The Plus 500 Brumbies have beaten the Western Force in a 29-28 thriller on Tuesday evening at Viking Park in Canberra, in what was the final trial match before the Super Rugby AU season opener.
Trailing for most of the game, an 86th minute penalty from Ryan Lonergan gave the Brumbies a one-point lead in the final minutes.
The first try came in the 40th minute from what is now a famous Brumbies maul, setting the tone for a physical battle where points were not going to come easy.
Six minutes later the Force fired back when Richard Kahui showed his experience, spinning away from three Brumbies players after Tomas Cubelli’s quick tap.
The passion, desire and willingness from the Force brought upon another try just three minutes after their first, seeing fullback Jake Strachan go underneath the post.
At half time, the Force lead the Brumbies 14-7 but both teams came out firing and in attack immediately after the restart.
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However, Mack Hanson’s “basketball pass” was intercepted by Kahui, resulting in a 58-metre try to seal his double.
The Brumbies remained hopeful though and through the impact of Rob Valenti’s was evident in attack, and it wasn’t long before substitute Noah Lolesio showed his poise to set up a score in the second half.
At the 56th minute, once again, the Brumbies set piece maul off the lineout was dominant, forcing the referee to award a penalty try.
The Force were not willingly to give up though, and showed signs of maturity from last year, and it wasn’t long for a perfectly measured grubber kick from Domingo Miotti to Grason Makara.
The Force took the lead 28-26 in the final minutes of the game but a silly mistake from Wallaby veteran Tevita Kuridrani lead to a Brumbies penalty right in front.
The final result, 29-28.
Both teams will face off again next Friday night at HBF Park in Perth while the Reds will play the Waratahs.
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Plus 500 Brumbies versus Western Force Trial match at Vikings Park, Canberra.
RESULT: 29-28
Plus 500 Brumbies
Tries: Lonergan, Penalty try, Fines-Leleiwasa, McInerney.
Cons: White, Lonergan, McInerney.
Pens: Lonergan.
Yellow/red cards: N/A
Away team: Western Force
Tries: Kahui 2, Strachan, Makara
Cons: McIntyre 3, Miotti
Pens: N/A
Yellow/red cards: N/A
