The ACT Brumbies delivered a commanding statement performance with a crushing 40-17 victory over fierce rivals NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium, avenging their earlier season defeat and bolstering their top-three aspirations in Super Rugby Pacific.
Key moments:
3′ – Corey Toole scores opening try after silky Lolesio pass (5-0)
7′ – Jake Gordon yellow carded for dangerous no-arms tackle
9′ – Len Ikitau crashes over from close range (12-0)
18′ – Langi Gleeson intercepts pass and races away for Waratahs try (12-7)
22′ – Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii powers over to level scores (12-12)
33′ – Billy Pollard restores Brumbies lead with close-range try (19-12)
46′ – Allan Alaalatoa extends lead with captain’s try (26-12)
49′ – Billy Pollard scores his second try (33-12)
57′ – Corey Toole capitalises on Edmed mistake for his second (40-12)
76′ – Tom Hooper yellow carded for cynical play
77′ – Andrew Kellaway scores late consolation try (40-17)
On a night when election results scrolled across stadium screens in the nation’s capital, the Brumbies channelled the landslide mentality with a ruthless display that all but extinguished the Waratahs’ finals hopes.
From the opening whistle, the Brumbies demonstrated clear intent, breaking the Waratahs’ defensive line repeatedly with David Feliuai and Len Ikitau threatening early. They struck first in the third minute through a brilliantly executed set-piece. Instead of employing their renowned driving maul from a five-metre lineout, the Brumbies shifted the ball swiftly to the left flank where Noah Lolesio delivered a perfectly timed no-look pass from David Feliuai to find Corey Toole unmarked on the wing. The speedster had acres of space and strolled over for the opening try, though Lolesio’s conversion attempt struck the upright.
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The Waratahs’ night went from bad to worse just four minutes later when captain Jake Gordon was yellow-carded after throwing his body recklessly at Rob Valetini’s legs with no attempt to wrap in the tackle. It was an uncharacteristic error from the experienced Wallabies halfback that left referee Angus Gardner with little choice but to reach for his pocket.
The Brumbies wasted no time in capitalising on their numerical advantage. In the 9th minute, after sustained pressure and multiple phases, Len Ikitau spotted a gap around the ruck defence and dived over from close range for the Brumbies’ second try. Lolesio added the extras to extend the lead to 12-0, and the Waratahs appeared to be in serious trouble.
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With the Brumbies dominating possession and territory in the opening quarter, the outlook seemed bleak for the visitors who had barely touched the ball. But against the run of play, the Waratahs found an unlikely lifeline in the 18th minute through the inspirational Langi Gleeson. The dynamic number eight read a pass from Rory Scott brilliantly, snatching an intercept and showcasing impressive pace to race 40 metres untouched to the line. Lawson Creighton converted to reduce the deficit to 12-7 and suddenly inject belief into the Waratahs.
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The momentum continued to shift as the visitors began to find their rhythm. In the 22nd minute, a well-placed kick from Joey Walton pinned the Brumbies inside their own 22, forcing a penalty. From the resulting five-metre lineout, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii demonstrated his exceptional athletic prowess, running a perfect crash-ball line and using his considerable strength to power through multiple defenders and crash over. It was a rare sight to see a fullback take the ball at such pace with the defensive line so close, but Suaalii’s combination of speed and power proved irresistible. Creighton’s conversion attempt drifted wide in what had been a difficult night for the fly-half, leaving the scores level at 12-12.
The game was now finely balanced as both sides traded attacking forays. David Feliuai made a powerful break for the Brumbies, bumping off Suaalii in the process, though desperate Waratahs defence forced a turnover. The pressure eventually told in the 33rd minute when the Brumbies reverted to one of their traditional strengths. From a lineout maul near the Waratahs’ line, hooker Billy Pollard spotted a gap and splintered away to dive over for his seventh try of the season. Though the Waratahs felt aggrieved at what they perceived as forward passes in the build-up, Lolesio’s conversion pushed the Brumbies to a 19-12 half-time lead.
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The Waratahs came out firing after the break, with Suaalii again breaking clear before being hauled down by Corey Toole. Hooker Ethan Dobbins crashed over the line, but the TMO spotted a knock-on from Lalakai Foketi in the build-up, denying the visitors what would have been a crucial score.
That missed opportunity proved pivotal as the Brumbies proceeded to take full control. In the 46th minute, Tom Wright sparked a brilliant attacking move, selling a dummy that completely deceived Rob Leota before releasing his support runners. After multiple phases near the line, captain Allan Alaalatoa continued his prolific try-scoring form, crashing over for his sixth try of the season. Lolesio’s conversion extended the lead to 26-12.
The Brumbies were now in full flight, and just three minutes later they struck again. Wright carved through the Waratahs’ defence with a scintillating break, leaving defenders clutching at air. The attack was stopped just short of the line, but from the resulting phases, Pollard claimed his second try with another powerful surge from close range. Lolesio’s conversion pushed the score to 33-12, and the game was slipping away from the Waratahs.
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The coup de grâce came in the 57th minute after the Waratahs had introduced Tane Edmed at fly-half in place of the struggling Creighton. Trapped near his own line, Edmed attempted an ambitious chip kick to relieve pressure, but the ball skidded awkwardly on the wet GIO Stadium turf. Corey Toole, alert to the opportunity, scooped up the loose ball and gleefully dived over for his second try of the night. Lolesio’s fifth conversion from six attempts made it 40-12, and the contest was effectively over.
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Wright continued to terrorise the Waratahs’ defence in the final quarter, making two more long-range breaks that nearly resulted in tries. His first effort saw him chip over the defence only for the ball to find touch, while his second came after Andrew Kellaway failed to collect a high ball, with Wright being dragged down by Triston Reilly just short of the line.
The Brumbies might have added more points but were denied in the 72nd minute when Len Ikitau crossed the line after Lolesio somehow kept the ball in play with a remarkable piece of skill. However, the TMO identified a clear knock-on in the build-up, and the try was correctly disallowed.
Tom Hooper’s yellow card for cynical play at the ruck in the 76th minute gave the Waratahs a numerical advantage in the closing stages. They capitalised immediately when Tane Edmed threw a cut-out pass to Andrew Kellaway, who slid over in the corner for a late consolation try. Edmed’s conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving the final score at 40-17.
For the Brumbies, this vital bonus-point victory came after a gruelling “Test match Tuesday” training session where they went full contact to address defensive concerns following their disappointing loss to the Hurricanes, where they missed more than 60 tackles. The response was emphatic, with the home side dominating the physical exchanges and contact areas throughout.
“It feels great,” said jubilant Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa post-match. “The pleasing part was seeing the reaction from the boys. We spoke hard last week about our collision, our contact areas of the game, and I thought that was a much improved area tonight. The key thing for us is to take it into next week.”
Dan McKellar’s return to his former stomping ground ended in disappointment, with his Waratahs side still searching for their first away win in Super Rugby Pacific this season. What made the defeat more painful was that in March, the Waratahs had ended a 13-game losing streak against the Brumbies with a victory in Sydney.
“We came out of the blocks really hard, and we did a good job when I was in the bin and wrestled back the momentum and went into half-time pretty confident,” reflected a disappointed Jake Gordon. “We came out in the second half and had that try disallowed, and we couldn’t find our way back. We started to lose the collision off the back of it and they played really well off quick ball. It’s going to be a tough trip home.”
Having slipped to eighth on the ladder, the Waratahs face a must-win clash against the Queensland Reds in Sydney next Friday to keep their finals hopes alive, followed by a daunting encounter with the Crusaders the week after.
The result also provided Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt with plenty to consider ahead of the upcoming British & Irish Lions series. Billy Pollard enhanced his selection claims with an impressive two-try performance, while Corey Toole’s electric pace and finishing ability surely put him in the conversation for a Test call-up. Despite the defeat, Langi Gleeson and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii impressed for the Waratahs, with the latter showing flashes of brilliance in attack, making clean breaks, beating nine defenders and running 113 metres throughout the match.
The Brumbies’ dominant performance sees them consolidate third position on the ladder with 34 points, moving within striking distance of the Chiefs and Crusaders (both 37) while creating a six-point buffer over the fourth-placed Reds. Their quest for a top-two finish continues next week when they travel to Perth to face the Western Force, seeking redemption for their Round 2 defeat earlier in the season.
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