A 77th-minute Corey Toole try has allowed the Brumbies to extend their streak against the NSW Waratahs to 11 games after stealing a come-from-behind 40-36 Super Rugby Pacific victory.
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In an excellent Wallabies selection trial on the eve of Eddie Jones naming his first national team squad, the Brumbies trailed 33-21 with 20 minutes left and by one point three minutes from time and looked at risk of losing to their arch-rivals for the first time since 2018.
But a scintillating pass from bench five-eighth Jack Debreczeni allowed Toole to grab the vital points and seal victory in the pulsating GIO Stadium encounter.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham praised his side's bench, including Debreczeni, for changing the game.
"We certainly showed our composure and belief in that second half ... you could probably argue our bench did a better job than their bench," he said.
"We put them under a little bit of pressure with a bit of territory and they failed to exit a couple of times there and we've capitalised on that.
"It was a bit tit-for-tat ... the second half, we found a bit of energy with these boys and we started to convert those opportunities and put that pressure on them inside their half."
The Brumbies looked to be on the ropes when down 12 points with 20 minutes to play, but flipped the switch via forward dominance with tries for No.8 Pete Samu and hooker Lachie Lonergan.
NSW five-eighth Ben Donaldson slotted a penalty to take a 36-35 lead, before Toole's heroics ensured the Brumbies protected their winning run against the Waratahs.
The Brumbies were only in the game thanks to prop James Slipper, who scored a remarkable double that included a storming run when he split the NSW line untouched.
Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase produced try of the night to extend the lead to 33-21, breaking the line and then chipping for himself before regathering and grounding the ball.
In one of the Tahs' best performances of the Super Rugby Pacific season, young gun Max Jorgensen produced a sizzling line break before he put centre Lalakai Foketi through for a 28-14 lead.
The Waratahs seemed certain for a drought-breaking win ahead 28-14 on 49 minutes, leading despite the Brumbies forward pack absolutely working them over.
So dominant was the Brumbies' scrum, they forced two NSW tighthead props to the sin-bin for repeated fouling on the try-line, although the Tahs struck despite their two-man disadvantage via Jed Holloway.
Toole put himself firmly on Wallabies boss Jones' radar with another strong outing, his elite speed matched with a series of bruising runs and defensive efforts.
Jorgensen is another bolter that could earn a nod, his brilliant attacking work complemented with a solid defensive effort that included a magical try-saving tackle on Toole.
The win leaves the Brumbies 5-1 for the season, while the Waratahs are 1-5, although NSW coach Darren Coleman said his side didn't feel like losers.
"I'm proud to be their coach, they are tough, committed and we gave it a good shot," he said.
"We fell a bit short but it's a different sort of feeling, I'm obviously disappointed we lost and I feel for the boys because I haven't had much pay for their work of late.
"The team has got incredible spirit, some of those goal-line stands particularly in the first half again were exceptional."
Australian Associated Press
