Overview
- The ACT Brumbies beat the NSW Waratahs 21-14 in Sydney on Friday to clinch a top-six spot in the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
- Canberra built a 21-0 lead through tries from Billy Pollard, Cadeyrn Neville and Allan Alaalatoa, with Alaalatoa scoring in his 150th Brumbies appearance, while Isaac Kailea and Max Jorgensen scored late tries for New South Wales.
- Two yellow cards shaped the game: Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble was sin-binned for an offside intervention and Brumbies replacement Lachlan Lonergan received a yellow for pulling down a maul, which helped fuel the Tahs’ late rally.
- The win leaves the Brumbies sitting fifth with a chance to move into the top four depending on next-round results, and confirms the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders, Brumbies and Queensland Reds as the six teams in the finals.
- Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham urged the team to keep intensity for the final round while Waratahs coach Dan McKellar accepted the season is likely over and said patience is needed as his side seeks progress; the Tahs now must beat Western Force and hope the Reds lose twice to have any chance of qualifying.