Full-back Tom Wright finished off a stunning team try for the Brumbies that he started in his side’s 22 as they secured a home quarter-final with a 33-17 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
The hosts were defending deep in their 22 before the Rebels spilt the ball and Wright, who is ever the opportunist, pounced on it.
He charged up the left-hand side before shovelling a speculative ball over the covering defenders. Corey Toole received the pass then played it to Jack Debreczeni who was quick to offload to Len Ikitau.
The centre was brought to ground but threw a blind pass and Wright was on hand to collect the ball and spectacularly score in the corner.
🐎 Tom Wright rounds of a superb team try for the Brumbies in their Australian #SuperRugbyPacific derby against the Rebels in Canberra! #BRUvREB pic.twitter.com/LKruiu27fh
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 2, 2023
Both sides needed a win going into the clash – the Brumbies to secure a top-four spot and the Rebels to push for the play-offs, and this showed in the early stages.
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It took 15 minutes to open the scoring as speedster Toole found his way across the line for opening try. Debreczeni was on hand to slot the conversion.
The Rebels found their way onto the scoreboard through a Reece Hodge penalty in the 23rd minute before Carter Gordon continued his good form with a try in the 28th minute. The team’s first centurion Hodge nailed the conversion.
The momentum would swing back in the way of the hosts who managed an important try five minutes before the break through Connal Mcinerney, with fly-half Debreczeni making no mistake from tee.
The second half would produce its first score after only six minutes as Wright rounded off the stunning team try with the extras successfully added. Centre Ollie Sapsford was then on hand for a quick-fire converted try in the 52nd minute.
The Rebels would do all they could to get back in the game but all the side could manage was a consolation try from Brad Wilkin that Hodge converted.
The win for the Brumbies means a home quarter-final for them whilst it is heartbreak for the Rebels.
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Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific