Brumbies

The 2021 Super Rugby AU Grand Final rematch didn't disappoint with a tight, physical 80-minutes of rugby. The Brumbies came out on top in a hard-fought fixture, despite the Reds scoring two tries-to-one.

The game came down to the wire once again, with the Brumbies holding on in the final minutes to break a three-game losing streak against the Queenslanders.

First five-eighth James O'Connor earned the Reds their first five-pointer of the night with a deceiving right-foot step and show and go close to the line to make it 7-3 in the 26th minute.

McKellar was asked by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie last year but declined, preferring to focus on the Brumbies.

But after taking his team to their second successive Super Rugby AU final – for a win and a loss – he has opted to sign on for the international season.

He will return to Canberra before the 2022 Super Rugby campaign but is being earmarked for a full-time role with the Wallabies heading into the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Australia return to international action in a three-test campaign against France next month, with game one on July 7 at the SCG.

Domingo Miotti missed a chance to see the Western Force to a home win over the Chiefs in Perth as they went down 20-19 while Noah Lolesio missed a similar last-gasp chance to earn the ACT Brumbies a draw with the Crusaders in Christchurch, handing the New Zealanders a 31-29 win.

The Blues, meanwhile, pulverised the Melbourne Rebels 50-3.

The trio of New Zealand wins added to Friday's success for the Highlanders, who outmuscled Australian champions Queensland Reds, and the Hurricanes, who beat the New South Wales Waratahs.

A four-try first half blitz earned Dan McKellar's side the win and a bonus point to move ahead of the Queensland Reds ahead of the Reds' match-up with the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.

The Brumbies dominated throughout and, after the Force held firm despite the early pressure, it was the sin binning of Tevita Kuridrani that turned the game in the home side's favour.

The Wallabies centre was shown the yellow card for a deliberate knock on in the 19th minute and it took less than a minute for his old team to capitalise, powering out to a 28-0 halftime lead.

Alaalatoa was sent off just before halftime in the Brumbies’ thrilling win over Melbourne on Saturday night for a clumsy shot on Pone Fa’amausili, which left the Rebels prop concussed.

Alaalatoa pleaded guilty to the dangerous-tackle charge, with the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee taking into account his clean record and reducing the sanction.

Returning to Canberra after having to self-isolate for a fortnight after getting caught up in Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak in recent weeks, Sio made it clear he was glad to be back ahead of his side’s season-opener against the Force on February 19.

“I think a lot of teams will have to deal with similar problems, so we’ve just got to adapt and adjust as best we can,” he said on Monday.

The 29-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Perth team, where he will reunite with Kyle Godwin in a formidable centre combination.

Kuridrani, who has played 61 Tests over the past seven years, was a surprise omission from Dave Rennie’s new-look Wallabies squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series and Rugby Championship.

He started at outside centre for the Brumbies in their grand final victory over Queensland on Saturday night, bringing to a close his 135-game career in Canberra which began in 2012.

The victory ensured the Brumbies' third title at Super Rugby level, having won the broader international Super Rugby competition in 2001 and 2004.

Hooker Folau Fainga'a, winger Andy Muirhead and fullback Tom Banks all crossed for the home side, while first-five Noah Lolesio, surprisingly brought back after two months out with a hamstring injury, kicked 13 points.

Loose forward Harry Wilson and lock Angus Blyth scored tries for the Reds and James O'Connor added 13 points from the boot to give them hopes of adding to their only Super Rugby title in 2011.

The former Wallabies No.10 handed the reins over to the 20-year-old this year when he shifted his career overseas, but has been helping the Brumbies prepare for the Super Rugby AU competition’s start next month.

The 32-year-old has been making up the numbers at training and also acting as an extra coach for Lolesio, who has been lapping it up.

“After today’s session I went up to him and asked him what he thought and he gave some really wise advice,” Lolesio said.

“He’s always been a role model for me so it’s awesome that he can be here.”

SANZAAR announced the competition would be paused following this weekend's matches amid the COVID-19 outbreak, which continues to disrupt sport around the world.

The Sharks managed to play their game on Saturday, beating South African rivals the Stormers 24-14, while the Jaguares-Highlanders clash was cancelled.

The Brumbies and Waratahs managed to take to the field on Sunday, with the former cruising to victory at GIO Stadium in Canberra.