The NSW Waratahs scored a thrilling 42–34 victory over the ACT Brumbies on Saturday to book their place in the Super Rugby AUS Grand Final.
Needing a victory at Viking Park to guarantee their spot in the inaugural competition decider, the Waratahs scored the final two tries of the game to snatch the result off the Brumbies.
The match finished with the teams scoring six tries apiece but the boot of Waratahs winger Sid Harvey, who slotted all six conversions, proved the difference.
Lachlan McCaffrey’s side will now meet the Western Force at Wanneroo Rugby Union Club in Perth next Sunday.
It was a tense and hard-fought contest in Canberra, with the Brumbies holding the upper hand in the opening stages, before the Waratahs stormed back with a second-half surge to claim the win.
Flanker Jamie Adamson was a standout for the visitors, scoring two tries and playing a leading hand in the Waratahs’ comeback.
It was the Englishman who opened the scoring in the 6th minute as he danced his way past some would-be defenders.
The Brumbies responded as the Waratahs failed to defuse an attacking kick and fullback Kye Oates swooped to score.
The Waratahs lineout went to work in the in 23rd minute and a perfectly executed rolling maul powered hooker Ethan Dobbins over the line.
The sides traded tries as half-time approached, with Brumbies inside centre Jarrah McLeod bagging a double, and Waratahs flanker Clem Halaholo scoring from close range, making the score 21-17 to the visitors at the break.
The second half commenced as an arm wrestle before a quickfire scoring burst began with Brumbies flyhalf Declan Meredith crashing over to put the visitors back in front.
The Waratahs reclaimed the lead when lock Ben Grant pounced on a costly Brumbies lineout error but Brumbies winger Shane Wilcox then scored to keep the match on a knife’s edge.
It looked like it may end in heartbreak for the Waratahs when Brumbies scrum-half Klayton Thorn took an intercept and raced away to extend his side’s advantage to six points with just under 15 minutes remaining.
However moments later an incisive linebreak from Teddy Wilson ended with Adamson plunging over for his second, and Harvey adding the extras to nudge the Waratahs back in front.
The result and the Waratahs’ place in the Grand Final was sealed Wilson when dived over in the shadows of full-time.
Match Details
NSW Waratahs (42) defeat ACT Brumbies (34)
Location: Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Club
NSW Waratahs (42)
Tries: Jamie Adamson (2), Ethan Dobbins (1), Ben Grant (1), Clem Halaholo (1), Teddy Wilson (1)
Conversions: Sid Harvey (6/6)
ACT Brumbies (34)
Tries: Jarrah McLeod (2), Klayton Thorn (1), Declan Meredith (1), Shane Wilcox (1), Kye Oates (1)
Conversions: Declan Meredith (2/6)
