Late O’Connor penalty seals thrilling Reds comeback

A 77th-minute penalty from James O’Connor helped the Queensland Reds snatch a thrilling 24-22 victory over the Brumbies to secure a home grand final and make it seven wins on the trot.

The Brumbies were tracking to reclaim top spot on the Super Rugby AU ladder until the Reds fought back from a 15-6 half-time deficit to secure their second two-point win over the Brumbies this season.

Josh Fluke celebrates scoring a try against the Brumbies.Credit:Getty

The Wallabies are linking up for a three-day camp in Coogee on Sunday and coach Dave Rennie should give anyone who emptied the tank on Saturday evening at least a couple of days rest after a brutal top of the table clash that lived up to the hype.

The Brumbies, last year’s Australian champions, came up short 40-38 earlier this season against Queensland and were eager for revenge on enemy turf.

They led until the 77th minute, when O’Connor iced a relatively straightforward three-pointer. The Brumbies edged deep into Reds territory in the dying stages, but Brad Thorn’s dogged Queenslanders held on to seal a brilliant win that puts them seven competition points clear with one game remaining.

Five of the past six games between the sides have now been decided by five points or less. It means the Reds will host a grand final on May 8 at Suncorp Stadium.

James O’Connor on the charge in Brisbane.Credit:Getty

Jordan Petaia was immense for the Reds and came up with a game-defining passage of play.

He booted a 50-22 to get his side down the right end of the field. Moments later, he leapt high to grab an O’Connor crossfield kick and chalk up a fine five-pointer that narrowed the margin to four points with 14 minutes remaining.

An O’Connor three-pointer reduced the margin with 10 to go and the five-eighth’s fourth penalty with just over three minutes on the clock put the nail in the coffin on a memorable evening in Brisbane.

“It’s unbelievable,” O’Connor said. “Twenty-thousand people here and we couldn’t be happier. I’m just really stoked. We wanted a home final. That was a courageous effort by the guys.”

Meanwhile, Rob Valetini did his Wallabies chances no harm with some bone-crunching carries in what was easily his best game of the year. Rennie’s No.6 conundrum might have been answered in one sensational showing.

Reds youngsters Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson wanted the ball and regularly got over the advantage line, showing they are the future of Australian rugby.

The Brumbies never get sick of driving mauls and were more than happy to go to the tried and tested weapon of choice for their first five-pointer in the sixth minute. It was a case of third time lucky as Folau Fainga’a dotted the ball down. The hooker is doing it so often that he is becoming an expert at finding the TV cameras and striking a pose.

Tom Banks made it 12-0 after intercepting an O’Connor pass to silence a vociferous crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

The Reds were able to withstand a Brumbies storm and were content chipping away in multiples of three but a late penalty to Nic White from over halfway put the visitors up 15-6 at the break.

Taniela Tupou gave Irae Simone one of the best “don’t argues” you will ever see, knocking the Brumbies No.12 off his feet in the defensive line.

The Reds clearly missed Hunter Paisami’s directness in attack and a late reshuffle in the starting back line was a less than ideal headache considering Suliasi Vunivalu still isn’t at their disposal for the next two weeks.

There was no shortage of energy or enthusiasm from both teams in perhaps the most physically demanding match this year.

Reds rookie Josh Flook beat Andy Muirhead to bag his first Super Rugby try before Tom Wright hit back courtesy of extra Brumbies numbers down the left.

The result could have gone either way at the death and one gets the sense it will be another Reds and Brumbies grand final, such is the widening gap between the other three Australian sides.

Both teams have one game remaining, with the Brumbies taking on the Rebels and the Reds battling the Western Force in round 10.

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