The Brumbies took on one of the biggest tasks in rugby as they looked to beat the Bulls in a finals match at Loftus for the first time ever.
To use a well worn cliche, it took the full 80 minutes for the Brumbies to get the win with Tevita Kuridrani’s try at the death.
They now move onto the final for the first time since 2004 in Hamilton against the Chiefs, who just got over the Crusaders 20-19 earlier tonight.
The Match
The Brumbies settled early nerves with a penalty to Christian Lealiifano. This was after they attacked the Bulls line early on the back of good work from Clyde Rathbone who knocked Akona Ndungane into touch from the kick off.
The Brumbies were awarded a scrum and continued their great scrum work from last week and demolished the Bulls scrum in the process and received a penalty but Lealiifano’s attempt was wide.
The Brumbies silenced the home fans and Jesse Mogg scored the opening try in the eleventh minute after some special work from Henry Speight. The winger shrugged off three defenders before an offload to Mogg who scored in the right corner. Lealiifano converted to put the Brumbies up by 10.
The Bulls finally got their hands on the ball on the back of a penalty and eventually JJ Engelbrecht crossed for their opening try after some side to side play in the lead up appeared to have wasted the chance.
Unbelievably, Morne Steyn took until his third shot at goal to be successful with a penalty goal closing the gap to two.
Lealiifano restored the lead to five with his second penalty of the night, but Steyn responded after being roughed up by Matt Toomua in the lead up.
As the half dragged on the Brumbies defence was proving vital as the teams resorted to kicking for field position. Another scrum penalty to the Brumbies was converted by Lealiifano to make the score 16-11, which it would remain at the half time break.
The Bulls came out with a better attitude in the second half and almost scored immediately but for George Smith making a miraculous try saving tackle to deny the home side. The Bulls had advantage from an earlier offside so Steyn took the penalty goal to reduce the gap yet again.
Another dominant scrum display from the Brumbies yielded their next points with another Lealiifano penalty. But as was the theme of the game, the Bulls kept the Brumbies within reach with another Steyn three pointer.
George Smith was putting on a dominant display and was causing the Bulls headaches all over the field.
The Bulls hit the lead for the first time on 60 minutes though the boot of Steyn as the momentum started to swing in their favour.
The biggest cheer of the night came after the Bulls finally opted for the penalty goal attempt which Steyn converted.
But there was more to come as the Brumbies somehow got their hands on the ball, something they barely had in the second half. Matt Toomua hit the line and offloaded to Tevita Kuridrani who dived over to score but the decision went to the TMO to rule on an alleged forward pass.
The TMO gave the OK and Lealiifano converted to give the Brumbies a well deserved 26-23 win over the Bulls who had never lost a finals match at Loftus.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The Bulls declined shots at penalty goal late in the second half and it came back to bite them as the Brumbies scored right at the death.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
George Smith. Dominant all night. If he wasn’t burgling rucks he was stealing tries off the Bulls.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby watch
Scott Sio. This guy has come a long way and has thoroughly deserved his Wallabies call up.
[/one_third]
The Details
Crowd: 35,000ish. Mostly angry.
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BULLS: 23
Tries: Engelbrecht
Conversions:
Penalties: Steyn 6
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]BRUMBIES: 26
Tries: Mogg, Kuridrani
Conversions: Lealiifano 2
Penalties: Lealiifano 4
[/one_half]
Cards & Citings
Nil
