The ACT Brumbies have maintained their flawless start to the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Season, stealing a breathtaking 30-27 victory over the Blues with an 82nd-minute match-winner in Canberra.
In an absorbing contest that swung sharply between tactical warfare and absolute mayhem, it was replacement back-rower Charlie Cale who emerged as the hero, diving over in the dying stages to secure the home side's third straight win.
The victory looked unlikely midway through the second half as the visitors, led by centurion skipper Dalton Papali’i, capitalised on Brumbies errors to build a nine-point lead. However, a yellow card to Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta late in the game opened the door for a classic Brumbies comeback.
The match began at a frenetic pace. After an early exchange of possession, it was the Brumbies who struck first in the 7th minute. Flyhalf Declan Meredith was the recipient of an unlikely James Slipper grubber, as the number ten sliced through the defensive line on the blindside, before Ryan Lonergan added the extras.
The Blues’ response was swift and lethal. In the 11th minute, Caleb Clarke read a Brumbies backline play perfectly, intercepting the pass and streaking under the posts to level the scores at 7-7.
The first half then descended into a physical arm-wrestle. While Lonergan nudged the Brumbies ahead with a penalty, it was the home pack that began to flex their muscles. In the 21st minute, a successful lineout drive saw Billy Pollard peel off the back of the maul, storming over to push the lead to 15-7.
The Blues, however, refused to go away. A Perofeta penalty narrowed the gap before AJ Lam produced a moment of magic in the 29th minute, using quick feet to dismantle the Brumbies defence. That try meant the sides went into the break locked at 15 apiece.
The second half began with high drama. After Lonergan recaptured the lead with a penalty, the Brumbies thought they had blown the game open when Blake Schoupp crashed over amidst chaos in the 47th minute. It wasn't to be for the home side, the TMO spotting a knock-on by Rhys Van Nek in the build-up.
The swing in momentum was instant and brutal. From the resulting turnover, the Blues launched a counter-attack that saw Caleb Clarke cross for his second of the night.
Minutes later, the emotional stakes were raised when replacement winger Codemeru Vai broke the line for his team to set up captain, Dalton Papali’i to score in the corner on his 100th appearance.
Trailing 27-18 with 15 minutes to play, the Brumbies looked out on their feet. But it would be discipline that cost the visitors dearly. Following a collapsed scrum, the Brumbies mauled their way forward, forcing a deliberate knock-on that saw Perofeta sent to the bin in the 69th minute.
With the man advantage, the Brumbies pack went to work. Luke Reimer crashed over in the 71st minute to bring the crowd to its feet. Though the conversion went astray, the deficit was cut to four points.
The tension in the final five minutes was palpable. Despite intense pressure and several uncharacteristic errors, the Brumbies kept coming. Marching downfield with ruck after punishing ruck, they camped on the Blues' line as the clock ticked into the red.
With inches to spare, Charlie Cale spotted a gap and managed to find the white line, sending the home crowd into raptures. Amidst the euphoria, Edmed knocked over the extras to leave the final score at 30-27, sealing an improbable and gritty victory for the men from the capital.
ACT Brumbies 30 (Tries: Meredith, Pollard, Reimer, Cale; Cons: Lonergan, Edmed; Pens: Lonergan 2) def Blues 27 (Tries: Clarke 2, Lam, Papali’i; Cons: Perofeta 2; Pen: Perofeta)
