Barrett drops in late to deny the Brumbies
BEAUDEN Barrett’s 81st minute drop-goal led the Blues to a dramatic 21-19 win over the Brumbies to secure first place with a game to spare before the play-offs.
The third place Brumbies thought they’d won the top of the table clash when Billy Pollard went over off a driving maul two minutes from time, with Noah Lolesio’s conversion putting them ahead.
In a cagey first half, Pete Samu scored the opening try but Stephen Perofeta’s penalty and Barrett’s crossover put the Blues ahead at half time.
The Brumbies went ahead with Folau Faingaa’s touchdown but Karl Tuinukuafe crossed and five points from the boot of Perofeta regained the visitors lead.
Pollard looked to have scored the winner but Barrett dropped back into the pocket with ice in his veins and slotted the match winnner.
The Crusaders – without numerous stars – walloped the Fijian Drua 61-3. Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson opted to rest the likes of Pablo Matera, David Havili, Will Jordan, Richie Mo’unga, while Codie Taylor was nursing injured ribs.
However, the Crusaders put on an enthralling display to show their title credentials as they scored nine tries to sweep aside a helpless Drua.
Tries from Leicester Faingaanuku, Tom Christie, Sam Whitelock and Sevu Reece put the home side in a commanding position at half time 28-3 ahead.
In the second half Crusaders’ ruthless nature was on show as they scored 33 further unanswered points through tries by Fraser Burke, George Bridge, Braydon Ennor and second scores for Reece and Christie.
At Suncorp Stadium, the Reds had to dig deep to end their four-match losing streak against Moana Pasifika with a 3422 win courtesy of tries from Fraser Mcreight, Harry Hoopert, Harry Wilson and a brace by Jock Campbell.
The game ended in chaos with Moana Pasifika crossing for a try that should have been reversed when the scorer Henry Time-Stowers stepped into touch. The miss from the officials costing the Reds a vital bonus point.
All Blacks centre Quinn Tupaea scored three tries as the Chiefs beat the Western Force 54-21 to consolidate fourth place.
Tupaea touched down twice in a competitive first half after which the Chiefs led 21-7.
The Force had their best period of the match at the end of the first half when they were almost constantly on attack and scored their first try through former Chiefs winger Toni Pulu.
But Tupaea scored his third in the 46th minute to herald a strong second half from the Chiefs who scored five more tries in an eight tries to three, bonuspoint win.
The Hurricanes secured their third straight win as they thrashed the Melbourne Rebels 45-22 courtesy of tries from Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Blake Gibson, James Blackwell, Siua Maile, Jordie Barrett and Aiden Morgan.
This morning’s game sees the resurgent Highlanders host the seventh place Waratahs.