... And with one swift strike of the ball Matt To'omua kicked the Melbourne Rebels into their maiden finals series and booted the Waratahs out.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels leapt from his seat in his coaching box and threw his arms in the air in triumph. His former second-rower Geoff Parling, a British and Irish Lion not least, smiled brightly and the Rebels breathed one sigh of relief after spending the best part of three months on the road.
The heartbreak and agony written, again, over the blue faces of the Force.
A dream of returning to the Super Rugby fold a new reality, but a much-sought after win will have to be put on ice after letting slip yet another victory from their grasp.
The @MelbourneRebels are through to their first ever Finals Series after a dramatic finish against the @westernforce. #SuperRugbyAU #REBvFOR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 5, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/ywq3F0kpQa pic.twitter.com/mxHmNtPJY1
Meanwhile, up north, the Queensland Reds warmed up for the finals with yet another impressive performance by beating the minor-premiers, the Brumbies, 26-7.
Their defence under the unheralded Michael Todd - an analyst who was thrown in the deep end when COVID struck and the Reds had to let go assistant coach Peter Ryan because of financial stress - has become rock solid.
Like all good sides, too, they're learning the ability to pounce on their opponents mistakes and counter-attacking at will.
👌 Flick of the wrist. #REDvBRU #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 5, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/ms0m3PBMDA pic.twitter.com/o2L5qkeYqv
All the Waratahs could do was cross their fingers and hope for a miracle. It almost came. Almost.
So how will the inaugural finals series take place?
By finishing in top spot the Brumbies automatically progress to the final and will host the big dance in Canberra on September 19.
COVID restrictions will still be in place, but it's hoped more than 6,000 people will be able to attend the match at GIO Stadium.
READ MORE
PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOW: Reds beat Brumbies on eve of Super Rugby final series
TA-TA TAHS: Rebels score with 60 seconds left to seal maiden finals berth
WATCH OUT WALLABIES! Jordan magic seals South Island win over North as New Zealand issues Bledisloe warning
It will be the Brumbies' first home final since they crushed the Crusaders 47-38 and Mark Gerrard scored a hat-trick, Joe Roff a double and a little ol' halves paring by the names George Gregan and Stephen Larkham pulled the strings.
The Brumbies will take on the winner of the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels, who will play in the preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium on September 12.
It's the first time the Reds have hosted a final since South Africa's Sharks ambushed Ewen McKenzie's side in the quarter-finals in 2012.
PAST RESULTS
The Rebels and Reds first met in the second round of Super Rugby AU. It was a game both sides would want to forget, with neither side handling the wet conditions well.
Not even Super Time could separate the two sides, with the match finishing 18-18.
More recently, the Reds produced one of their most gutsy wins in their history as they managed to hold on and win 19-3 in Brisbane despite being forced to make more than three times as many tackles as the Rebels.
FINALS SCHEDULE
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Queensland Reds v Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kick-off: 7:15pm AEST, September 12
GRAND FINAL
Brumbies v winner of preliminary final at GIO Stadium, GIO Stadium. Kick-off: 7:15pm AEST, September 19
HOW TO WATCH
Live on Foxtel, Foxtel Now or Kayo Sports.
