The ACT Brumbies have taken out the Super Rugby U19s competition with a 20-12 victory over the NSW Waratahs.
The following article by Nathan Williamson is republished with permission from ACT Rugby.
The undefeated Brumbies controlled the match as Junior Wallabies Lachlan Hooper powered them to victory.
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Earlier, the Waratahs claimed back-to-back U16s titles after a 22-8 win over the Queensland Reds.
The Waratahs capitalised on a yellow card to Berakah Tuifaasisina for collapsing a rolling maul that went nearly 40m when flanker Jarvis Orr sliced through for the opener, capitalising on an offload from player of the match Justice Taumoepeau.
Fellow flanker James Finegan dived over in the 29th minute before winger Heamasi Makasini’s effort just before half-time gave them a 15-3 lead at the break.
Captain Onitoni Large sealed the win after a nice piece of counter-attacking as Queensland could only celebrate a late consolation try to Oliver Nasser.
With one title already wrapped up, the Waratahs eyed off revenge against the Brumbies, who handed home their only loss in competition history in the opening round.
However, Hooper and the Brumbies had other ideas, with the flanker delivering a masterclass in maul destruction to take out player of the match.
He blew up several Waratah rolling mauls on their line to halt the defending champions’ momentum as the Brumbies capitalised on their chances to take out the title.
They created the opening try of the game out of nothing in the 18th minute when scrum-half Dan Nelson charged down Oliver Schmude’s kick during a rare entry to the visitors’ 22, with the rebound landing in his arms for the easy five-pointer.
The Waratahs continued to dominate the half, only to be met by a brutal Brumbies defense that constantly forced the turnover whether at maul time or thanks to their relenting line speed.
Winger Tino Tavana doubled the lead for the Brumbies before the break, finishing off a nice backline move for a 10-0 advantage as they headed into the sheds.
The Waratahs found a way over in the 44th minute via Junior Wallaby Jackson Ropata and should’ve had the lead through Oliver Mccrea, just unable to hang onto a charge down over the line three minutes later.
The boot of Cullen Gray increased the lead to six as influential replacement Tevita Alatini finished off a series of damaging runs from the forwards to seal the win with ten minutes remaining.
Schmude crossed after the siren for the Waratahs but it was too little, too late as the Brumbies took out a well-deserved win.
Congratulations to Uni-Norths Owls players (pictured above) Toby Machpherson (VC), Harvey Cordukes, Cameron Johns & Tino Tavana. Congratulations also to coaching team member Lachlan Creighton.
| Date | Home | Results | Away | Match Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 November 2023 | Brumbies U19s  |  20 - 12 |  NSW Waratahs U19s | Representative Matches |
| 28 October 2023 | Reds U19s  | 17 - 21 | Brumbies U19s | Representative Matches |
| 21 October 2023 | Western Force U19s  | 18 - 54 | Brumbies U19s | Representative Matches |
| 14 October 2023 | Brumbies U19s | 37 - 5 |  Melbourne Rebels U19s | Representative Matches |
| 30 September 2023 | Brumbies U19s | 24 - 22 | NSW Waratahs U19s | Representative Matches |
| 16 September 2023 | ACT & SNSW Griffins  | 10 - 5 | Brumbies U19s | Representative Matches |
| 09 September 2023 | City North Men | 5 - 19 | City South Men | Representative Matches |
| 09 September 2023 | Country Men | 14 - 19 | Brumbies U19s | Representative Matches |
| 09 September 2023 | Country Women | 0 - 37 | City Women | Representative Matches |
| 09 September 2023 | City North Men | 33 - 7 | Brumbies U19s | Representative Matches |
| 08 September 2023 | City South Men | 31 - 7 | Country Men | Representative Matches |
