Last-gasp O'Connor’s hoot of a try earns Reds AU crown

SKIPPER James O'Connor scored the winning try five minutes after the final hooter as the Queensland Reds beat the ACT Brumbies 19-16 to win the Super Rugby AU final in front of more than 40 000 fans at Lang Park in Brisbane yesterday.

The biggest crowd for a rugby match in the world this year gathered anticipating the coronation of Brad Thorn's young side but the Brumbies almost spoiled the party with a mature display of percentage rugby.

Leading 16-12 but reduced to 13 men with two players in the sin bin, the reigning champions resisted surge after surge at their line in the final 10 minutes before the Reds finally moved the ball wide for flyhalf O'Connor to score.

An 11th successive home victory gave the Reds a second Super Rugby title a decade after their first, when they beat Thorn's Canterbury Crusaders at the same stadium.

"It was a tough one, it always is against the Brumbies," O'Connor grinned. "I'm super proud of the boys, they came home strong."

Brumbies fullback Tom Banks scored his side's only try in the 13th minute and flyhalf Noah Lolesio kept them in front for most of the match with a conversion and three penalties.