Last-gasp O’Connor try gives Reds crown
Brumbies beaten in Brisbane battle while Crusaders overcome courageous Chiefs
Skipper James O’Connor scored the winning try five minutes after the final hooter as the Queensland Reds beat the ACT Brumbies 19-16 to win the Super Rugby AU final in front of more than 40,000 fans in Brisbane last night.
Across the Tasman, the Canterbury Crusaders had to fight hard to overcome a courageous Waikato Chiefs side 24-13 in a thrilling final to retain the Super Rugby Aotearoa title at their Christchurch Stadium fortress.
The biggest crowd for a rugby match in the world this year gathered in Brisbane anticipating the coronation of Brad Thorn’s young side but the Brumbies almost spoiled the party with a mature display of percentage rugby.
Leading 16-12 but reduced to 13 men with two players in the sin bin, the reigning champions resisted surge after surge at their line in the final 10 minutes before the Reds finally moved the ball wide for fly half O’Connor to score.
It was a tough one, it always is against the Brumbies. Super proud of the boys JAMES O’CONNOR, REDS CAPTAIN
“It was a tough one, it always is against the Brumbies,” O’Connor said. “I’m super proud of the boys, they came home strong.”
Yellow cards for Rob Valetini, Henry Stowers and Darcy Swain in the last 20 minutes took their toll on the Brumbies as they attempted the defiant late stand.
In Christchurch, winger Sevu Reece and fullback Will Jordan scored tries in the first 16 minutes but thereafter the Crusaders – reduced to 13 men in the second half with Reece and hooker Cody Taylor in the sin bin for dangerous tackles – had to rely on the boot of Richie Mo’unga to keep the Chiefs at bay.
He kicked a conversion, three penalties and a drop goal and, just as importantly, banged the ball into the corners to keep the Chiefs in their own half late in the game.
“It was an awesome effort, so proud of the boys,” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.
“We got down to 13 men there for a while, it was tough.”