WATCH: Corey Toole scores match-winning try for Brumbies against Waratahs

David Skippers
Corey Toole Brumbies v Waratahs SRP 2023 - PA.jpg

Brumbies wing Corey Toole was his side’s hero as he scored the match-winning try in their 40-36 win over the Waratahs in their Super Rugby Pacific derby in Canberra on Saturday.

As the scoreline suggests, this was a thrilling encounter with the end result in the balance until the game’s dying moments.

In the 77th minute, with the Waratahs holding a slender 36-35 lead, the Brumbies were camped close to their opponents try-line and after setting up a phase close to the posts the ball came out to Jack Debreczeni.

The replacement fly-half showed his class as he found Toole with a beautifully weighted long pass and the speedster crossed for his try which sealed the home side’s win.

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The result was a momentous one for the Brumbies as it was their 11th consecutive win over the Waratahs, who made an excellent start as they raced into a 14-0 lead in after Dylan Pietsch and Dave Porecki crossed for tries inside the opening quarter.

Both were converted by Ben Donaldson but the Brumbies struck back with a Len Ikitau try which was converted by Noah Lolesio before Jed Holloway crossed for another Waratahs five-pointer in the 36th minute.

Just before half-time, James Slipper crossed the whitewash which meant the match was still evenly poised with the visitors holding a 21-14 lead at the interval.

Just like the first half, the ‘Tahs were fastest out of the blocks after the break as Lalakai Foketi dotted down but the Brumbies replied when Slipper went over for his second try in the 53rd minute.

The visitors then extended their lead via a Mark Nawaqanitawase five-pointer soon after but the Brumbies would not surrender with Pete Samu and Lachlan Lonergan also scoring tries – with hooker Lonergan’s effort converted by his brother, scrum-half Ryan – which meant the Brumbies were leading 35-33 by the 66th minute.

The Waratahs were back in front when Donaldson landed a penalty in the 73rd minute before Toole’s late heroics clinched the home side’s late win.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific

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