Super Rugby AU Wrap Up - Round 5

Round 5 of Super Rugby AU provided some nail-biting moments as the Brumbies and Rebels enjoyed victory by small margin against the Reds and Force respectively.

Brumbies vs Reds

The top-of-the-table clash saw the Brumbies narrowly home 22-20 after a hard tussle against their Reds rivals.

The Brumbies used their maul to good effect, setting up two tries in the first half for hooker Folau Fainga'a to which the Reds only responded with a James O’Connor penalty.

The men from Brisbane struck early in the second half, however, with Harry Wilson cantering in under the poles before Angus Scott-Young crashed over minutes later to take the score to 17-14.

James O’Connor knocked over another penalty before Connal McInerney got his name on the score sheet off yet another successful driving maul.

With the clock showing 82 minutes, the Brumbies were handed a golden opportunity when they were awarded a penalty. Mackenzie Hansen stepped up to the mark and slotted the ball between the uprights to give his team victory.

Scorers:

Brumbies

Tries: Folau Fainga'a (2), Connal McInerney

Conversions: Bayley Kuenzle (2)

Penalty: Mackenzie Hansen

Reds

Tries: Harry Wilson, Angus Scott-Young

Conversions: James O'Connor (2)

Penalties: O'Connor (2)

Rebels vs Force

The Force started strongly, building a 10-0 lead before some slick work in the tram line saw Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese dive over in the corner.

Fullback Reece Hodge managed to tie the scores up at 10-all just before half-time. After a beautifully worked move off of a midfield scrum, pacey winger Byron Ralston dotted down in the corner for the Force.

The Rebels struck back at the end of the third quarter through a Matt Philip try, thus taking the lead (20-17).

The game was set up for a thrilling finish when the Force drew level with a penalty, taking the game into Super Time.

The Rebels broke the Force’s hearts when, after continued battering on the latter’s line, Isi Naisarani bulldozed over to give his side victory.

Scorers:

Force

Tries: Fergus Lee-Warner, Byron Ralston
Conversions: Jono Lance (2)
Penalties: Lance (2)

Rebels

Tries: Jordan Uelese, Matt Philip, Isi Naisarani
Conversions: Matt Toomua (2)
Penalties: Matt Toomua (2)