Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
The Reds roar in delight in celebrating James O Connor’s title-clinching try against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
James O Connor s rugby resurgence has flourished again, the Queensland Reds playmaker scoring five minutes into injury-time against a 13-man Brumbies outfit to seal a remarkable 19-16 Super Rugby AU final win at Suncorp Stadium. The Brumbies had Darcy Swain and Luke Reimer sin-binned as they chaotically clung to a 16-12 lead at the death on Saturday night. They d already had Rob Valetini in the bin for 10 minutes earlier in the second half while the final 10 minutes left Brumbies coach Dan McKellar later biting his tongue about the officiating.
Thorn was all smiles afterwards, speaking to Sonny Bill Williams on Stan’s coverage.
“Crazy, crazy game,” Thorn said. “You think playing is hard. Oh my goodness. You’re just sitting in there and your guts are turning inside out. Absolute heart got them over the line.”
Down 13-6 at half-time, the Reds found a spark. They forced a Tom Wright knock-on through line speed pressure before Jordan Petaia’s chest flicked the sideline, otherwise he would’ve had a contender for try of the year.
The Brumbies were reduced to 14 men from the 60th to 70th minute when Rob Valetini went to the bin for a high shot.
The Brumbies start fast and the Reds finish strong. Who wins the rest?
We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
By Morgan Turinui
Normal text size
Advertisement
The second Super Rugby AU final is a replay of the first, and after 21 matches of the 2021 version it is the two expected teams, the Reds and the Brumbies, who will battle it out at Suncorp Stadium.
But who will win? Let’s consult the form guide and by gauging the case for each, see if we can’t pick the 2021 champion.
Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead reaches for the ball but Reds fullback Bryce Hegarty has it covered.
DAYS after that gripping night and the conversation is yet to change subject.
At least 1200 kilometres south of Suncorp Stadium amid rusted-on supporters that stared blankly into their TV while Queenslanders put forefingers silently on lips to request quiet.
But a search of social media minutes after the controversial final scoreline had calmer and sometimes impartial voices talking up conspiracy that was uttered out from the corner of the mouth of ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar in the pre-game discussion.
The ACT Brumbies led Queensland for all but 10 minutes early on after the hosts scored an initial penalty goal in the third minute of the Super Rugby AU final.