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Late try sinks Brumbies as Crusaders snatch top-two spot
By AAP
The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final round clash.
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While the Chiefs locked down the No.1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31.
The visitors hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over.
His try came after referee James Doleman missed a clear knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play.
With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole might put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline.
The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now to host the team that finishes fourth – the Hurricanes or Queensland – in the qualifying finals next weekend.
By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win their week one final.
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The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line-speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches.
But Canberra started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across.
The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 with their opponents after Noah Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute.
After some quick hands Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line.
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A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders – the most successful team in the competition’s history with 14 titles – wouldn’t be denied.
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Another fantastic game of super competitive rugby. It always looked like it could go either way. Disappointed at the extreme outrage & bias from the ex-Wallaby commentary team over the apparent missed knock-on by Sevu Reece. There were two other knock-on’s by Brumbies players prior to the SR one that the referee missed & the commentators remained silent on. At least Larkham, had the good grace to acknowledge this, despite his disappointment over the loss! They say rugby is the game they play in Heaven & the only place MT will find the refereeing perfection he demands!
Well done to the Crusaders. I thought AB captain Scott Barrett had a mighty game. Ethan Blackadder great return , 50 games and a try. George Bell great try, we have 3 very much inform hookers.Canberra a hard place to win in. Rivez Reihana outstanding again.
Hotham’s errors resulted in three of the Brumbies tries:
* Bungled kickoff reception led to Fotuaika’s opening try;
* Laboured box-kick clearance led to charge down and Ikitau’s try;
* Attempted box-kick - opted at the last second to duck under charging opponent; then isolated himself. Brumbies turn over ball: few phases later, Muirhead scores.
Talented kid but not likely to be the no.3 AB’s halfback behind Roigard and Ratima.
Kyle Preston - off the bench - provided more stability with his clever kicking game and patience behind the ruck.
Muirhead didn’t drag 3 players across the tryline. He was tackled, held, & relaunched. You see him clearly push forward off his feet. Second movement. No try. Penalty Crusaders.
New Zealand ref misses clear knock-on to allow a New Zealand team to win. I’m guessing nobody is in the slightest bit surprised by this.
Nevermind all of the other mistakes that the Brumbies made. They still should’ve stopped Bell from scoring at the end - that was way too easy for the Crusaders and the Brumbies missed an easy tackle that should’ve been made.
There, there, I know you are upset the Crusaders won. Take a look at the table and remember what your probable prediction for this team was.
Nonsense. Poor lineout defense on George Bell allowed the match winning try. And Corey Tool’s loose carry with the line at his mercy stuffed up the Bumblies chance to win. Though why the Bumblies didn’t set up for a droppie or dig for a penalty beats me.
Also, the refs missed a clear double movement when Muirhead scored. I think this may have been what Larkham was alluding to when he said post match that a couple of things in each half went their way too.