Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Video: Rebels beaten at the death by a miracle 55-metre Brumbies penalty kick

By AAP
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Brumbies reserve half-back Ryan Lonergan launched a miracle 55-metre penalty kick in the 83rd minute to secure a stunning 27-24 Super Rugby AU win over Melbourne Rebels in Canberra. The teams appeared headed for golden-try time, locked at 24-all after 80 minutes, but the brave Brumbies ran the ball out of their own half and then secured a penalty at the breakdown.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lonergan opted to take the unlikely kick in the swirling breeze at GIO Stadium but it went the distance before he was swamped by his cheering teammates. It was the second week of heartbreak for the Rebels, who missed their own opportunity to snatch a win over the Queensland Reds with a wayward penalty after the 80th minute last week.

Lonergan proved a key replacement, setting up a late Brumbies’ try with a flick pass on to fullback Tom Banks. It was a gritty performance by the home side who also had to overcome the send-off of skipper Allan Alaalatoa and losing hooker Connal McInerney early with an ankle injury.

Video Spacer

Ex-Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on facing All Blacks Dan Carter and Richie McCaw

Video Spacer

Ex-Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on facing All Blacks Dan Carter and Richie McCaw

Alaalatoa was given a red card in the final minute of the first half for an alleged shoulder charge on Pone Fa’amausili, which ended the Rebels prop’s night.

A concussed Fa’amausili had to be assisted from the field and will likely miss their trip to Perth to play the Western Force next week. Rebels skipper Matt Toomua put his team back in front through that penalty, taking a 12-10 lead to the sheds.

Toomua had a flawless night, booting a perfect eight penalties from eight attempts, while Rebels halfback Joe Powell had a big game against his former side. Marika Koroibete was also a stand-out in the second half but couldn’t nail the try the Rebels desperately needed, while their forwards including lock Trevor Hosea and prop Cabous Eloff worked hard to unsettle the Brumbies.

But it counted for little with the home side keeping their unbeaten record intact, having now won 18 from their last 19 home matches.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
Jon 3 hours ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

4 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Former All Black’s bold Crusaders call before Brumbies clash Former All Black’s bold Crusaders call before Brumbies clash
Search