Super Rugby 2025 As It Happened: Brumbies back in winner’s circle after brutal demolition of Waratahs

The Waratahs’ extended bout of homesickness shows no sign of being cured after a comprehensive 40-17 defeat against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Despite keeping in touch for much of the first half, keeping the score to 19-12 under immense pressure, the Waratahs were stunned by 21 unanswered points in the second half from a ruthless Brumbies side.

The Waratahs’ stunning victory in Sydney against the Brumbies in March became a distant memory after they were out-thought and outmuscled by the home side.

The visitors got the game off to the worst possible start with Brumbies winger Corey Toole and centre Len Ikitau scoring tries in the first ten minutes and captain Jake Gordon getting a yellow card after unwisely throwing his body head first at Rob Valetini’s lower limbs as a sky blue speed bump.

In the nation’s capital, a landslide victory for the Brumbies was predicted, but the ever-impressive Waratahs’ No.8 Langi Gleeson’s read of Rory Scott’s pass gave a crucial intercept and a try for a man who is proving impossible for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to ignore ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

Five minutes later, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scored from close range, in an all-round impressive performance. The full-back provided much of the highlight reel for the Waratahs with his breaks throughout the game, although that reel got increasingly spartan as the minutes ticked on.

Despite a converted try from Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard to leave the game at 19-12, the Waratahs went into the warmth of the dressing rooms confident that their impressive recovery from a slow start could set the platform for a strong second half. It wasn’t to be.

The Brumbies scored three unanswered converted tries through captain Allan Alaalatoa, Pollard and Toole. After Suaalii’s impressive early breaks for the Waratahs, his Wallabies teammate Tom Wright reminded everyone of his class, being at the heart of the Brumbies’ attacking strategy, which utilised the full width of the slippery GIO Stadium field.

Wright’s performance was also a timely reminder to Rugby Australia of his importance, given he is one of the last high-profile contracts to be signed and sealed ahead of the World Cup.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar had spoken with affection of his former employers at the Brumbies, where he was once tasked by current coach Stephen Larkham to create the best maul in club rugby. That maul, driven by a Brumbies ruthless pack, came back to haunt McKellar, despite brave efforts from Gleeson and hooker Ethan Dobbins in defence.

A late try from Waratahs winger Andrew Kellaway provided a thin layer of polish to a scoreline that already made sore reading.

The Waratahs will travel down the Hume Highway pleased to return to home comforts, starting with the daunting challenge of the Reds in Sydney next Friday evening, followed by the Crusaders the week after.

Corey Toole of the Brumbies celebrates scoring a try in a dominating performanceCredit: Getty Images

It’s definitely too little to late as Andrew Kellaway slides over for a very late try after getting some rare forward dominance after the Brumbies second-rower Tom Hooper was yellow-carded for cynical play at the ruck.

There are unsurprisingly no celebrations and if it just adds a thin layer of polish to the scoreboard on a brutal night for the Waratahs.

And that’s the game. The Waratahs homesickness continues.

Brumbies 40 Waratahs 17

Corey Toole of the Brumbies is tackled by the WaratahsCredit: Getty Images

There are ten minutes to go and the Waratahs are 28 points down.

The shock win against the Brumbies in March in Sydney seems to be a lifetime ago.

After some brilliance from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at stages in the game, his opposing fullback Tom Wright has reminded Wallabies selectors why he holds the international number 15 jersey posing a constant danger every time he touches the ball.

The Brumbies have physically outmatched the Waratahs and also stifled any attempt to string together an attacking strategy.

It’s been a bruising return to his former employer for Waratahs coach Dan McKellar. We are into damage limitation mode now.

Brumbies 40 Waratahs 12

Billy Pollard races to the line to score for the BrumbiesCredit: Getty Images

This is a game that may well spell the end of the Waratahs’ hopes of being a playoffs contender. It’s not a good night to be a supporter of teams in blue.But it is also a game that highlights the Brumbies’ bona fides as a title contender.

The ACT side have been outstanding, executing with power and pace and proving just-about unstoppable when they get down in the Waratahs’ red zone.Billy Pollard has done plenty to stick his hand up for a Wallabies role to play against the Lions.

The Waratahs have had no answers at times, and they’ve fallen out of the contest with an inability to match the Brumbies for flawless execution when in possession.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been one of the few positives for NSW. He’s a sight to behold with a few angry pills on board. But he was lucky to escape further scrutiny for a late, no-arms tackle on Noah Lolesio.

That’s cruel on Tane Edmed, he tries to make something out of nothing after picking up a loose ball on his tryline, he chips the ball through, but it skids brutally on the wet turf and Corey Toole scoops it up gratefully and sprints through for an easy try.

The game is getting away from the Waratahs. A ruthless performance from the Brumbies.

Brumbies 40 Waratahs 12

Billy Pollard of the Brumbies dives to score a tryCredit: Getty Images

The Waratahs are having no joy at all at the breakdown and replacement breakaway Luke Reimer snaffles the ball after Hugh Sinclair does brilliantly to collect a Jake Gordon box kick.

There have been patches of brilliance from the Waratahs through Suaalii, but the mechanical and menacing Brumbies pack has definitely dominated tonight.

Tom Wright’s ability to stretch the defence from the backline with a confident Noah Lolesio has helped build a rounded side tonight.

Brumbies 33 Waratahs 12

Tom Wright of the Brumbies in action against the WaratahsCredit: Getty Images

Hooker Billy Pollard as ever is almost impossible to stop from close range to extend the Brumbies lead.

In the build-up Noah Lolesio was smashed by a shoulder-charge by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and it will be a surprise if the TMO doesn’t have a look at it.

The Waratahs have changed their whole front row and Miles Amatosero has replaced Ben Grant in the second-row, in an attempt to get some momentum back in the game.

What can Taniela Tupou do with 30 minutes left on the clock?

Brumbies 33 Waratahs 12

Hugh Sinclair of the Waratahs is tackled by the Brumbies’ defenceCredit: Getty Images

Brumbies’ captain Allan Alaalatoa crashes over for his sixth try of the season, but it all came through a great break from the ever-dangerous Tom Wright who sold a dummy that NSW breakaway Rob Leota bought completely.

It’s been a great showdown tonight between Suaalii and Wright, such different players, but both exceptional to watch on their games.

Brumbies 26 Waratahs 12

Joey Walton of the Waratahs kicks ahead against the BrumbiesCredit: Getty Images

Another brilliant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii break takes the Waratahs nearly the length of the field, with Corey Toole doing well to halt the bigger man.

The TMO spotted a knock on from Lalakai Foketi which rubs out a potential try scoring opportunity from the impressive NSW hooker Ethan Dobbins.

These two sides are incapable of playing out a dull game. An infinitely better start to the second half compared to the first.

The Brumbies are enjoying some dominance at the breakdown and this is where the game could easily be won.

Brumbies 19 Waratahs 12

Len Ikitau of the Brumbies is tackled by the WaratahsCredit: Getty Images

Halftime had come at a good time for everyone. Including the fans. What a helter-skelter pace. This is a superb game and one that will have generated what passes for a smile on Joe Schmidt’s face.The Brumbies have a seven-point lead and it’s deserved.

They’ve been the better side, with dominance in contact, sharp and hard running lines, and a strong sense of their game.

That has caused the Waratahs plenty of problems in defence, and they’ve struggled to get any front-foot ball when they’re in possession - mostly due to a lack of physical dominance at the contact line. But they’ve displayed one of their greatest strengths - hang-in-ability.

Somehow, the Tahs got enough ball to finally piece together some repeat phase play, and they made the most of those crumbs.

The Brumbies should be further ahead. But they aren’t - and if the Tahs can hang on to the ball longer, this gripping game has a long way to run.

Corey Toole scores for the BrumbiesCredit: Getty Images