LAST GASP LOSS FOR BLUES IN CANBERRA
It was heartbreak at the hooter for the Blues in Canberra, falling 30-27 to the Brumbies in a Round 3 clash that had everything.
The opening 40 minutes were a genuine arm wrestle. The Blues started with strong territory and intent, but it was the Brumbies who struck first against the run of play, a clever kick in behind leading to the opener and a 7-0 lead.
The response was immediate. Caleb Clarke read the play perfectly, intercepting a pass and racing away to level the scores at 7-7.
Despite conceding a penalty and another try midway through the half, the Blues stayed composed and chipped away at the deficit. A Stephen Perofeta penalty reduced the margin before a momentum-shifting play just before the break.
Finlay Christie launched a midfield bomb which Josh Beehre regathered brilliantly. From the ensuing phases, AJ Lam muscled his way through multiple defenders to score a superb try, levelling the game 15-15 at halftime.
The second half was built on resilience. The Blues absorbed sustained pressure early, conceding just three points before striking when their opportunity came. A quick Christie throw found Cole Forbes in space, and after sharp ball movement to the left edge, Clarke crossed for his second to give the visitors the lead.
Momentum continued to build when Codemeru Vai punched through the middle off the bench, setting the platform for Dalton Papali’i to finish in the corner in his 100th match. At 27-18, the Blues had control.
But rugby can turn quickly. A yellow card to Perofeta in the 71st minute shifted momentum in the home side’s favour and the Brumbies capitalised, scoring twice with the final blow coming in stoppage time to steal the result.
Clarke was electric with 108 metres and four clean breaks, while Papali’i led from the front with 19 tackles and two turnovers in his 100th match.
The Blues look to regroup in front of their home fans with another big match-up against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Blues 27 (Tries: Clarke 2, Lam, Papali'i; Cons: Perofeta 2; Pens: Perofeta)
ACT Brumbies 30 (Tries: Meredith, Pollard, Reimer, Cale; Cons: Lonergan, Edmed; Pens: Lonergan 2)
Referee: Angus Gardner