The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have finished their 2024 season at Allianz Stadium tonight as the side fell to the NSW Waratahs at a score of 47-27.
The Waratahs would cash in their home field advantage early in the third minute as they managed to cross the line first in the contest through a Desiree Miller putting up a chip-kick to the right corner which was promptly collected and put down by right winger Maya Stewart. Converted by flyhalf Arabella McKenzie, the Waratahs found a handy 7-0 lead in three minutes of play.
The Brumbies wouldn't take long to strike back, executing a slick backline move from a scrum in Waratahs territory. Scrumhalf Kolora Lomani managed to create a two-on-one situation which she summed up beautifully with a pass to twentieth gamer Biola Dawa who scored in the corner untouched.
Going try for try early, the home side would cross the line again through Georgina Friedrichs after the side in blue made the most of a kick return in broken play to score in the 14th minute.
In the 18th minute, the Waratahs would manage to take notes from the Canberra side and score off their own scrum feed through a bouncing cut out pass to Miller.
Adding to her tally in the 27th minute, Miller secured her second try after Waratahs fullback Caitlyn Halse found her way through the Brumbies defensive line and managed to put in a grubber which landed on Miller's chest in the Brumbies in-goal. Continuing her perfect kicking, McKenzie landed another from close to the sideline for her fourth conversion of the night.
Continuing her grit she has shown all through the Brumbies season, lock Kate Holland pounced on a quick ruck just inches from the Waratahs line and forced her way over through two defenders, for the away sides second try of the match in the 30th minute.
The Brumbies would then continue to look dangerous as the second half loomed, finding territory and certainly making the home sides line defence nervous. However the side would fail to convert their newfound momentum into points as they would go into the sheds at a 28-10 deficit.
The Brumbies would however find some early points three minutes into the second half as Faitala Moleka would nab a penalty goal taking the scores to 28-13.
Continuing to cement herself as a try-scoring threat Sally Fuesaina took matters into her own hands in the 46th minute as the loosehead barrelled through the Waratahs defence for a five-pointer. Converted by Moleka the Brumbies found themselves right back in the contest at 28-20.
Proving she wasn't yet finished with her try-scoring spree, the Waratahs Desiree Miller found herself on the end of another backline move which worked through five sets of hands to add to the home sides scoreline. Converted by McKenzie the NSW side were back in front by 15 with 23 minutes remaining.
Inspired by her fellow Waratahs winger the Stewart also managed to find multiple tries on Friday night as the 14 secured another try in the corner in the 64th minute.
Keeping the visitors within a sniff of the lead, finishing prop for the Brumbies Allana Sikimeti replicated her fellow props Fuesaina's try earlier in the match barging through multiple Waratah's to find a five-pointer of her own. Converted by Moleka the scores went to 40-27 with 11 minutes of play remaining.
Battling hard for the remaining minutes the Waratahs would lock in their grand final tickets as they would find a final try after a scrum through Siusiuosalafai Volkman sending the final score to 47-27 after McKenzie converted another.
NSW Waratahs 47 (Tries: Maya Stewart 2, Georgina Friedrichs, Desiree Miller 3, Siusiuosalafai Volkman; Conversions: Arabella McKenzie 6) def. Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 27 (Tries: Biola Dawa, Kate Holland, Sally Fuesaina, Allana Sikimeti; Conversions: Faitala Moleka 2; Penalty Goals: Faitala Moleka)
