The Brumbies have their first win of the Super W season and could yet play finals after sneaking by Melbourne Rebels in a thriller at GIO Stadium.
The hosts (1-4) moved inside the top four with Friday night’s 30-23 win ahead of a crunch encounter with the Western Force in Perth next weekend which will likely determine their fate.
The Brumbies scored the first three tries of the contest and looked poised for an easy win but had to lift to see off a strong Rebels fightback, going behind early in the second half and not hitting the front again until a 76th-minute penalty from Faitala Moleka.
Winger Biola Dawa sealed the win minutes later, capping a drive that started with her own brilliant intercept by getting the ball back and crossing in the corner.
Bench halfback Jay Huriwai had pulled the Brumbies back to 23-22 down with a try, bouncing off a number of Rebel players and crashing over from close range, but a missed conversion left them still needing to go and win the game.
Brumbies captain Siokapesi Palu said winning in front of their home crowd was a special moment for the side.
“It’s very exciting … we’re all cheering and what better moment to actually win a home game,” she told Stan Sport.
“We know the Rebels do come out with a game and they’re very physical and they’re quite quick off the mark, and so we just had to make sure we matched that.”
Hooker Tania Naden struck first from a rolling maul while Lydia Kavoa scored in the same corner on 12 minutes after picking off a Rebels’ lineout throw.
Brumbies winger Apryll Green capped a sweeping team move for their third try in between a pair of penalty goals from Rebels kicker Mia Rae Clifford, although the Rebels pinched one back on the stroke of halftime via Utumalefata To’omalatai.
Winless Melbourne hit the front on 47 minutes via a stunning 40m break from Faalua Tugaga, slicing through the Brumbies’ defence to cap her side’s momentum.
To’omalatai led the way for the Rebels with bustling carries up the middle of the park, while No.8 Grace Kemp did much the same for the Brumbies, keeping them rolling forward when all looked lost in the second half.
Clifford was also vital for the Rebels, slotting three long-range penalty goals that kept her side in the game.
“Great game out there, both sides are super physical,” Rebels captain Ashley Marsters told Stan Sport.
“It was very close throughout the whole game, so credit to the Brumbies, they really came back with the fight.
“We really wanted to give it to them but obviously we fell out towards the end there.”
