A hat-trick of tries from winger Joe Tomane helped the Brumbies to a 20-26 Super Rugby victory over the Waratahs in Sydney at Allianz Stadium.
The result keeps the Brumbies on top of the Australian Conference and gives them a 9 point lead over the Sydney side who have a match in hand over the Brumbies.
The loss for the Waratahs is their fourth from six matches this year and their third straight loss from four matches at home in Sydney.
The Brumbies victory over the Waratahs is their first in Sydney since July 2012 when they beat the hosts 15-19 at ANZ Stadium.
The victory is the Brumbies first at Allianz Stadium since 2002 and is their third in sixteen visits to Sydney.
| # | Teams | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | BP T | BP -7 | BP | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brumbies | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 425 | 326 | 99 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 43 | |
 Force | 15 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 260 | 441 | -181 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 13 | |
 Rebels | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 365 | 486 | -121 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 31 | |
 Reds | 15 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 290 | 458 | -168 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 17 | |
 Waratahs | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 413 | 317 | 96 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 40 |
The victory also ensured the Brumbies defeated the Waratahs twice in a season for the first time since 2012.
“I’m very happy with that,” said Brumbies captain Stephen Moore.
“We knew we just had to work hard in that second half and I’m very proud of our defence particularly.”
After a big loss to the Waikato Chiefs in Canberra in their last outing, the Brumbies needed to get away to a quick start. They did that when Tomane crossed for his first five-pointer after only seven minutes.
They were in again eight minutes later when Tomane grabbed his second with a 50-metre run to the line following a break from Wallabies centre Matt Toomua.
The Waratahs struck back with a try to winger Reece Robinson and a Bernard Foley penalty, before hitting the front in the 31st minute when Israel Folau finished some superb work from the NSW backs.
Folau’s try was his 29th in Waratahs colours and equals Lote Tuqiri’s try-scoring record for the Waratahs.
But any thoughts the Waratahs may have had of taking a lead into the half-time break were dashed when Moore crashed over at the back of a rolling maul.
Christian Leali’ifano’s conversion put the Brumbies ahead 19-17 at the break, and they extended that lead to 26-17 when Tomane scored his third eight minutes after the restart.
The match developed into an arm wrestle and the Waratahs got within striking distance with a second Foley penalty when there were eight minutes remaining. But the Brumbies held on to secure the points despite a wave of NSW attacks in the closing stages.
“It wasn’t pretty, there was a lot of dropped ball — it was quite slippery and there was a lot of physicality from both sides,” said Brumbies coach Steve Larkham.
“But I loved their composure in that last little passage.”
The Waratahs travel to Perth next week where they will play the Western Force. The Brumbies return home as they host the Crusaders on Sunday.
Final Score Waratahs 20 (17) Brumbies 26 (19)
Scorers
Waratahs
Tries -R.Robinson, I.Folau
Pen – B.Foley 2
Con – B.Foley 2
Drop –
Cards – W.Palu (72nd min yellow)
Brumbies
Tries – J.Tomane 3, S.Mooore
Pen –
Con – C.Lealiifano 3
Drop –
Cards – J.Butler (76th min yellow)
Attendance : 25,319
Match Officials
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Michael Hogan
TMO : Ian Smith
Teams
Waratahs
1. Benn Robinson , 2. Hugh Roach , 3. Tom Robertson , 4. Dean Mumm , 5. Will Skelton , 6. Jack Dempsey , 7. Michael Hooper (C) , 8. Jed Holloway , 9. Nick Phipps , 10. Bernard Foley , 11. Matt Carraro , 12. Kurtley Beale , 13. Israel Folau , 14. Reece Robinson , 15. Andrew Kellaway
Replacements 16. James Hilterbrand , 17. Paddy Ryan , 18. Angus Ta’avao , 19. Sam Lousi , 20. Wycliff Palu , 21. David Dennis , 22. Matt Lucas , 23. David Horwitz
Brumbies
Scott Sio , Stephen Moore (c) , Ben Alexander , Rory Arnold , Sam Carter , Scott Fardy , Jarrad Butler , Jordan Smiler , Tomás Cubelli , Christian Lealiifano (c) , Joe Tomane , Matt Toomua , Tevita Kuridrani , Robbie Coleman , Aidan Toua
Replacements : Josh Mann-Rea , Allan Alaalatoa , Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin , Tom Staniforth , Michael Wells , Joe Powell , James Dargaville , Nigel Ah Wong
