NewsBite

Updated

Queensland Reds claim 2021 Super Rugby AU after thriller in Brisbane

The Queensland Reds have somehow managed to claim their first Super Rugby title in 10 years after a nailbiting contest in Brisbane.

Nic SavageNic Savage
@nic_savage1
4 min read
May 9, 2021 - 7:21AM
Queensland Reds win 2021 Super Rugby AU title in thrilling finish

The Queensland Reds have won the 2021 Super Rugby AU title after a nailbiting conclusion to Saturday evening’s final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

After trailing the Brumbies for most of the contest, Queensland captain James O’Connor dived over deep into overtime to help the Reds claim their first title in 10 years.

The hosts were unable to muster a try in 85 minutes of action, but finally clinched a five-pointer against 13 men, securing the 19-16 victory in front of screaming 41,637 fans.

“Queensland are the comeback kings,” Sean Maloney said on Channel 9’s commentary.

The final 10 minutes could only be described as chaotic — referee Nic Berry bombarded the Brumbies with penalties as the visitors desperately defended from their own tryline.

The defending champions were shown three yellow cards in the second half, which ultimately proved their undoing.

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika called the ending “absolute carnage”.

“It means a lot,” O’Connor said after the win. “I’m super proud. It was a tough contest. It always is with the Brumbies, credit to them because that was a Test match.

“I’m just super proud of my boys. We started a bit slow again, but we got there. I’m bloody stoked.”

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said: “We’ve got to be proud of that effort. We spoke about resilience coming out here against 40,000 people and we really dug deep.

“To all our supporters back home, and our families, thank you so much and we’ll go again next week in the Trans Tasman.”

First half wrap

The hosts were awarded a penalty two minutes after kick-off, and Queensland captain James O’Connor held his nerve to slot the three-pointer from more than 40 metres out.

But the defending champions struck back soon after, with young gun Noah Lolesio setting up fullback Tom Banks with a classy pop pass for the opening try, briefly silencing the Brisbane crowd.

However, the Brumbies were utterly outclassed in the scrum throughout the first half, with Taniela Tupou relentlessly dominating his rival prop.

The Reds thought they had mustered their first try of the match when Feao Fotuaika dived over in the 29th minute.

But replays showed the foot of Brumbies halfback Nic White had intervened, with referee Nic Berry adjudicating the Queensland prop took too long grounding the ball.

The Reds had to settle for a penalty kick as a chorus of boos echoed around the venue.

The visitors extended their lead back to four points when Lolesio slotted a three-pointer from the other end in the 32nd minute.

Moments before the halftime siren, the Brumbies fly half booted another penalty kick to give his side a seven-point lead.

Second half wrap

Jordan Petaia came inches from pulling off a miracle try on the right wing early in the second half, but his body had gone into touch moments before grounding the ball.

Soon after, Reds forward Harry Wilson was helped off the ground after suffering a head knock while attempting a tackle.

Queensland captain James O’Connor missed a crucial penalty kick in the 47th minute, striking the left post from 33 metres out, but redeemed himself soon after to reduce the deficit to just four points.

Rob Valetini was shown a yellow card in the 61st minute after a dangerous tackle, leaving the Brumbies with 14 men for 10 minutes.

Soon after, O’Connor booted his fourth penalty kick of the night to set up a thrilling finish.

Another crucial Lolesio three-pointer extended the Brumbies lead back to four points as Valetini rejoined the action in the 72nd minute.

With less than five minutes remaining on the clock, the Reds started bravely called for scrums and lineouts instead of taking regulation penalty kicks in front of goal.

The Brumbies were shown another yellow card following a Darcy Swain infringement while defending on the tryline.

The visitors botched a lineout in the dying moments, gifting the Reds one final chance to push for an unlikely win.

Queensland thought they had mustered the decisive try in the 81st minute, but they were instead awarded another scrum in front of the posts.

If things weren’t dramatic enough at Suncorp Stadium, the Brumbies were then reduced to 13 men with Luke Reimer sent to the bin.

Berry continued to award penalties as the Reds relentlessly peppered the opposition tryline, but the defiant Brumbies showed their class in defence with just 13 men.

However, the decisive moment finally came in the 85th minute, with O’Connor diving over the end a thrilling contest.

Crusaders clinch Aotearoa title

Earlier on Saturday, the Crusaders clinched their fifth consecutive Super Rugby title with a 24-13 victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch — despite copping two yellow cards in wet conditions.

However, the match was briefly halted in the 70th minute when a streaker sprinted onto Orangetheory Stadium.

“We’ve got an idiot on the field so we’ll just halt play here,” Grant Nisbett said in commentary.

Streaker mars Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Streaker mars Super Rugby Aotearoa final.

For a period in the second half when the Crusaders were defending a narrow 15-13 lead, they were down to 13 men, with All Blacks Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece in the sin bin.

But fly half Mo’unga, whose footwork had baffled the Chiefs through much of the match, refused to be flustered as he produced raking touch finders to force them back and extended the scoreline with a drop goal and a penalty.

By the time the Crusaders were back to a full complement of 15 they were 21-13 ahead with 12 minutes to play and Mo’unga added a further penalty to settle the score.

In a clash of Test match intensity before a sold-out crowd of 17,400, McKenzie scored 14 of the Crusaders’ points, while Damian McKenzie produced all the Chiefs’ points with a converted try and two penalties.

It is the Crusaders’ second crown in two seasons of the New Zealand competition, to go with their 10 titles in 24 years in the multi-national tournament.

— with AFP

Read related topics:BrisbaneLive Sport
More related stories
Kiss focused on task with Reds
Rugby

Kiss focused on task with Reds

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss isn’t being distracted by talk that he will soon be confirmed as the man to take over from Wallabies mentor Joe Schmidt.

Read more

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/super-rugby-au-final-queensland-reds-vs-act-brumbies-live-blog/news-story/6d63ad7fc503fce6409b0735b65b1664