Brumbies count cost of loss to Reds, sorry Rebels beaten again

The Brumbies’ status as Super Rugby’s Australian Conference winners is already assured, but they suffered a potentially costly 16-15 loss to the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

Winger Aidan Toua, lock Rory Arnold, flanker Chris Alcock and centre Kyle Godwin all suffered injuries ahead of the final match of the regular season away to Chiefs next week.

The visitors led through a penalty try and Godwin’s score early in the second half at Suncorp Stadium, but replacement Hamish Stewart’s try in the corner with nine minutes to go was converted by Quade Cooper for the Reds to get back in it.

And star fly-half Cooper sent over a penalty – his third of the match – to snatch a dramatic victory in the final moments.  

FULLTIME | Difficult loss for @BrumbiesRugby at Suncorp Stadium, we fall 16-15 to @Reds_Rugby .

#REDvBRU pic.twitter.com/YqpYlg8d8N

— Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 7, 2017

Later in the day, two first-half tries from Marika Koroibete proved in vain as Melbourne Rebels’ woeful Super Rugby campaign continued with a 31-22 loss at Western Force.

The Rebels have won just once all season and failed to improve on that record against the other Australian franchise at risk of being cut from the competition.

Koroibete rounded off two fine breaks from deep on the Melbourne left to give the visitors to Perth a 15-14 half-time advantage.

However, Richard Hardwick and Chance Peni went over in quick succession amid a dominant start to the second period from the Force and the Rebels were left with too much to do after falling 16 points behind.

FULL TIME | FORCE WIN! #SeaofBlue #FORvREB pic.twitter.com/gnxB0uNkGq

— Western Force (@westernforce) July 7, 2017