Brumbies stun Chiefs with comeback win on Slipper’s record-breaking night

The ACT Brumbies have celebrated James Slipper’s milestone match in thrilling fashion, roaring back to defeat the Chiefs 33-24.

Slipper became the most-capped Super Rugby player of all time on Friday night at GIO Stadium, reaching 203 caps to move clear of former All Black Wyatt Crockett (202).

It’s a significant milestone for the prop, having debuted for the Queensland Reds in 2010 and featuring 151 times for the Wallabies, before announcing his retirement from international level last year.

Wearing a new jersey with a golden No.1 on his back, Slipper registered five tackles and 12 metres in 52 minutes on Friday.

But it was the typically inspirational All Black Damian McKenzie (one try, 24 passes, 70 metres) who threatened to overshadow the 36-year-old’s night as he led his team to a 17-point advantage with 24 minutes remaining.

The Brumbies then flicked a switch, scoring three tries in just over 10 minutes, before speedster Corey Toole ran the length of the field with two minutes to go to secure victory.

It came after McKenzie missed a penalty goal, which would have put the visitors back in front with less than five minutes remaining.

Victory is a modicum of revenge after the Brumbies were dumped out of last year’s semi-finals by the Chiefs 37-17.

It will also be a welcome relief for coach Stephen Larkham, having lost their past two clashes and sacrificing top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

After Slipper received a guard of honour from both teams before the match, the Brumbies started hot with Hudson Creighton crashing over the line in the fourth minute.

The Chiefs responded in the 18th minute when they quickly spread right from a scrum and winger Liam Coombes-Fabling crossed.

The visitors continued to sniff at the try line, and Coombs-Fabling found his second when he received the ball metres from the line and planted it down.

The Brumbies began to wrestle back control but couldn’t capitalise as the Chiefs took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Their lead grew to 17 points after McKenzie found himself on the receiving end of some slick passing down the left flank in the 56th minute.

The Brumbies responded immediately when captain Ryan Lonergan scooped up a loose ball and flopped over the line, before Charlie Cale added another five-pointer to his season’s tally when he picked up the ball from the ruck and scored.

The Chiefs desperately searched for a winner but they knocked on the ball, and Toole swooped and ran the length of the field to claim victory in the 78th minute.