The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies under-19s missed out on a third Super Rugby title in a row as they were defeated 31-24 by NSW Waratahs in the Grand Final at Warringah Rugby Club.
Tries from fly-half Chace Oates, captain Eli Langi and centre Riley Whitfeld saw the Brumbies within arm’s reach of the Waratahs heading into the closing stages. However, agonisingly the Brumbies couldn’t find a way over the line after being camped there for the final minutes.
It was an incredibly valiant effort from the Brumbies, who gave it their all and can held their heads high after terrific wins against the Force and Reds away from home earlier in the tournament.
It was Oates who opened up the try-scoring in the fourth minute, stripping the ball clean off Waratahs flanker Arthur Greer before slicing down the middle of the field to score under the posts.
They then followed with another with soon after, skipper Langi crashing over the line to push the ACT’s lead out to 14-0, with Oates again successful off the tee.
Five minutes later the Waratahs quickly moved the ball through their hands to send winger Tom Watts in, streaking down the far side of the pitch for their first try. Hooker Tyler Maybery then found the tryline off a tidy lineout five metres out to draw the Tahs level.
Oates concluded the first-half with a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to nudge the Brumbies ahead 17-14 at the break.
In the opening stages of the second period, Zach Fittler of the Waratahs found a gap through the Brumbies defence to pull his side in front again.
Moments later however, the Brumbies returned fire through a try from outside centre Riley Whitfeld and Oates pushed his side ahead with the conversion.
In a topsy-turvy encounter, fullback Louis Fenwicke grabbed one back for the Tahs close to the hour mark, handing them a two-point lead. And Fenwicke then scored again 10 minutes from the full-time whistle to stretch his team’s lead out to seven points.
The Brumbies then applied the pressure to the Waratahs in the final minutes, desperate to find a converted score to take the match to extra-time. Wave after wave they attacked, but with the ball held up several times over the line, the full-time whistle blew to end the Brumbies’ title-winning run in the competition.
NSW WARATAHS 31 (Tries: Watts, Maybery, Fittler, Fenwicke 2. Cons: Conick 3/5) def. ACT BRUMBIES 24 (Tries: Oates, Langi, Whitfield. Cons: Oates 3/3. Pen: Oates 1/1).
