Brumbies rally to beat Reds

The Brumbies rallied from 15 points down to claim a 45-21 bonus-point victory over the Reds at GIO Stadium.

Tries from Taniela Tupou and Chris Feauai-Sautia and a Jono Lance penalty put the Reds in control midway through the first half, but the Brumbies cut the gap to 18-12 at the interval after Folau Fainga’a and powerful number eight Isi Naisarani went over.

Fainga’a was denied a double after the hooker performed a spectacular dive in the corner on the stroke of halftime, only to be ruled out of the field of play.

The Reds’ Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi and Filipo Daugunu combined to bust through 18 tackles in the opening 40 spell.

However, it was the second half that belonged to the Brumbies.

Winger Chance Peni re-opened the scoring in the 47th minute to start the Brumbies comeback, and Naisarani completed his double shortly after to bring the scoreline to 18-17, still in favour of the Reds.

That momentum would carry the Brumbies through, with Rory Arnold, Sam Carter and David Pocock picking up second-half tries for Dan McKellar’s men as they ran away with a third win of the season.

BRUMBIES 45 (Faingaa, Naisarani 2, Peni, Rory Arnold, Carter, Pocock tries; Lealiifano 4 cons, Hawera con) REDS 21 (Tupou, Feauai-Sautia tries; Tuttle pen, Lance 2 pens, con) HT 12-18