all recognise that so we can catch up with the rest of the world. Just put in a draft like AFL or NFL perhaps.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Ps now lobbed the grenade I will disappear
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
The problem is super rugbys biggest power broker nzru does not care about creating the best super rugby competition for the fans but just using the competition as all blacks training run. Wrong partner coupled with RA incompetence means super rugby long term is doomed.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You cant just bring locals in for the sake of them being locals so I dont really see a major future for the Brumbies. Its sad that the best franchise has been based on a smaller area. Thats just the reality of Canberra's young and often political crowd. 100% agree with taking games to other area's. Adelaide is one area Id be looking to for sure.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying the Bumbies don't produce some players, of course they do. Feel like your list is just examples of the Brumbies doing what I said they do though - taking players who grew up in the game elsewhere. Massimo. Born in Sydney. High school in Queensland. Reds junior academy. Qld U18. Vickerman. Born in South Africa. Moved to Australia aged 21. Samo. Born in Fiji. Fiji U19s. Hooper. Manly. Hoiles. Randwick then the Tahs for 3 years before going to the Brumbies. Ashley-Cooper. Central Coast boy. No rule against it, but I'd love to see more talent coming through the Brumbies juniors and I'd love a system where the Brumbies were rewarded for doing that.
cs
Roar Guru
Wimp.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
AA. Disagree. Jake always overplays his hand. He didn’t against the Crusaders and they won!
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
I think they have always been going down the coast on weekends since the start of SR. I think the issue is that SR is on the nose in Canberra there currently but not sure why. The Raiders not exactly setting the house on fire. Plus they have an A League team starting in the coming years which will take away more of their market. I think if they brought in more local players they might help their crowd numbers and maybe take some games out of Canberra eg Wagga , Adelaide , Hobart etc Whatever they do they will have to do it quick as that sort of low crowd is not sustainable to cover costs.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Your out of touch my friend. Go experience it for yourself if you think Im BS you.
Jed
Roar Rookie
And Hanigan.
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
Only in the sense that the Brumbies scored more points than the Reds and were awarded 4 competition points. I am old fashioned that way. I’m aware Jimbo that you apply different criteria when deciding who won, including which team had the more russet-like hue to their jerseys.
Pearcy
Roar Rookie
Brisbane comp?
Pearcy
Roar Rookie
I don't know if you this, but Jorgensen's dad was a Wallaby. The commentators rarely mention it.