It was another gallant performance from the Rebels on the road as they came within seconds of taking the title holding Brumbies to extra time.
In a see-sawing match the Rebels were kept on the board by a flawless kicking display from our captain, registering 8 out of 8 penalty attempts to create a new club record.
Coach Dave Wessels commented, “I thought we played with a lot of intensity and after a difficult couple of weeks for us and all the changes we have had I was really proud of the effort, but that all said, it’s also not ok to lose and we have to close out games like that.”
Captain Matt To’omua, “We have been two kicks away from winning, on paper, the two hardest games in the competition with no trial games, so there’s plenty to like and the key for us now is to take the positives and to take the lessons and move forward.”
See below for the full match report from Melanie Woods, AAP reporting for Rugby AU.
The Brumbies remain unbeaten in Super Rugby AU after a penalty kick by halfback Ryan Lonergan three minutes after fulltime helped them to a win over Melbourne.
Brumbies reserve halfback Ryan Lonergan has launched a miracle 55m penalty kick in the 83rd minute to secure a stunning 27-24 Super Rugby AU win over Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.
The teams appeared headed for golden-try time, locked at 24-all after 80 minutes, but the brave Brumbies ran the ball out of their own half and then secured a penalty at the breakdown. Lonergan opted to take the unlikely kick in the swirling breeze at GIO Stadium but it went the distance before he was swamped by his cheering teammates.
It was a second week of heartbreak for the Rebels, who missed their own opportunity to snatch a win over the Queensland Reds with a wayward penalty after the 80th minute last week.
Lonergan proved a key replacement, setting up a late Brumbies' try with a flick pass on to fullback Tom Banks.
It was a gritty performance by the home side who also had to overcome the send-off of skipper Allan Alaalatoa and losing hooker Connal McInerney early with an ankle injury.
Alaalatoa was given a red card in the final minute of the first half for an alleged shoulder charge on Pone Fa'amausili, which ended the Rebels prop's night.
A concussed Fa'amausili had to be assisted from the field and will likely miss their trip to Perth to play the Western Force next week.
Rebels skipper Matt Toomua put his team back in front through that penalty, taking a 12-10 lead to the sheds.
Toomua had a flawless night, booting a perfect eight penalties from eight attempts, while Rebels halfback Joe Powell had a big game against his former side.
Marika Koroibete was also a stand-out in the second half but couldn't nail the try the Rebels desperately needed, while their forwards including lock Trevor Hosea and prop Cabous Eloff worked hard to unsettle the Brumbies.
But it counted for little with the home side keeping their unbeaten record intact, having now won 18 from their last 19 home matches.
BRUMBIES 27
Tries: Ikitau, Penalty Try, Banks
Cons: Lolesio, Lonergan Pens: Lolesio, Lonergan
REBELS 24
Pens: To'omua 8
