Crusaders Suffer Heartbreaking Defeat Against Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific Clash
In a thrilling encounter, the defending champions Crusaders suffered their tenth loss of the Super Rugby Pacific season, falling to the high-flying Brumbies in a dramatic finish in Canberra.
The Match at a Glance
The match came down to the wire, with the Brumbies leading 31-24 in the final moments. Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio stepped up to attempt a difficult penalty kick that could have sealed the win, but his effort struck the upright, leaving the Crusaders with a glimmer of hope.
However, in a bizarre turn of events, Crusaders lock Quinten Strange slapped the ball over the dead-ball line as Brumbies replacement scrum-half Harrison Goddard applied pressure. After a review by the TMO, referee Ben O’Keeffe issued a yellow card to Strange and awarded the Brumbies a match-winning penalty try, securing a 31-24 victory for the home side.
“One of the most bizarre ways I’ve ever seen a game finish. Ball slapped dead, penalty try, game over. Just about sums up Crusaders’ season!” read one reaction on social media, summing up the remarkable conclusion to the contest.
Reactions and Implications
While some questioned whether a penalty try was the right call, given the presence of other Crusaders players, others felt the officials made the correct decision, attributing Strange’s actions to the “desperation” of a team struggling to defend their title.
The loss ends the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific title defense, as they fail to reach the play-offs, while the Brumbies secure a home play-off match, beating the seven-time champions for the first time in 15 years.
The Scorers
The Brumbies’ tries came from Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright, and Rob Valetini, with Lolesio adding two conversions. The Crusaders’ scorers were Jonny McNicholl, Sevu Reece, and Noah Hotham, with Fergus Burke converting all three and Chay Fihaki adding a penalty.
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