Brumbies vs Chiefs takes: Comeback chaos, Meredith is Wallabies-ready

The ACT Brumbies are back in the Super Rugby Pacific winners circle after completing a stunning comeback against the Chiefs in Canberra, winning 33-24 in James Slipper’s record-breaking appearance in the competition.

Damian McKenzie helped extend the Chiefs’ advantage to 24-7 by converting his own try during the second half, before the Brumbies took over. Scrum-half Ryan Lonergan got the point-scoring blitz underway, with the Brumbies going on a 26-0 run to round out the contest.

Corey Toole raced away for the match-sealing try in dramatic fashion, considering the Brumbies had been defending their own try line before the winger broke upfield. Lonergan added the extras, with the Chiefs unable to secure a losing bonus point.

Comeback chaos

That was a match the Chiefs really should’ve won. Canberra is a really tough place to win, but the visitors were leading 24-7 with a little over 20 minutes to play, dominated possession in the dying stages, and a wayward penalty attempt was a defining moment.

Damian McKenzie converted his own try in the 56^th minute as the Chiefs extended their advantage to a menacing 17-points. But it didn’t take long for the Brumbies to claw their way back, with Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith crossing for five-points.

The Chiefs had 83 per cent possession during the final 10 minutes, and it almost led to points via the goal-kicking boot of McKenzie. They continued to put themselves in point-scoring positions but the Brumbies scrambled well.

With the Brumbies defending their own try line, winger Corey Toole produced something from nothing. Toole showcased his blistering speed to win the foot race to the try line, putting the hosts up by seven with the conversion still to come.

Fullback Liam Coombes-Fabling sent the ball into touch with an attempted cross-field kick in the final play of the match, with the Chiefs unable to secure a losing bonus point. It’s one that got away for the Chiefs, who turn their focus to the Western Force in Perth.

Declan Meredith is Wallabies-ready

Queensland Reds pivot Carter Gordon is the form 10 in Australian rugby right now, but Declan Meredith’s form with the Brumbies hasn’t gone unnoticed. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt called the Brumbies fly-half “a mature player” who offers versatility across the backline.

Meredith captained the Brumbies against Hong Kong China late last year, but the playmaker was set for a battle to make the starting spot his own. Wallaby Tane Edmed decided to sign with the Brumbies after a multi-year stint with the NSW Waratahs

But Meredith has been brilliant.

If we’re talking about Wallabies bolters, Meredith is at the top of that list.

“He’s played fullback and wing so he’s got enough high speed,” Schmidt said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.

“He’s not afraid of the contact area, he’s brave defensively and he’s pretty competent going up for the ball in a contest.”

Meredith started the season with a double away to the Western Force in Perth, before scoring another against the Blues a couple of weeks later. But it’s how the 26-year-old has done his core job well that really stands out – leading the team around the park, completely composed.

Damian McKenzie scored a try for the Chiefs but Meredith hit back for the Brumbies later in the second term. The Brumbies No. 10 sent Billy Pollard through a gap early on, won a pilfer penalty in the 13^th minute, and made a potential try-saving tackle on Josh Lord soon after.

With Meredith scoring a try deep in the piece, which helped the Brumbies regain the lead with the successful shot at goal from Ryan Lonergan, there’s a lot to like about the performance. Gordon is the form 10 in Australia, but Meredith and Ben Donaldson aren’t too far behind.

Title contenders

As unlikely as it may have seemed midway through the second term, the Brumbies have secured a remarkable result to snap their two-match losing run. The Brumbies were coming off defeats to the Queensland Reds in Canberra and the Fijian Drua in Ba.

While Jame Slipper’s record-breaking Super Rugby appearance was a talking point post-game, this is an in incredibly important win of the entire Brumbies roster. It’s a result that reaffirms their status as a genuine title contender, and so too are the Chiefs

We’re only six rounds into the season but already this match had a genuine semi-final feel to it, as both teams looked to make a bit of a statement. For all the anticipation and talk surrounding this fixture, it still managed to live up to the hype.

Some fans would’ve had the Brumbies in top spot on their power rankings after three rounds and they’ve shown yet again that they are the real deal. After two tough losses, the side coached by Stephen Larkham are back on track.

They’re a different beast at home, and will face the Waratahs in the capital next week.

Wallabies would be better with James Slipper

James Slipper has played more Super Rugby matches than anyone else, going one clear of former Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett on the all-time charts. Slipper was celebrated with a rare guard of honour pre-game – a special way to celebrate a remarkable achievement.

Both the Brumbies and Chiefs stopped to recognise Slipper before getting the match underway moments later. When Slipper was replaced about 12 minutes into the second half, fans made sure to give the record-breaker a hero’s reception.

Slipper received a standing ovation by many in the crowd at GIO Stadium, now holding a special place in Super Rugby history. It’s the latest in a long list of achievements for the 36-year-old, who will soon become a Brumbies centurion (currently on 99 appearances for the club).

‘Slips’ is also the most-capped Wallaby of all time, making his 151^st appearance in the jersey last October against the All Blacks. But as Slipper and Rugby Australia announced that week, the history-maker had decided to retire from Test duty after Bledisloe II in Perth.

Joe Schmidt was asked about Slipper’s international retirement on Stan Sport earlier this week, with the Wallabies coach keeping the door open for the prop’s return. “I’m not saying never,” Schmidt said on Rugby Heaven, “[but] there’s a few good looseheads knocking around.”

But Slipper is in tremendous form. The front-rower made a key cleanout in the lead-up to Hudson Creighton’s try against the Chiefs, before making an important covering tackle on Cortez Ratima about 10 minutes later.

Slipper was the equal-leader for tackles completed midway through the first half, and started the second term with a strong carry. If Slipper did decide to backflip on that retirement decision for the home Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies would be better for it.