16 minutes: Inside the growing Brumbies-Reds rivalry

Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 11:52 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Reds flyhalf James O'Connor, scrumhalf Kalani Thomas and coach Brad Thorn share memories from last year's final at Suncorp Stadium.

16 minutes, one second.

In all three matchups in 2021, this is the combined total the Queensland Reds led over the Brumbies.

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In contrast, the Brumbies were in front for 219 minutes, 40 seconds.

Wins: Queensland Reds 3 - 0 Brumbies.

The Reds-Brumbies rivalry has slowly become one of the hottest rivalries within Australian Rugby as both teams look to establish themselves as the premier side in Australia.

This is no different in 2022, with both sides starting the season undefeated in Super Rugby Pacific, occupying first and second on the ladder.

With the latest instalment set for Friday, Rugby.com.au looks back at the rivalry and the key games that have shaped it

SETTING THE SCENE

Both teams enter the inaugural Super Rugby AU season with different expectations coming out of the cancelled Super Rugby season.

When it was called to a halt, the Brumbies were in second place, using a narrow 27-24 win over the Reds to spearhead their season, losing just once in seven games - a 23-22 after-the-siren defeat to the Highlanders.

Meanwhile, the Reds found themselves struggling to turn strong performances into wins, two victories from seven coupled in with three narrow losses and a meltdown against the Jaguares.

When both teams met in round five of Super Rugby AU, there was a renewed optimism for Brad Thorn's side, taking a 20-14 lead into the final five minutes after two quick second-half tries to Angus Scott-Young and Harry Wilson.

However, the Brumbies clawed their way back into the match through Connal McInerney, with Mack Hansen slotting the 83rd-minute penalty to seal the 22-20 win.

The Reds would gain a matter of revenge, producing a dominant performance to turn an 18-0 lead into a 26-7 victory in the final round of the regular season.

FIRST BLOOD

With the regular season games' split, there was plenty of confidence in both camps as they headed to GIO Stadium for the much-anticipated decider.

After both flyhalves trade penalties, Folau Fainga'a and the Brumbies broke the game open through their favourite rolling maul.

Ten minutes, later, winger Andy Muirhead burst through three defenders to give the hosts a commanding 15-3 lead.

Whilst the Reds struck back through Harry Wilson and the boot of James O'Connor before the break, a strong run from Tom Banks resorted the lead.

A drop goal two minutes later from Noah Lolesio extended the margin and ultimately secured victory and the inaugural AU title for the Brumbies despite a late Ryan Smith try.

2020 Super Rugby AU Final: Brumbies 28-23

THE GREAT ESCAPE (Pt 1)

With all the attention on the grand final rematch, the Reds were left stunned as the Brumbies raced out to an early lead.

Doubles to Pete Samu and Folau Fainga'a allowed them to cruise to a 31-16 lead after 45 minutes.

However, injuries and the suspension of Allan Alaalatoa would come back to haunt the hosts as the Reds found dominance at scrum time and flipped the momentum.

In front of a vocal GIO Stadium, Brad Thorn's men turned the game on his head in a 20-minute burst thanks to tries to Taniela Tupou and Harry Wilson.

James O’Connor’s bold decision to go for a penalty with five minutes to go paid off as the Reds found a way through the Brumbies defence late. Hunter Paisami's grubber found space in the in-goal as Jordan Petaia somehow won the race amid a wild scramble to score the game-winning try.

2021 Super Rugby AU Round Four: Reds 40-38

Time leading (Reds): one minute, 17 seconds

Time leading (Brumbies): 76 minutes, 13 seconds

THE GREAT ESCAPE (Pt 2)

After a dominant showing against the Rebels, the Reds returned home for round two against the Brumbies full of confidence.

The sequel lived up to the hype and followed the same script as part one, with the Brumbies racing out to an early 12-0 lead thanks once again to Fainga'a and Banks.

Both teams would trade penalties, with a long-range Nic White effort putting the visitors clear at the break.

Josh Flook's solo effort would be cancelled out by Tom Wright's try in the corner as the Brumbies looked set to gain some revenge.

However, the Reds’ never-say-die attitude shown thrown, with a Jordan Petaia leaping try lighting up the Suncorp faithful.

With time remaining, a James O'Connor penalty would prove the difference, sealing the win and the home final.

2021 Super Rugby AU Round Eight: Reds 22-20

Time leading (Reds): 4 minutes, 27 seconds (including 1 min 25 seconds extra time)

Time leading (Brumbies): 71 minutes, 29 seconds

THE PERFECT STORM

After two thrillers, it was hard to see the Grand Final living up to expectations. It did so and more.

Suncorp Stadium was packed for the occasion, with 41,637 in attendance, the largest crowd for a domestic game in Australia in almost 20 years.

For the first time since their win back in 2020, the Reds opened the scoring through James O'Connor.

However, normal programming for this match-up shortly resumed ten minutes later when Banks collected an inside ball from Noah Lolesio to dive over.

Lolesio and O'Connor's boots would then contribute the remaining points in normal time, with a 70th-minute effort from the young Brumby giving them a late 16-12 lead.

Hunting for one last magic trick, the Reds found hope when Darcy Swain was sin-binned with six minutes to go.

Attacking the Brumbies line saw another player head to the bin, this time Luke Reimer, with the siren well and truly blown as the Reds fans found their voice with the game on the line.

Taniela Tupou looked to have scored from the resulting tap but was short. Amid the chaos and celebrating fans, replacement half Kalani Thomas found O'Connor in space, who darted over to secure the win and the title for Queensland.

2021 Super Rugby AU Final: Reds 19-16

Time leading (Reds): 10 minutes, 17 seconds

Time leading (Brumbies): 71 minutes, 58 seconds

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