Reds steal 19-16 win over Brumbies in Super Rugby final epic

Brendan Bradford

Reds steal 19-16 win over Brumbies in Super Rugby final epic image

The Queensland Reds have stolen a 19-16 victory after five minutes of injury time to claim the Super Rugby AU title in an instant classic against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium. 

In front of 42,000 fans, Reds flyhalf James O'Connor scored an 85th minute try against a 13-man Brumbies team desperately clinging onto 16-13 lead. 

With Darcy Swain and Luke Reimer in the bin, the Brumbies' scrum was reduced to just six men, but despite two attempts, the Reds couldn't take advantage. 

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou went within centimetres of scoring the match-winner for the Reds, before O'Connor made sure of it seconds later. 

It's the Reds' first title since Quade Cooper, Will Genia and Digby Ioane guided the side to a debut Super Rugby win 10 years ago. 

"It's always a tough one against the Brumbies, and credit to them. That was a bloody Test match," O'Connor said afterwards. 

"Super proud of my boys, they came on strong. We started slow again, but we got there. I'm bloody stoked.

"It was just holding the ball. We know if we held the ball against the Brumbies, they tend to give away penalties close to the line."

O'Connor opened the scoring with a penalty inside the opening two minutes.

The Bumbies camped inside the Reds' half for the next 10 minutes before Noah Lolesio offloaded inside to Tom Banks for the first try of the match.

The defending champions dominated the opening 25 minutes as the Reds coughed up possession and made twice as many tackles.

Reds loosehead prop Feao Fotuaika powered over the line, but was held up before O'Connor and Lolesio traded penalties. Another Lolesio penalty made the halftime score 13-6 to the Brumbies.

Reds winger Jordan Petaia almost scored a miracle try in the corner four minutes into the second half, but was taken into touch as he attempted a superman finish near the flag.

A third O'Connor penalty narrowed the gap to four points, and the electric encounter threatened to boil over in the 57th minute when Lukhan Salakaia-Loto shirt-fronted Darcy Swain after the Brumbies lock shoved Reds flanker Fraser McReight. 

Brumbies No.8 Rob Valetini was sin binned after a dubious high shot as halfback Nic White's experience and kicking game kept the Brumbies in the lead. 

Up a man, the Reds ran the ball from everywhere, with O'Connor narrowing the gap to 13-12 with his fourth penalty of the game. 

Lolesio landed an easy penalty after he was caught around the head, before Swain was sin binned with less than five minutes remaining on the clock.

The Reds Hammered the Brumbies' line as time expired, before referee Nick Berry reduced the desperate ACT outfit to 13 men by sending Reimer to bin.

Taniela Tupou was stopped just inches short of the line when he took a tap froma  penalty just meters out from the line, before O'Connor slid over from close range to steal the win. 

 

 

Brendan Bradford