The Brumbies weathered a typhoon in opposition to the Queensland Reds, then they had been rewarded.
With two rounds left of the Super Rugby Pacific pageant, Stephen Larkham’s males sit down atop the contest standings after a hard-fought 24-14 win over Les Kiss’ Reds.
The 10-point win noticed the Brumbies transfer to 43 issues, two issues transparent of the Chiefs and Crusaders. But they might drop back off to 3rd forward of the general spherical of the common season, with the Brumbies to have their last bye subsequent week prior to internet hosting the second-placed Crusaders.
Regardless, with a fortnight left within the common season, the Brumbies have put themselves ready they haven’t been in additional than a decade as they aim a protracted keep within the country’s capital all through the finals sequence after 3 consecutive semi-final defeats around the ditch.
Andy Muirhead in motion all through the Brumbies’ demanding fought win over the Reds at GIO Stadium on May 17, 2025. (Photo by means of Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
But Larkham’s males face a apprehensive wait on their captain Allan Alaalatoa, with the Test stalwart compelled off early in the second one part with a calf damage.
Alaalatoa, who scored the Brumbies’ first check out, didn’t discuss in his conventional post-match interview, with Andy Muirhead filling his sneakers after the prop’s early departure.
“He was in the changeroom, still limping,” Larkham mentioned. “Our understanding is he carried it into half-time and he was pretty keen to go on, and hopefully it’s only a cramp and nothing more serious.”
The Brumbies’ win used to be constructed at the again of a robust line of defense, some rugged touch within the collision house and a few brilliance at the flooring.
Tom Hooper used to be all over the place, Rob Valetini had his perfect event of the season and Rory Scott by no means took a backward step.
The trio had been the most important within the Brumbies’ efforts to comprise the Reds, with Alaalatoa’s effort from shut vary permitting the house aspect to enter the sheds locked at 7-7.
The house aspect alternatively controlled to head up a equipment in the second one part, capitalising at the Reds’ turnovers and making the guests pay at the fringes as Muirhead and Tom Wright scored within the area of 5 mins to open up a 21-7 lead.
Ryan Lonergan, who used to be as soon as once more very good, used to be additionally faultless from the kicking tee, touchdown 3 conversions and a the most important penalty within the 75th minute that took the Brumbies’ lead out past a transformed check out after Josh Nasser had up to now hit again for the guests.
His halves spouse Declan Meredith additionally stepped as much as the plate within the absence of Noah Lolesio, as he frequently probed the road and located area in in the back of the Reds’ defence.
Despite a helter-skelter end, the Brumbies hung directly to seal an important win after being compelled to head up a degree of their physicality.
“We were pretty frustrated at half-time, we sort of let them into the game through our ill-discipline and errors. The boys came in pretty steaming,” Muirhead mentioned.
“I’m glad we could rectify a little bit of it in the second half and get some phases together, but as a team we’re a little bit disappointed with how we performed. We’re usually a lot more clinical, especially at home, but good to get the win.”
Larkham wasn’t bouncing off the partitions both, merely pronouncing he used to be “happy to get the win” however lamenting the different alternatives burned.

Re-signed Wallabies and Brumbies fullback =Tom Wright had a robust moment part in opposition to the Reds. (Photo by means of Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
His frustration used to be nowhere the disgruntlement of Reds skipper Tate McDermott, who accurately highlighted the place the sport used to be received and misplaced.
“You’ve got to give credit to the Brumbies, they’re a class team,” he mentioned. “They hurt us through our errors and we lost the battle of the breakdown and that decided the game.”
The Reds had been under no circumstances miles off the tempo, however their damage toll most likely stuck up with them after shedding Tom Lynagh, Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto during the week.
Fraser McReight, who used to be his aspect’s perfect, stored the Reds within the contest all evening, whilst McDermott used to be an ever-present risk. Winger Lachie Anderson used to be additionally remarkable, particularly within the air as he made lifestyles difficult for Corey Toole.
But the Reds merely couldn’t land sufficient pictures.
“We started well and showed a lot of intent. I would have liked for us to pull the trigger a few times when we had an overlap,” lamented Kiss.
“We probably had three opportunities where we lost the ball where we could have put more on it in the first half. They capitalised on errors better than we did tonight.”
The Reds, who’re two issues transparent of the Hurricanes on 32 issues, host their trans-Tasman competitors subsequent week.