Brumbies Ryan Lonergan kicks the match winning penalty during the Super Rugby Pacific - Blues v Brumbies at Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The Blues are officially in crisis mode after a shock 21-20 loss to the Brumbies at Eden Park. The result leaves them with one win out of their four games and an uphill battle looming to defend their Super Rugby Pacific title.
Replacement halfback Ryan Lonergan was the hero for the Brumbies, nervelessly knocking through a penalty from 35 metres out in the 79th minute. It came after the Blues had ample opportunity to close out what would've been an unsatisfactory victory but bumbled their way to giving up a free kick at a lineout and then the penalty from a scrum.
The first half was more of an arm wrestle but still delivered a couple of excellent tries, with Beauden Barrett slicing through the defence to open the scoring. Angus Ta'avao finished off a fantastic move that started on their own 22 when Cole Forbes broke out and linked with Rieko Ioane. Not long after, Cam Christie pinched a Brumbies' lineout and Finlay Christie did really well to find a flying Cam Suafoa, who sent Ioane away to score his 50th Super Rugby try.
However, the Brumbies just wouldn't give up, first Declan Meredith added a penalty to Alan Alaalatoa's first half try, then scored one of his own in the corner to close the gap up to an uncomfortable two-point lead for the Blues. From then on, the Brumbies simply did a better job of keeping the ball in the right part of the field, culminating in Lonergan's late heroics.
Barrett didn't return after halftime with a hand injury, and despite a decent turn by Harry Plummer at first five, his absence was clearly felt.
Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Cam Christie, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Cameron Suafoa; 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Cole Forbes
Bench: 16. Nathaniel Pole, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Tristyn Cook, 20. Che Clark, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Corey Evans
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Nick Frost, 5. Lachlan Shaw, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Charlie Cale, 9. Harrison Goddard, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright
Bench: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Ollie Sapsford
