NRC: Brisbane City book final spot
Brisbane City have booked a spot in the inaugural National Rugby Championship final, following a 32-26 win over the NSW Country Eagles at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
Brisbane City overcame a 26-16 half time deficit with two second half tries to steal the win from the home side.
City tallied tries through Brando Va'aulu (2), Toby White and a penalty try. Flyhalf Jake McIntyre kicked all four conversions.
The Eagles scored through Sam Windsor, Samu Wara, Ita Vaea and Ed Stubbs with Windsor kicking two conversions.
Brisbane City head coach Nick Stiles said he was proud of the efforts of his side.
"I was really pleased with the character shown by the guys tonight.
"We were down by 10 points at half time but at no point did we talk about the score, we just spoke about the belief that we could win the match if we stayed composed and worked hard to get back into the game.
"This team has grown a lot over the course of the season and I'm proud of them for making the grand final. We've had ups and downs in this competition but the enjoyment and hard work paid dividends tonight," Stiles said.
Brisbane City opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, holding onto the ball for multiple phases before wing Feaunati made a break down the sideline. Feaunati found Va'aulu with the last pass and the scoreboard ticked over.
The Eagles had drawn the game within seven minutes, with flyhalf Windsor taking the ball to the line and breaking through for a try.
Va'aulu and McIntyre illustrated the character of the entire group with desperate defence in the first half.
Va'aulu chased down Apakuki Ma'afu and knocked the ball out of his hands as he crossed over the line, while McIntyre dove on a loose ball in his in goal to stop a sure try.
The home side took the lead seven minutes later with a try to Wara.
Eagles' openside flank Will Miller was yellow carded for repeated ruck infringements on the 20-minute mark and City immediately took advantage with a five-metre scrum. The Eagles' scrum collapsed twice on its own line, forcing referee Angus Gardiner to award a penalty try to give City a 16-13 lead.
The Eagles took a 26-16 lead into half-time following a 50-metre intercept try by Stubbs.
City upped the physicality significantly in the second-half, shifting the momentum and allowing their backs room to move.
The visitors took the lead 50 minutes into the game with Feaunati and Va'aulu linking again, for the latter to notch his double.
The final try to City came as a result of the increased defensive pressure, with centre White blocking an attempted grubber-kick and regathering it to run 40 metres and score.
Brisbane City will face the winner of Melbourne Rising v Perth Spirit in the NRC final next Saturday, November 1.
If the Rising win the other semi-final, the match will be played in Melbourne but if the Spirit win, it will be held in Brisbane.
The score and scorers:
Brisbane City 32-26 NSW Country Eagles
Brisbane City
Tries: Va'aulu 2, White, penalty try
Cons: McIntyre 4
NSW Country Eagles
Tries: Windsor, Wara, Vaea, Stubbs
Cons: Windsor 2
*Law Variation: The NRC implements a points system that reduces points for penalties and drop goals to two and increases the points for a conversion to three. Tries remain worth five points.
