Brumbies heading to the final

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have finished their regular season with a 24-19 win over the Western Force and have booked in a home quarter-final with the Highlanders next week at GIO Stadium.

The Brumbies depth would be tested early in the second minute of the match as returning prop Blake Schoupp would be forced from the field due to injury, with the dominant forward unable to return for the rest of the match.

Despite the early setback the Brumbies skipper Allan Alalaatoa found the first try of the match after his side secured a lineout in the Force's territory and would grind out multiple phases, before the captains brute force proved too much to contain close to the line. Converted by flyhalf Noah Lolesio the visitors held onto a 7-0 lead after 6 minutes of play.

Then in the 11th minute of the match as the visitors had a scrum feed 60 metres out, Ryan Lonergan would fire out a bullet-pass to Tom Wright who was able to bamboozle defenders with a double-pump pass to create just enough space for the fullback to thread the needle with a grubber. With the kick bobbling away upfield Corey Toole once again showed off his incredible pace to beat the Force to the ball and secure the Brumbies second try. Converted again by Lolesio, the Brumbies continued to beat the scoreboard with 14 points in three less minutes.

With a lull in the points, the Brumbies would fight off plenty of near-scoring efforts from the Force and emerge having conceded no points until they were forced to play with 14 men after a yellow card to Ryan Lonergan. After the card, the Force were able to squeak their way through a tough Brumbies defence after multiple phases gave Carlo Tizzano a chance to deliver his side their first try. Converted by Bayley Kuenzle the Brumbies lead 14-7 with five minutes remaining in the half.

Reaffirming their lead beyond a converted try soon after, Lolesio was presented a chance for a penalty goal which he sent over the sticks immediately for a 17-7 scoreline in the 39th minute. With the Force getting a try disallowed three minutes after the halftime siren, the Brumbies would show their grit once again to defend their lead at the break.

With a stalemate after leaving the sheds, neither side would manage to cross the white stripe until the 61st minute of the match when Corey Toole would show off his deadly speed once again, after a lineout turnover from his forward pack in their own end. After flying to the 40 metre mark, the winger would the draw in the Force's final defender before passing on the ball to Tom Wright who cruised the rest of the way to the line. Converted by Jack Debreczeni, the Brumbies would then lead the Force 24-7 with 18 minutes remaining.

Ending their season on a positive note however would be the Force as the home side managed two quick tries after firing out a pass to Issak Fines-Leleiwasa who was able to find the final try of the match with a dazzling finish in the corner. George Pullman however would put down the final try of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season, thanks to a Nic White quick tap helping out the winger on his way to the line. With one of the efforts converted by Kuenzle the final tally would remain 24-19.

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 24 (Tries: Allan Alalaatoa, Corey Toole, Tom Wright; Conversions: Noah Lolesio 2, Jack Debreczeni; Penalty Goals: Noah Lolesio) def. Western Force 19 (Tries: Carlo Tizzano, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman; Conversions: Bayley Kuenzle 2)

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies will host the Highlanders at GIO Stadium next Saturday June 8, with ticketing information available tomorrow morning.