Brumbies lead the charge for Aussie hopes as Reds falter in Suva

File photo courtesy of ANDREW KACIMAIWAI

THE ACT Brumbies firmed as Australia’s top finals hope after the other local sides all suffered away losses in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The Brumbies hurt the Waratahs’ finals hopes with a 40-17 Super Rugby Pacific win in Canberra on Saturday night.

As the country voted, the Brumbies piled on three quick second-half tries to reinforce their status as Australia’s top finals candidate.

“It feels great, mate,” Brumbies captain Allan Ala’alatoa told interviewers after the game.

The Brumbies consolidated third spot on the table to boost their top-three finals hopes and a crucial home play-off.

Stung by last week’s home loss to the Hurricanes, the Brumbies came out firing, dominating the opening quarter and surprising the Waratahs with the first try from a lineout.

Instead of deploying their deadly driving maul, the Brumbies quickly shifted the ball left to Toole, who strolled over in acres of space.

The Waratahs slipped to eighth on the ladder and desperately need to beat Queensland in another Australian derby next Friday night to stay in the finals hunt.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a tough trip home,” Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon told interviewers.

“We’ve got to get on with this pretty quickly and move on to a game which, traditionally, is a really good game for us and one we get really excited for.”

DRUA SPOIL QLD HOPES

The last-placed Fijian Drua continue to play spoilers by upsetting Queensland 36-33 in Suva on Saturday.

The Reds were a minute away from a first win in the Fijian capital before replacement Isikeli Rabitu surged over for the winner with 52 seconds left on the clock.

Reds mentor and Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss had billed the match “must win” for his fourth-placed side as they chase a top-three finals berth and all-important home play-off.

BEALE BACK ON THE FIELD

Western Force fullback Kurtley Beale has marked his long-awaited return with a try in their 40-19 loss to the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

It was his first game in 10 months ago as the hosts scored a bonus-point victory to lift themselves over the Force despite both sides having 22 points.

“It’s good to be back but disappointed in the end,” Beale told NZ interviewers.

“The boys are gutted, so back to the drawing board for a big week next week against the Brumbies.

“(I felt) a little bit of butterflies, but it’s rugby. You love the game for what it is.

“The game’s changing, it’s getting fitter, faster, stronger. But I enjoy the challenge.

“I love the unpredictability about the game.”