Canberra
The ACT Brumbies withstood a late onslaught to edge a gutsy Queensland Reds 28-23 and clinch the Super Rugby AU title Saturday, solidifying their status as the kings of Australian rugby.
The Canberra side went to the break two points ahead and put the hammer down to stretch their lead to 28-13 before the Reds came storming back to set up a tense finale.
Newly-minted Wallaby Noah Lolesio scored 13 points in the three tries to two victory to deny coach Brad Thorn’s young, and fast-improving, Queenslanders a first win in the Australian capital since 2014.
It was the Brumbies’ third Super Rugby title — albeit a domestic version after the coronavirus pandemic halted international rugby — following their triumphs in 2001 and 2004.
“It was a huge effort from the boys,” said skipper Allan Alaalatoa, whose side were dominant all season.
“But you have to give credit to the Reds. We always knew they were going to come back in the second half and they made it really hard for us.
“I’m really proud of the boys to be able to close out the game,” he added.
Although the Reds hadn’t beaten the Brumbies in Canberra for six years, they went into the game upbeat after upsetting them 26-7 in Brisbane earlier this month.—AFP
