Toole try completes Brumbies fightback
THE Brumbies stole an unforgettable, high-octane Australian derby as Corey Toole’s 77th-minute try completed an astonishing 40-36 comeback win against the Waratahs.
On the eve of Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad announcement, the Tahs started brightest, scoring through Dylan Pietsch and Dave Porecki before Len Ikitau crossed in his return for the Brumbies.
A chaotic end to the half saw the Tahs score through Jed Holloway despite being reduced to 13 men as Harry Johnson-Holmes and Daniel Botha were binned for repeated infringements defending the line before James Slipper powered over, leaving the visitors 21-14 up at the break.
The Brumbies thought they’d drawn level minutes into the second half, but a forward pass denied them a try before Lalakai Foketi finished off a stunning end-to-end try off the resulting scrum to stretch the lead for Darren Coleman’s side.
Slipper completed a rare try double minutes later before Mark Nawaqanitawase’s wonderful chip and chase score once again kept the Canberra-based side at bay. But scores from Pete Samu and Lachie Lonergan on either side of Michael Hooper’s yellow card gave Stephen
Larkham’s side a 35-33 lead with ten to play.
Ben Donaldson regained the lead for the Waratahs before Toole’s well-worked winner secured the 11th straight win for the Brumbies over their Aussie rivals.
“It was unreal. We were under pressure a lot in the first half and we made it hard for ourselves but you’ve got to be proud of the boys,” Brumbies capFormer tain Allan Alaalatoa said.
“It wasn’t perfect, but we still found a way to win and that’s something to be proud of, I thought our finishers came on and did an awesome job in the back half.”
The Crusaders took care of business against a sloppy Reds outfit, winning 25-12 at Suncorp Stadium for their third straight victory.
Despite missing six All
Blacks, Scott Robertson’s side managed the opening stages best as Leicester Fainga’anuku continued his scintillating form, scoring his sixth try in the last three games.
Dom Gardiner added a second for the visitors and Richie Mo’unga’s penalty gave the reigning champions a 15-point lead before Tate McDermott pulled a try back for the hosts before half-time. England scrumhalf Willi Heinz sealed the deal, scoring his first Super Rugby try since 2013.
The Fijian Drua produced fireworks in their first outing in Suva as they dispatched the Rebels 38-28 for their third win of the year.
The hosts scored five tries with typical Fijian flair to give them an unassailable 33-7 half-time lead. Three tries from the Rebels in the second half were in vain meaning the Drua have already surpassed the number of wins they had last season.
The Chiefs have started the season with six straight wins for the first time ever as they leaned on a stunning defensive display in the second half to hold on for a 20-13 win over the Blues.
It was the perfect start for Clayton McMillan’s side with Emoni Narawa latching on to Damian McKenzie’s grubber to score inside 30 seconds.
The Blues hit back through scores from Ricky Riccitelli and Caleb Clarke after Beauden Barrett produced an alltime blunder, bombing a certain try by stepping on the dead ball line. The mistake was punished as Narawa scored his second to give the Chiefs a 17-10 half-time lead.
After the break, the Blues dominated possession and territory for the majority of the half but the Chiefs held on and head into their bye round next week unbeaten.
The Highlanders produced a second-half surge to record their third bonus-point win in succession as they toppled Moana Pasifika 45-17.
The Pacific Islanders got off to the perfect start as No.8 Solomone Funaki scored inside five minutes but the Highlanders responded with tries from Pari Pari Parkinson, Sam Gilbert and Hugh Renton for a two-point lead at half-time. The switch flicked after the break and Moana Pasifika couldn’t handle the Kiwi’s sustained phase play as the Landers crossed for four more tries.