The Brumbies scored a last-gasp try to come from behind to snatch a 24-23 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
It was the Brumbies’ fifth consecutive win over the Waratahs – giving them the longest winning streak in the history of this fixture. The win also moved them level with the Reds at the top of the Super Rugby AU table.
Replacement scrumhalf Issak Fines was the hero of the day as with less than five minutes on the clock, he snuck through a gap in the Waratahs defence to score the match-winning converted try near the posts.
Up until that stage, the Waratahs were in control of the match after holding a lead for much of the contest. The home side will be kicking themselves as they allowed the Brumbies back into the game after opening up a 15-point gap in the first half.
Instead, they only took a three-point 20-17 lead into the break and were only able to add a further three points to that in the second half despite dominating both possession and territory.
Waratahs – Tries: Tom Horton, James Ramm. Conversions: Will Harrison (2). Penalties: Harrison (3).
Brumbies – Tries: Tom Cusack, Folau Fainga’a, Rob Valentini, Issak Fines. Conversions: Bayley Kuenzle.
Waratahs – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Angus Bell, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Will Harris, 21 Michael Mcdonald, 22 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 23 Ben Dondaldson.
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 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 (c), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Will Miller, 21 Issak Fines, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Mack Hansen.
Photo: Getty Images
