The Brumbies went down in heartbreaking fashion to the Blues 21-19 in front of a fantastic Canberra crowd at GIO Stadium.
Ahead with 90 seconds to play, the Blues somehow turned the ball over, worked their way deep in Brumbies territory, and Beauden Barrett slotted from a drop-goal right in front of the posts to win the game.
Just as they did in round 13, the Brumbies jumped out to a hot start, Pete Samu diving over from close range in front of the sticks.
Lolesio converted, but the Blues would dominate the remainder of the half. Points would be limited however.
Beuden Barrett accounted for the Blues eight first-half points, converting a penalty into three points but failing to do the same for his own try.
The Brumbies brave defence finally cracked when Barrett crossed, having survived yellow cards to Folau Fainga’a and Darcy Swain.
Brave but fatigued, the Brumbies had more than fair share of the opening exchanges of the second half, and would retake the lead in the 55th minute through Fainga’a.
The Blues kept coming and the Brumbies continued to repel their advances, but eventually pressure told, and the Blues scored under the posts, a penalty not long after the conversion making it 18-12 with not much time on the clock.
Valiantly, the Brumbies pressed forward. A rare penalty gave Banks the chance to push into the corner, and just as Fainga’a did, Pollard made no mistake at the back of the drive.
With 90 seconds remaining, Lolesio kicked the conversion to send GIO Stadium into the stratosphere.
The joy would not last, however. The Blues managed to turn the ball over, and Barrett kicked a drop-goal from 5 metres in front, and the final whistle blew.
A disappointing loss, but a brave Brumbies performance. the final score 21-19.
Brumbies (7) 19 (T: Samu, Fainga’a, Pollard; C: Lolesio 2) def by Blues 21 (8) (T: Barrett, Tu’inukuafe; Perofeta; P: Perofeta)
