Reds suffer Super Point heartbreak, Hurricanes make statement against Brumbies
WRAP: A Beauden Barrett penalty goal in extra time has allowed the Blues to escape an inspired Super Round comeback from the Queensland Reds with a 36-33 win.
The Blues led 21-7 in the first half and then 33-21 with 15 minutes to play, but both times copped a mighty Reds response in Saturday’s second game at Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium.
A converted Louis Werchon try on the buzzer forced extra time.
The Blues then camped in the Reds’ half until captain Fraser McReight was pinged for incorrect entry to the ruck.
A frustrated McReight questioned the decision, arguing for a Blues knock-on given the ball was spilt out during the play.
But it mattered little as Barrett, after a mixed night, slotted the winning points from a slight angle to move his side, at least temporarily, into second place.
“Sh*t happens, doesn’t it,” gutted Reds coach Les Kiss said, explaining the directive had been for McReight, and only McReight, to look for the pilfer.
“The truth is three or four things could have been picked out [in the decisive moment], and as a seven, you have to ****ing look for the opportunities.
“The boys have an appetite and mindset to keep playing, despite the fact it got away from us. We didn’t die wondering.”
McReight said he would likely analyse the moment in coming days.
“As a No.7 you live for those moments … you want to put yourself in that position,” he said.
It was a third-straight win for New Zealand sides over Australian teams inside 24 hours at the venue and solidified a Super Rugby Pacific ladder now occupied from first to fourth by Kiwi sides.
The Reds (5-4) sit sixth, behind the Brumbies, despite producing some brilliance to halt the Blues’ early momentum and then manufacture an extra period when the game looked gone.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored a try and was heavily involved in one of his best games this season, while flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – with Test pair Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh both sidelined, and halfback Kalani Thomas both caused problems.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto bumped off bodies all night to continue his fine season.
Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan scored a first-half double while Reds winger Tim Ryan dove to finish a spectacular try down the right edge and also produced a solid try-saving tackle on Cole Forbes.
Ryan’s try made it a seven-point game in the final few minutes and they were offered one last shot when Barrett’s kick for touch only made 10 metres.
The Reds mauled close to the line before Werchon burrowed over.
But the Blues, as first try scorers, were allowed to kick-off and the Reds defended stoutly for three minutes before the inevitable penalty.
“The boys said it was one of the toughest games they’ve played in a long time,” Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
“Tight situations need clear heads and that’s what we got.”
*Calamitous first-half kicking gave the Brumbies no hope as the table-topping Hurricanes struck a blow for New Zealand rugby in a 45-12 Super Round win.
The bonus point victory pushed the Hurricanes to the top of the ladder and left the Brumbies in danger of slipping to sixth, after the Crusaders had jumped them into fourth on Friday thanks to a bonus-point win against the NSW Waratahs.
It was the Brumbies’ first loss to New Zealand opposition in five games this season. But two losses to Fijian Drua – as well as defeats against the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds in Canberra – have undone that good work.
New Zealand sides now occupy the top four spots on the ladder, although the Queensland Reds can improve to fourth with a win over the Blues in Saturday’s late game.
Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo (four tries) ran rampant, notching a first-half hat-trick thanks to quick feet and slick hands in a Ruben Love-led backline.
#REPORT: Crusaders celebrate new Christchurch home with win over Waratahs 👇#SuperRugbyPacific #Crusaders #Waratahs #CRUvWAR https://t.co/848dD7JeDe
— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) April 24, 2026
The Brumbies were dealt a blow before kick-off, with talisman prop Allan Alaalatoa ruled out of the game and next week’s clash with the Reds due to concussion.
And it got no better for Stephen Larkham’s men in the first of two Anzac Day clashes at Christchurch’s sold-out One NZ Stadium.
Twice in the first 40 minutes, flyhalf Declan Meredith kicked the ball dead in goal attempting to find touch after winning a penalty.
He was not alone though. Tom Wright struggled with his in-game kicking while Ryan Lonergan and Andy Muirhead both pushed kicks dead to kill any momentum.
Some poor defence and line-out execution also hurt the side, Fineanganofo’s third, after back-to-back Brumbies knock-ons making it 19-0 at halftime.
Larkham replaced prop James Slipper with Blake Schoupp at halftime while Tane Edmed relieved Meredith.
They had some joy, with Corey Toole’s flick pass as he went into touch finding David Feliuai for a Brumbies try.
But the Hurricanes hit right back, the ball kept alive before winger Josh Moorby crashed over for the first of his two tries.
Fineanganofo was able to play to the crowd before jotting down his fourth try, beating Edmed to a loose ball after two Brumbies passes completely missed their mark.
Brumbies replacement Toby Macpherson was denied a try on review when officials deemed he knocked on when reaching for the line.
Toole got one back with a runaway effort with 10 minutes to go, but the Hurricanes replied with two more tries of their own to complete the hiding.
See below for Saturday’s scores and scorers!
Hurricanes 45-12 Brumbies
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Tries: Fineanganofo 4, Moorby 2, Rova;
Cons: Love 5
For Brumbies:
Tries: Toole, Feliuai
Cons: Edmed
Teams
Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 1 Siale Lauaki
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Jove Rova, 23 Josh Gray
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Lachlan Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Toby MacPherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner, Angus Mabey
TMO: Brett Cronan
Blues 36-33 Reds
The scorers:
For Blues:
Tries: Sullivan 2, Forbes, Papali’i, Slater
Cons: Barrett 4
Pen: Barrett
For Reds:
Tries: McReight, Wilson, Campbell, Ryan, Wechon
Cons: McLaughlin-Phillips 3, Volavola
Teams:
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Kade Banks, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Cole Forbes, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ben Ake.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 Xavi Taele.
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Damon Murphy
TMO: Richard Kelly
