Brumbies fumble their way to narrow win
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies overcame a strong first half by the Reds to edge a scrappy Australia derby.
Tries by Bryce Hegarty and Henry Speight – who has now scored against every team in the competition – saw the Reds take a 17-7 lead into the half-time break.
However, second-half tries by Tom Wright, Folau Fainga’a and Thomas Banks saw the home team race into a 27-17 lead.
Harry Wilson scored for the Reds with three minutes remaining, but the Brumbies held on for a scrappy win.
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It was 39 degrees Celsius at kick-off in Canberra as bushfires burned within 10km of the city and it was the hosts who started fastest in the blistering conditions.
The Brumbies had 87 percent of territory in the opening 10 minutes and were first to strike when Allan Alaalatoa gave a short ball for Irae Simone to crash over next to the posts.
Queensland weathered the storm and drew level thanks to a beautiful set-piece from the line-out with Isaac Lucas giving an inside ball to Henry Speight.
Speight’s try against his former club meant he became the first Super Rugby player to score against every team with his 47th five-pointer in 123 games.
The Reds earnt a tighthead scrum penalty in the 25th minute and slotted it in front to take a 10-7 lead.
Queensland was well on top by the half-hour and turned down a penalty shot with two minutes left which paid dividends after Bryce Hegarty crashed over on halftime.
The Brumbies would have copped a spray at the break from coach Dan McKellar and responded accordingly to steamroll the visitors in the second half.
Tom Wright, Folau Fainga’a and Tom Banks all strolled past the pedestrian defence to score tries before a penalty made it 27-17 in the 67th minute.
A late try to Reds No.8 Harry Wilson set up a grandstand finish but they ultimately paid for a dreadful second half as the Brumbies held on.
The scorers
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Simone, Wright, Fainga’a, Banks
Cons: Lolesio 2
Pens: Lolesio
For the Reds:
Tries: Speight, Hegarty, Wilson
Cons: Hegarty 3
Pens: Hegarty
Teams
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 James Slipper, 19 Caderyn Neville, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Andy Muirhead.
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Isaac Lucas, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Hunter Paisami.
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
