Kings make late charge to deny Brumbies and produce the shock of the season
The Southern Kings completed a second-half comeback against the Brumbies to earn a shock 28-28 draw in Canberra.
Last Updated: 05/04/13 4:17pm
Kings number eight Cornell du Preez scored his second try of the match after the siren to clinch the biggest upset of the Super Rugby campaign so far.
In a dramatic encounter the Kings outscored the Brumbies four tries to two meaning the Brumbies lose their points difference lead in the overall standings while the visitors climb up the table to 12th.
The Brumbies dominated the majority of the first half as they built up a 13-point lead before the visitors managed to get on the scoreboard.
First-half penalties from Christian Lealiifano set the home side on their way while Henry Speight collected the ball from a grubber to cross the line and score the first try of the game.
Less than five minutes had elapsed when scrum-half Nic White's long pass found Joe Tomane who slipped through in the corner to extend the hosts' lead.
The Kings gathered momentum midway through the first half as the Brumbies defence was found lacking for first time as Schalk Ferreira crossed the line to open the visitors' account.
George Whitehead converted before Wimpie van der Walt drove the Kings over for a second try and another conversion left them in touching distance entering the interval.
Late Drama
Despite the Brumbies holding a 19-14 lead at half-time the Kings took a surprising lead early in the second period after Du Preez crossed the line for a well-executed try.
Christian Lealiifano scored five penalties to restore the Brumbies lead which looked strong enough to seal victory before late drama ensured.
When the siren sounded in the Canberra Stadium the Brumbies held a 28-21 lead but there was still time for a Kings line-out.
After winning the line-out the Kings pressed on into the Brumbies 22 before two tap-and-go penalties paved the way for Cornell du Preez to cross the line and set up a regulation conversion for Demetri Catrakilis as the scores were levelled.