Rugby: Brumbies miss winning chance

Michael Hooper of the Brumbies is tackled by Michael Harris of the Reds. Photo / Getty Images

Brumbies 12
Reds 13

There were two main items up for decision here - the winning of the Australian conference (and play-offs rugby with home advantage) and whether Quade Cooper's comeback form was good enough to have him invited to Wallaby training.

On the first matter, if the Brumbies had won, the conference issue would have been settled - they would have been 11 points clear had kicker Zac Holmes landed a last-minute kick to win the game.

However, they didn't look like winning this one in the first minutes when Reds fullback Luke Morahan fielded a high ball, scooted through some big holes in the chasing Brumbies brigade and kicked ahead for a thrilling 70m individual try.

The Reds, defending champions, have looked on the rise in recent weeks, especially with their victory over the Chiefs two weeks ago and the suggestion has been they, like the Crusaders, might be coming to life at the right time.

But Morahan's try was a false alarm, a daisy flowering on a compost heap, a flash of light in a match otherwise dimly lit with excitement. Both sides were cautious and unwilling to commit the blunder that handed the conference to the other side - and the quality of the match suffered. It was about as exciting as mowing the lawns with a pair of blunt scissors.

On the second matter - Cooper - Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has already hinted that Rebels first five Kurtley Beale had the job as Australia's No10. However, the Rebels had a bit of a horror against the Hurricanes last night, falling to their record loss in terms of points scored against them; Beale was reduced to a bit part.

In theory there was room for the old Quade Cooper to force his way back in - but the old Quade Cooper isn't in residence yet. The room he had to perform some of his hops, skips and jumps in 40 minutes against the Lions last week disappeared in the greater intensity of a local derby. He made a couple of mistakes and looked ring-rusty this week. On that evidence, the job is Beale's and a quiet Cooper is a long way from ready.

Of more concern to Deans will be the way Reds captain and Wallaby lock James Horwill hyper-extended a knee in what looked like it might be a serious injury.

The Brumbies scrapped their way back into things, with captain and No8 Ben Mowen leading the way. The Reds dominated possession early and the Brumbies had to live off crumbs - though both sides found the defence difficult to breach and the Brumbies hardly threatened to score a try. With referee Steve Walsh in over-talkative, stern headmaster mode, the first half was a stalemate.

As the Brumbies clawed their way back into things through their driving and pick-and-go play, first five Holmes kicked the goals and the game was finely balanced at 13-12 with 15 minutes to play. With the last seconds ebbing away, Holmes had a 40m last-gasp penalty to win - but cracked under the pressure.

It says a lot that the score didn't change. No one looked like scoring a try; the decisive blow never came. It was downright ugly, but the Reds won't care. They have a chance to snatch the conference and defend their title.

Brumbies 12 (Z. Holmes 4 pens), Reds 13 (L. Morahan try; M. Harris con, 2 pens). Halftime: Reds 10-6.