Brumbies power past Highlanders to reach Super Rugby Pacific semifinals

Brumbies 34-27 Highlanders, GIO Stadium

The ACT Brumbies delivered a controlled and clinical performance to defeat the Highlanders 32-16 in their Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

With their set-piece dominance and relentless defensive pressure, the Brumbies marched into the semifinals and extended their perfect home record in 2024 — 10 games, 10 wins.

The Highlanders, who entered the match as underdogs, managed to stay competitive in the first half, but were ultimately overpowered as the Brumbies raised their intensity and ruthlessly capitalized on their chances in the second forty minutes.

The Highlanders started with purpose, taking an early 3-0 lead in the 2nd minute after Cameron Millar slotted a penalty goal following a scrum infringement. Their forward pack was energetic early on, and the visitors applied pressure with territorial kicks and smart breakdown play.

The Brumbies responded with sustained phases, and in the 15th minute, they found their rhythm. After working the ball across the field, winger Andy Muirhead finished off a flowing backline move, dotting down in the right corner. Noah Lolesio converted to give the hosts a 7-3 lead.

Millar then added two more penalties in the 21st and 29th minutes, reclaiming the lead for the Highlanders at 9-7. But just as the visitors looked to build momentum, the Brumbies shifted gears.

A scrum penalty gave Lolesio an opportunity to edge the Brumbies ahead again, and he made no mistake from close range in the 34th minute to make it 10-9.

Then, just before halftime, the Brumbies flexed their rolling maul power. From a lineout inside the 22, hooker Billy Pollard crashed over in the 39th minute following a powerful drive. With Lolesio’s conversion, the Brumbies entered the break leading 17-9.

The home side wasted no time asserting dominance in the second half. In the 44th minute, Pollard bagged his second try in similar fashion, once again at the back of a textbook maul. The Brumbies had clearly identified the Highlanders' vulnerability in defending their set-piece and continued to exploit it effectively.

Moments later, in the 46th minute, winger Corey Toole showed a touch of magic. Receiving the ball with little space on the left wing, he stepped inside two defenders and sprinted through a narrow gap to score a scintillating solo try.

With the conversion, the Brumbies extended their lead to 29-9, and the match began to drift out of the Highlanders’ reach.

To their credit, the Highlanders struck back in the 53rd minute, scoring their only try of the match after Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens finished off a well-worked attacking sequence.

Millar added the conversion to bring it to 29-16, but it would be the visitors’ final contribution to the scoreboard.

The Brumbies closed the match out with composure, controlling possession and territory in the final 20 minutes. Lolesio slotted a penalty in the 66th minute to take the score to 32-16, all but sealing the result.

Despite some late Highlanders pressure, the Brumbies’ defense stood firm, showing the same grit and physicality that has defined their season.