It was a night filled with energy, entertainment and an ecstatic home crowd at GIO Stadium, but the final moments belonged to local product Chris Mickelson, whose dream Super Rugby debut helped lift the Brumbies to a commanding 32 - 15 victory over the Western Force.
The Brumbies exploded into the contest from the opening kick-off. After forcing an immediate error from the Force, the home side launched into attack and struck just 90 seconds into the match, with Lachlan Shaw crashing over from close range for his second opening try in consecutive weeks. Ryan Lonergan added the extras to hand the Brumbies an early 7–0 lead.
What followed was a brutal arm wrestle. Both sides traded heavy hits, powerful carries and attacking raids, while the Brumbies crowd roared with every turnover and forced error. The Force hit back in the 16th minute through Harry Johnson-Holmes, before Ben Donaldson levelled the scores at 7–7.
Donaldson later slotted a penalty in the 29th minute to edge the visitors ahead, but the response from the Brumbies was immediate. Corey Toole sparked the attack with his trademark electric footwork and line-breaking speed. A sublime pass from Lonergan put David Feliuai through a hole, feeding Ollie Sapsford to finish brilliantly in the left-hand corner. Lonergan converted to restore the Brumbies’ lead at 14–10 heading into half-time.
The freezing Canberra conditions added another layer to the spectacle, with steam visibly rising from the scrums as the physical contest intensified.
The second half saw the Brumbies lift to another level. Lonergan drilled a huge penalty goal from near 50 metres in the 48th minute before crossing himself just minutes later off the back of a slick scrum play to extend the lead to 22–10.
With confidence building, the Brumbies began to put on a show with flick passes, sharp support play and fearless running, keeping the GIO crowd on its feet throughout the night.
The Force managed to respond through Carlo Tizzano in the 60th minute, but the loudest roar of the evening was still to come.
In the 71st minute, local home-grown talent Chris Mickelson made his Super Rugby debut, officially becoming the newest Brumbies cap. Friends, family and supporters erupted as the debutant entered the field.
Just three minutes later came the moment he will never forget.
Mickelson crashed over from close range in the 74th minute to score in dream fashion on debut, celebrating with his local club’s iconic owl hand signal as he looked toward his friends and family in the crowd. The stadium erupted as teammates swarmed the young Brumby in a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the night.
Lonergan converted to extend the lead to 32–15, sealing another entertaining Brumbies victory in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Brumbies pocket the victory and the all important competition points, heading into a bye week. The Brumbies will head up the Hume Highway in two weeks to face arch enemies the NSW Waratahs.
