Sid Harvey comes up clutch as Waratahs bag upset over Brumbies

The NSW Waratahs have rebounded from a miserable run of form in thrilling fashion, picking up a much-needed 30-28 Super Rugby Pacific win against bitter rivals the Brumbies.

Having not beaten their opponents at GIO Stadium for eight consecutive games, the Waratahs snapped their losing streak on Friday.

But it wasn’t pretty, even after the Waratahs’ sparkling start resulted in a commanding 21-7 lead in the first half.

The Brumbies surged back to equalise in the second half, and the visitors looked on track to blow another apparent match-winning lead after being up 20-8 last Saturday against the Blues before going down 20-35.

But the Brumbies conceded three crucial penalties that led to goals for Sid Harvey in the final 15 minutes.

Sent in to replace Wallaby Harry Potter (quad) in just his second appearance of the season, winger Andrew Kellaway showed coach Dan McKellar he should retain the starting No.14 jersey, scoring a try and running for 39 metres.

Against his former side, Jack Debreczeni also dazzled with 32 passes and 44 metres to help the Tahs snap a three-game losing streak.

Unlike last Friday night, when the Canberrans overcame a 17-point deficit to beat last year’s grand finalists, the Chiefs 33-24, the Brumbies couldn’t get their offence to click late in the game.

Inspirational captain Ryan Lonergan was busy, posting 97 passes and 15 kicks in his side’s last fixture before their bye, while flanker Rob Valetini made a mammoth 71 metres and beat seven defenders.

After being floated for a potential Wallabies call-up, fly-half Declan Meredith grabbed 21 passes and ran for 19 metres.

The visitors started lively and were rewarded when Clem Halaholo up-picked the ball from the ruck and crashed over in the third minute.

Canberra looked to respond immediately, and after peppering the visitors’ line, scored their first when second-rower Lachie Shaw planted the ball in the 11th minute.

Despite being a player down after Pete Samu was handed a yellow card, the Waratahs found a five-pointer when Kellaway strolled over the line.

NSW turned defence into attack when winger Max Jorgensen stripped the ball and stormed downfield. The Waratahs moved right and found Joey Walton in the 28th minute.

The Brumbies closed the gap to 21-14 at halftime after Charlie Cale added another try to his competition-leading tally (nine) after the siren.

Canberra equalised after Valetini burst through a gap before Lonergan speared a pass to Shaw, who scored his second.

Harvey slotted three penalty goals to create a 30-21 lead for the visitors with just over five minutes remaining, and interchange Luke Reimer set up a thrilling finish when he crossed in the 78th minute.

But after Kadin Pritchard lost the ball, the Waratahs hung on to secure victory.