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Brumbies spoil Waratahs homecoming party in Super Rugby thriller

Waratahs' Michael Hooper (C) looks on during the Super Rugby match between the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on February 24, 2023. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)

The Brumbies have gatecrashed the NSW Waratahs’ homecoming to Allianz Stadium, edging their Super Rugby Pacific rivals in a 31-25 win.

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In their first game at the venue in five years, the Waratahs were caught napping at key moments and Stephen Larkham’s Brumbies will head back down the highway with a hard-earned victory.

There was some solace for the 25,076 fans present on Friday night, who got to witness the debut of highly-touted teenager Max Jorgensen.

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The 18-year-old, who became the youngest Waratahs debutant since Kurtley Beale, grabbed two tries in a promising maiden outing at the top level.

A late penalty from Tane Edmed gave the home side a losing bonus point.

Crafty Brumbies No.9 Ryan Lonergan was the star of the show for the visitors, grabbing 16 of his side’s points – including the opening try – before being subbed off for Nic White in the second half.

Lonergan got his side in the lead when he backed up a pinballing run from Tom Wright, who was all too happy to exploit some sleepy Waratahs defence.

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The Tahs quickly found themselves back level when Jorgensen was able to support a rampaging Angus Bell and shrug off the tackles of Rob Valentini and Alan Alaalatoa to cross in the 15th minute.

Edmed added the conversion, but Bell’s night was cruelled not long after due to a foot injury.

Lonergan and Edmed traded penalties before the hosts’ fate took a twist just before halftime when they switched off at a Brumbies penalty.

Lonergan shaped to kick to touch on the near side before finding an unmarked Andy Muirhead on the other side of the field.

The winger skipped past Jorgensen to give his side a 15-10 lead going into the break.

Lonergan added two penalties after the Brumbies had a try chalked off for a foot in touch, with Jorgensen squeezing in at the corner to give the Waratahs hope of sealing a comeback.

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Brumbies winger Corey Toole and NSW skipper Jake Gordon traded tries, but a missed conversion from Edmed allowed the visitors to maintain a buffer.

Noah Lolesio, who converted Toole’s try, was able to add a further three points when Michael Hooper was penalised for not releasing at the breakdown.

Edmed was able to cut the deficit with a penalty goal in the dying stages to secure his side a losing bonus point.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
France player ratings vs England | 2025 Six Nations

Sorry my delivery on that joke was a bit bland. But to reply to the couple of good points you make, to me it just seemed like they had no plan with why Gatland was staying on. I mean the plan seemed to be “just get us a win against Italy and we can continue on as we are”, which is just terrible if that’s what Gatland was trying to achieve for Wales imo.


Did it just happen to be Italy that he saw his team weren’t able to achieve his vision of success? I mean Italy are a very good side so its by no means a lost cause to not look like world beaters. Sure his focus should have been on more transient factors like growth and style for a full rebuild, not trying to avoid the wooden spoon.


Which brings me to you main point, that would be exactly what the benefit of dropping down a tier would be. A chance to really implement something, get good at it, then take it up a level again once you’re ready. Even for Italy it must have been an incredibly brutal environment to have been trying to develop as a side.


Not saying of course that the other EU teams would be any better, but it might be better for everyone if say ‘years of tough losses’ are shared between countries, rather than see Wales go through this journey two, three, possible four years in a row. Of course the main reason they don’t want to miss just one 6N season is because it would probably tank the game in their country missing out on all that revenue. I have always said they should look at widening the revenue share, there are plenty of competitions that have systems to keep bottom teams competitive, and the 6N would only make more money if it was a tierd competition with prom/rel.

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