Match Centre: Brumbies 21-9 Force

Brumbies 21-9 Force, GIO Stadium
Scorecard

Tom Wright and Tom Banks scored tries for Brumbies as they progressed to the final of the Super Rugby AU after beating Western Force 21-9 in the play-off at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

The defending champions will now face Queensland Reds in the final to be played on 8th May at Suncorp Stadium.

Both teams were desperate for opening points which did not come until the 35th minute when Force's only point scorer Domingo Miotti scored a penalty kick after the home side were penalised.

However, Brumbies dominated the phase heading into the break with a collective pass leading Tom Wright find the gap on the left corner to dot down and Noah Lolesio kicked the conversion to make it 7-3 and they were given a huge boost after Force were down to 14-men for 20 minutes with Toni Pulu red-carded for making contact with the head of centre Kyle Godwin.

Brumbies immediately made use of the numerical advantage with this time Banks diving in the right corner as the opening half came to an end with a 12-3 scoreline.

Miotti with his second penalty kick six minutes into the second half reduced the arrears to six points which remained intact heading into the final 10 minutes after both the fly-halves exchanged three-pointers. With all to play for in the decisive closing stage of the game, replacement Ryan Lonergan ensured there was no slip up for Brumbies with back to back penalties in the 73rd and 78th minutes to complete a 21-9 victory.

Team line up:

Brumbies - 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks

Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mack Hansen

Force - 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu'u, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 6. Tim Anstee, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Domingo Miotti, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.

Reserves: 16. Andrew ready, 17. Angus Wagner, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Henry Taefu, 23. Jack McGregor.