The ACT Brumbies have claimed the top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings after securing a hard-fought 24-14 victory against the Queensland Reds in Canberra. This win marked their fifth consecutive triumph over the Reds, solidifying the Brumbies’ position as Australia’s strongest title contender.
With this latest success, the Brumbies have amassed 43 points, leapfrogging both the Chiefs and Crusaders, who sit at 41 points. However, it’s worth noting that the Brumbies have completed one more match than their New Zealand counterparts. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham expressed confidence in the team’s performance, acknowledging that as they enter a bye week, it is an opportune moment for the players to recover ahead of the final rounds.
Larkham did express concerns over the fitness of captain Allan Alaalatoa, who was helped off the field during the match owing to an apparent lower leg injury. Tim Horan commented on the potential implications of this injury for both the Wallabies and the Brumbies. Alaalatoa had a standout performance prior to his injury, scoring his seventh try of the season.
The match saw the Brumbies emerge victorious with second-half tries from outside backs Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright, with Wright’s try being his first of the season. The Brumbies had a sluggish start but managed to regroup during halftime. As Wright noted, they needed to reflect on their performance to regain control.
On the other hand, the Reds managed to score through winger Tim Ryan and hooker Josh Nasser, but Reds captain Tate McDermott lamented their errors, acknowledging that mistakes against a team like the Brumbies could prove detrimental.
The Brumbies will face another significant challenge on May 30 when they host the Crusaders, a match crucial for finals positioning. The Reds, currently fourth, will play host to the Hurricanes before finishing their regular season against Fijian Drua, with both matches likely to be pivotal in determining their playoff fate.