The ACT Brumbies delivered a timely reminder of their status in Australian rugby with a clinical 39-26 comeback victory over the Queensland Reds at a rain-soaked Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Key moments
4′ – Len Ikitau knocked unconscious attempting to tackle Lachie Anderson, replaced by Ollie Sapsford
6′ – Hunter Paisami chip and chase try after being put into space by Matt Faessler, outpacing James Slipper (7-0)
12′ – Matt Faessler leaves field injured, replaced by Richie Asiata
20′ – Richie Asiata close-range try following Tate McDermott’s break, Tom Lynagh converts (14-0)
22′ – Rob Valetini powers over Tim Ryan after Brumbies force turnover, Noah Lolesio converts (14-7)
27′ – Nick Frost denied try by TMO for knock-on when grounding the ball
31′ – Allan Alaalatoa barges over from short range for his fourth try of the season, Lolesio converts to level scores (14-14)
39′ – Tuaina Taii Tualima drives over from pick-and-go near the line, Lolesio converts for half-time lead (21-14)
46′ – Richie Asiata scores his second try, splitting off from maul to power over Andy Muirhead, Lynagh’s conversion misses (21-19)
50′ – Billy Pollard scores from rolling maul after Reds penalized from kick-off, Lolesio hits post with conversion (26-19)
54′ – Billy Pollard gets his second from another maul following Brumbies scrum penalty, Lolesio conversion successful (31-19)
63′ – Fraser McReight makes crucial turnover inside Brumbies 22 to relieve pressure
72′ – Ryan Lonergan slots 48-metre penalty after Luke Reimer wins second pilfer penalty of night (34-19)
79′ – Dre Pakeho consolation try from Lachie Anderson pass after counter-attack, Jude Gibbs converts (34-26)
80′ – Corey Toole finishes match with corner try after Tom Wright break following Reds kick-off error (39-26)
In a contest featuring milestone appearances for both captains – Tate McDermott and Andy Muirhead each playing their 100th Super Rugby matches – it was the visitors who emerged triumphant after weathering an early Reds storm and overturning a 14-point deficit.
The impressive win, their fourth consecutive victory over Queensland and third straight at Suncorp Stadium, sees the Brumbies leapfrog the Reds into third place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder and firmly establishes them in the all-important top four.
Heavy rain before kick-off created challenging conditions, but it was the home side who adapted best initially, racing to a 14-0 lead inside 20 minutes. Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami opened the scoring with a brilliant chip-and-chase effort in the sixth minute, outpacing James Slipper to gather and score after being put into space by Matt Faessler.
The Reds extended their advantage when replacement hooker Richie Asiata, on early for the injured Faessler, crashed over from close range following sharp work from scrum-half McDermott. Tom Lynagh’s conversion made it 14-0, and the home crowd sensed a statement victory in the making.
However, the Brumbies, renowned for their set-piece prowess and physical approach, gradually worked their way back into the contest. The turnaround began in the 22nd minute through the sheer power of dual John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini, who charged through Reds fly-half Tim Ryan to score the visitors’ first try.
A concerning moment came early for the Brumbies when centre Len Ikitau was knocked unconscious attempting to tackle Lachie Anderson, forcing him from the field to be replaced by Ollie Sapsford. The substitute proved influential as the match progressed, helping the Brumbies establish territorial dominance.
By the 31st minute, the scores were level when captain Allan Alaalatoa, enjoying a prolific try-scoring season by prop standards, barged over from close range for his fourth try of the year – remarkably accounting for half of his career total.
The Brumbies completed their first-half comeback just before the interval when number eight Tuaina Taii Tualima held his feet in contact and drove over the line, giving his side a 21-14 lead that seemed improbable just 20 minutes earlier.
The Reds coaches’ half-time team talk appeared to have immediate effect, with Asiata crossing for his second try in the 46th minute, splitting from a maul and powering over Andy Muirhead to bring the Reds within two points.
But the Brumbies’ dominant forward pack would not be denied. Hooker Billy Pollard emerged as the second-half hero, scoring twice in four minutes from well-executed rolling mauls as the visitors reasserted their authority. The second came after the Brumbies scrum won a crucial penalty, highlighting their set-piece superiority in the difficult conditions.
As the final quarter approached, the Reds found themselves increasingly frustrated by the Brumbies’ rush defence and efficient breakdown work. Replacement flanker Luke Reimer made two crucial turnovers, the second resulting in Ryan Lonergan’s impressive 48-metre penalty in the 72nd minute that effectively sealed the result at 34-19.
The teams traded late tries in an entertaining finish, with Dre Pakeho crossing for the Reds after excellent counter-attacking work from Lachie Anderson, before Corey Toole put the exclamation point on the Brumbies’ victory with a well-worked score in the corner after Tom Wright’s break.
The victory came at a significant cost for the Brumbies, however, with confirmation that Test loosehead prop Blake Schoupp had ruptured his Achilles tendon during the match. The in-form prop faces a lengthy rehabilitation period, adding to the Brumbies’ injury concerns with Ikitau also set to miss their next fixture under concussion protocols.
For the Reds, whose attacking style had earned plaudits in recent weeks, the defeat was a sobering reminder that skill must be matched with physical dominance, particularly in adverse conditions.
Brumbies captain Alaalatoa praised his teammates for “staying in the grind” despite the challenging conditions and early deficit. “We knew it was going to be a tough game,” he said. “The conditions, a bit of humidity, wet, yeah, we just wanted to get in the washing machine and stay in it and just work hard for each other, which I thought we did.”
“We spoke about it during the week. We knew what we were coming up against this week. So mentally we were in the right spot tonight and it’s just about gaining that consistency for the rest of the season.”
Reds coach Les Kiss was candid in his assessment of where the match was lost: “Each time we scored we exited poorly. We had two minutes in the opposition 22, they had eight minutes. We gifted too many opportunities for them to advance the game.”
He acknowledged the quality of the opposition while lamenting his side’s mental response to setbacks. “I’ve got to take my hat off to the Brumbies. They were very disciplined in what they did and, eventually, the pressure turned into points. I thought once we made a couple of errors we probably got a little bit down on ourselves. We went away from the style that we like to play.”
Captain Tate McDermott didn’t hide his disappointment after his milestone match ended in defeat. “We were really good in the first 15-20 minutes, then we were just really loose. We were almost trying to defend our 14-point lead. That’s the disappointing thing. We always talk about being fast and hard and we went away from those two key principles that got us the points in the first place.”
The result significantly dents Queensland’s hopes of a top-two finish, while the Brumbies continue their march towards the playoffs with renewed confidence. Both teams now look ahead to Round 10, where the Brumbies will host Moana Pasifika without the services of the concussed Ikitau, while the Reds will be desperate to bounce back against the Force.
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