Captain Ryan Lonergan has stepped up to be the hero for the ACT Brumbies, slotting the last minute penalty for a 21-20 win over the Blues.
It's the first time the Brumbies have won at Eden Park in 12 years as they rallied from a ten point deficit, trailing until the final moment.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Brumbies rallied from a 10-point deficit, trailing until the final moment.
It was their scrum that proved the hero, turning the Blues inside out to force James Doleman no option but to award the penalty from right in front.
Lonergan made no mistake, allowing the visitors to close it out for an emotional win.
Despite winning 23 of their past 24 games against Australian opposition, the Blues couldn't deny the Brumbies a spirited comeback triumph on this occasion.
The hosts led 20-10 at the break after two runaway tries in the space of two minutes just before halftime to prop Angus Ta'avao and superstar centre Rieko Ioane.
Their lead would have been far larger had Beauden Barrett not sprayed two conversion attempts and a routine shot at a penalty goal.
But the Brumbies fought back doggedly in the second half, with a penalty goal from Declan Meredith reducing the deficit to seven points before the scrumhalf crossed out wide for his side's second try of the night.
Meredith missed the conversion attempt to leave the Brumbies trailing by two.
After dominating the scrum, lineout and breakdown, the Brumbies secured a decisive penalty with less than two minutes left, allowing Lonergan to boot the Canberrans to a famous victory.
The match had been all locked up at 10-all through 35 minutes, after Brumbies captain Allan Alalatoa's pick-and-drive effort cancelled out Barrett's early strike for the Blues.
But Ioane's first try since May 2023, and his milestone 50th in Super Rugby, looked to have given the Blues all the momentum entering the second half.
The Brumbies, though, had other ideas.
Their loose forwards kept the pressure on with several turnovers before one final penalty delivered an emotional win.
It leaves the Blues struggling at 1-3 and set for a nervous wait on the fitness of Barrett.
Barrett didn't return after the break after a hand injury that left coach Vern Cotter concerned.
Tries: Barrett, Ta'avao, Ioane
Cons: Barrett 1/3
Pens: Barrett 1/2
Tries: Alaalatoa, Meredith
Cons: Meredith 1/2
Pens: Meredith 2/2, Lonergan 1/1
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes.
Replacements: Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Tristyn Cook, Che Clark, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Corey Evans
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly
