Brumbies chairman Matt Nobbs dodged one of the all-time bar shouts thanks to breakout winger Corey Toole’s 77th minute game winner in Canberra.
Nobbs had stirred the pot in the build-up to the derby match by stating the once fierce rivalry between the Brumbies and Waratahs was dead, given the ACT club had won the last 10 encounters against their big-city brothers.
The bullish Nobbs also promised to buy all Waratahs fans at GIO Stadium a post-match beer if NSW won on Saturday night, hoping to encourage a strong travelling contingent from Sydney.
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Brumbies survive epic foot race
Thirsty types in sky blue would have been licking their lips as the Waratahs led for most of the match, even scoring a try to Jed Holloway with 13 men following yellow cards to props Harry Johnson-Holmes and Daniel Botha.
But the Brumbies, long Australia’s Super Rugby standard bearers, again got strong impact from their bench to claw their way back, and Wallabies hopeful Toole sealed the 40-34 triumph by catching Jack Debreczeni’s money ball to score.
Wallabies legend Tim Horan called the action “next level” in commentary for Nine and Stan Sport, as well as one of the games of the season.
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Nobbs’ comments added some much-needed spice to the affair and didn’t go unnoticed by gutted Waratahs captain Jake Gordon.
“According to their chairman it isn’t (a rivalry),” Gordon told Horan.
“We thought it was a great game tonight. We want the rivalry to keep going, we’ve just got to perform better.”
Waratahs score long-range stunner
There were all sorts of eye-catching moments, from Len Ikitau’s brilliant try-saving tackle, Max Jorgensen’s dazzling run for Lalakai Foketi’s score, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s classy chip and chase and the venerable James Slipper finding his way to the line for a double.
“Anytime you beat the Tahs you’re very happy, and (it was) a pretty epic game, really,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“We had two 14 point swings, one in the first half and one in the second, and we showed really good composure. We put a lot of pressure on their exits in that second half and they made a few mistakes, and then look, we found a way to win that one.”
Hooper sets his winger away
Larkham reserved special praise for Slipper, the incumbent Wallabies captain who has found his second wind in Canberra.
“He’s remarkable in terms of a rugby player and the skills that he has for a front-rower,” Larkham said.
“He probably gives up a little bit of size sometimes… but the impact that he makes around the park is just phenomenal.”
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