Super Rugby AU: James O’Connor scores in final minutes to give Queensland Red 19-16 title victory over ACT Brumbies
The Queensland Reds did it again in the last play of the game to secure their first Super Rugby title in a decade.
It was written in the stars, wasn’t it? Having won twice throughout the regular season with the last play of the game, the Queensland Reds did it again to steal the match at the death and secure their first Super Rugby title in a decade.
The ACT Brumbies, resilient all match, gave it their all and had the chance to bury the game when Folau Fainga’a had a lineout throw with 90 seconds remaining on Saturday night.
But the Wallaby’s throw went long and Fraser McReight, the Junior Wallabies captain and Michael Hooper’s heir apparent, picked up the ball and raced forward.
Moments later the Reds had another penalty advantage, a two-person numerical advantage and one Taniela Tupou.
All the Reds really needed was Tupou, though.
The Wallabies tight-head prop dominated his Test teammate Scott Sio all evening and he saved his most important moment for the final play of the game, as the Reds won the scrum in front of the Brumbies post.
After a number of scrum resets, the Reds quick tapped and after Tupou went within a touch of paint James O’Connor scored to give the home side a 19-16 victory at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
It was the fairy tale O’Connor deserved. Having sacrificed $500,000 to return home ahead of the 2019 World Cup, the born-again playmaker became Australian rugby’s biggest redemption story as he sealed a match for the ages.
“It means a lot,” O’Connor said. “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.”
With that, 41,637 Queensland supporters rose as one like they did a decade ago when Quade Cooper and Will Genia inspired a generation, which came as quickly as it went.
Until then, the Reds had barely fired a shot.
Without Hunter Paisami, who suffered a fractured cheekbone during their upset loss to the Force in Perth a fortnight ago, the Reds’ attack struggled.
Like their two earlier matches, the Brumbies took a 13-6 lead into half-time.
Fullback Tom Banks scored the opening try after O’Connor’s 2nd minute penalty.
But in a tactical, pressure-filled match both teams opted to take the points when on offer and Noah Lolesio’s two penalties gave the visitors a seven-point lead.
Bit by bit the Reds closed, as O’Connor added another two penalties in-between a controversial card to Valetini.
The Wallabies back-rower was sin-binned midway through the second half as he stood tall and bear hugged Jock Campbell, as the slender back attempted to step inside.
Initially Nic Berry played on, but after consulting with his TMO and once that occurred there was only ever going to be one result: a card.
Berry said the degree of danger was “low” and the initial contact was “upper chest”, but players run the risk of being thrown the book if they don’t attempt to tackle low and the Brumbies back-rower paid the price.
Despite it, the Reds could find no way through with their smaller midfield.
The Brumbies, who went into the clash without Wallabies centurion James Slipper and Test backrower Pete Samu, provided a tactical masterclass to keep the Reds tryless for all but the final second of the game.
Without Samu, as well as backrowers Jahrome Brown and Tom Cusack, Dan McKellar opted for extra height at the lineout and chose Nick Frost at blindside flanker.
Frost, together with Cadeyrn Neville and Darcy Swain, dominated the Reds’ lineout which continues to be their Achilles heel.
The Reds might have dominated the scrum, but their good work was often undone by their failure to win the lineout.
It looked like killing their hopes when Alex Mafi overthrew with two minutes remaining.
But as they say, the rest is history as O’Connor sealed an incredible victory and left the brave Brumbies heartbroken.
Crusaders survive two cards to seal fifth straight Super Rugby NZ title
Fox Sports reports:
The Chiefs pulled off a number of miracles to make the final. They needed to somehow pull off another one to deny the Crusaders a fifth straight Super Rugby NZ title and a 25th straight home final win.
Midway through the second-half they could sniff a victory as two Crusaders were sent the sin bin and Damian McKenzie closed the margin to 15-13, but the Kings of Super Rugby rallied off the back of some Richie Mo’unga magic to win 24-13 in Christchurch.
Just like Dan Carter at the 2015 World Cup, a field goal proved pivotal as Mo’unga slotted a three-pointer to stop the Chiefs’ momentum.
It came after he took a clearing kick and broke down field out wide, before linking up with Bryn Hall.
Two penalties in quick succession extended the margin and the Crusaders name reverberated around Orangetheory Stadium.
The victory gave Scott Robertson his fifth consecutive title since taking over from Todd Blackadder to continue to put pressure on All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
Robertson roared as Mo’unga delivered the killer blow. Soon after he was jumping for joy.
New Zealand Rugby has a decision to make: Whether to ask Robertson to wait or risk losing him overseas.
REPORT is here.
‘Cry all the time’: $5m man’s road from rags to riches
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii knew at a young age how much a dollar was really worth, as his parents worked night and day to make ends meet. Before he was even a teenager he knew he needed to step up.
Game changer for a game in need of a superhero
For most of his career, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been pushed and pulled in different directions by those who want something from him and two rugby codes that claim him as their own when he belongs to both. I just want to watch Suaalii play.