Replacement Ryan Lonergan has stepped up to be the hero for the ACT Brumbies, slotting a last-minute penalty for a 21-20 win over the Blues.
Lonergan's 80th-minute penalty gave the Brumbies their first victory at Auckland's Eden Park since 2013 as they rallied from 10 points down at halftime in Round 4 of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday night.
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It was their scrum that proved the hero, turning the Blues inside out to force James Doleman no option but to award the penalty from right in front. Lonergan made no mistake, allowing the visitors to close it out for an emotional win.
Despite winning 23 of their past 24 games against Australian opposition, the Blues could not deny the Brumbies a spirited comeback.
The hosts led 20-10 at the break after two runaway tries in the space of two minutes just before halftime to prop Angus Ta'avao and centre Rieko Ioane.
The lead would have been larger had All Black Beauden Barrett not missed two conversion attempts and a routine shot at a penalty goal.
But the Brumbies fought back doggedly in the second half, with a penalty goal from Declan Meredith reducing the deficit to seven points before the halfback crossed out wide for his side's second try of the night. Meredith missed the conversion attempt to leave the Brumbies trailing by two.
The Brumbies dominated at scrum, lineout and breakdown time, and their loose forwards kept the pressure on with several turnovers before one final penalty with two minutes remaining.
After dominating the scrum, lineout and breakdown, the Brumbies secured a decisive penalty with less than two minutes left, allowing Lonergan to boot the Canberrans to a famous victory.
The match had been all locked up at 10-10 through 35 minutes, after Brumbies captain Allan Alalatoa's pick-and-drive effort cancelled out Barrett's early strike for the Blues.
But Ioane's first try since May 2023 in 50th Super Rugby match, looked to have given the Blues all the momentum entering the second half.
It leaves the Blues struggling at 1-3 and set for a nervous wait on the fitness of Barrett, who did not return after the break after a hand injury.
ACT Brumbies 21 (Allan Alaalatoa, Declan Meredith tries; Declan Meredith con, 2 pen, Ryan Lonergan pen) Blues 20 (Beauden Barrett, Angus Ta'avao, Rieko Ioane tries; Beauden Barrett con, pen). HT: 10-20