‘The least I could do’: Brumbies' hero on match-winner that sunk Blues

With one minute left to play in an enthralling Super Rugby Pacific match on Friday evening, Ryan Lonergan looked to use every second to the ACT Brumbies’ advantage. Lonergan waited as long as possible before striking the ball and sending it through the uprights at Eden Park.

Fans tried to drown out the Brumbies’ usual first-choice halfback with a chorus of boos but their efforts were in vain as the visitors stole a one-point lead in the dying stages. There was still enough time for a restart, but the Brumbies wouldn’t be denied on a history-making night.

Former Melbourne Rebels and Chiefs playmaker Jack Debreczeni hoofed the ball into touch as the siren sounded, with the Brumbies triumphing 21-20. It was the Brumbies’ first win at the famed sporting Colosseum that is Eden Park since 2013.

Milestone man James Slipper, who became the outright second-most-capped player in Super Rugby history behind only former All Black Wyatt Crockett, was the only member of the Brumbies’ side who had won at Eden Park before – and that victory was with the Reds.

Coach Stephen Larkham appeared to be on the brink of tears minutes after the full-time whistle as the Brums handed the Blues their third loss in four matches. Lonergan was interviewed after the clash and the match-winning hero spoke candidly about that shot at goal.

“Pretty nerve-wracking to be honest,” Lonergan said on New Zealand’s Sky Sport.

“We worked so hard throughout the whole game, the forwards knew they were in for a massive day against this quality Blues pack.

“It’s the least I could do was kick it over there at the end.”

It was a game of two halves really with the Blues taking a clinical 10-point lead into the sheds at the break. Beauden Barrett was masterful in periods at first five-eighth, with the former two-time World Rugby Player of the Year scoring a try in the 16^th minute.

Former All Black Angus Ta’avao and Rieko Ioane were the two other try-scorers for the home side during the opening 40 minute period, while Wallaby Allan Alaalatoa kept the Brumbies in the fight with an effort in the 21^st minute.

Brumbies fly-half Declan Meredith was up for the challenge opposite Blues playmakers Barrett and Harry Plummer, with the youngster scoring the only try of the second-half in the 49^th minute. The Blues, in reply, failed to score any points after the 37-minute mark.

The Brumbies’ forwards deserve credit after overpowering the Blues to win a scrum penalty that allowed Lonergan to stand out with the match-winning points. In Slipper’s milestone game, and with Lonergan’s youngster brother Lachlan celebrating his 50^th match, it was a memorable night for the Brums.

“It means quite a lot. [Coach Stephen Larkham] brought that up at half-time, how long it’s been since we’ve won here,” Lonergan reflected.

“It just shows how good this tour was for us. We can over here and we had a bit of a tough start and to be able to finish off a little tour like that, it’ a real positive.

“Massive for the little brother to get his 50 and then big Jimmy there, 186 [games] I think it was. We’ve got such an experienced squad here and we feel like we’re building something special even though it wasn’t an ideal start to the season.

“I think tonight shows how hard we worked for each other. Special night.”