ACT Brumbies v Wellington Hurricanes talking points: Christian Lealiifano returns

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This was published 6 years ago

ACT Brumbies v Wellington Hurricanes talking points: Christian Lealiifano returns

By Eamonn Tiernan
Updated

It was the moment the rugby world had been waiting for as ACT Brumbies star Christian Lealiifano ran out for the second half at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, less than one year after being diagnosed with cancer.

With the Brumbies leading the Hurricanes 16-15, Lealiifano replaced James Dargaville at inside centre which brought both sets of supporters to their feet to applaud the extraordinary achievement.

Christian Lealiifano watches on from the bench against the Hurricanes.

Christian Lealiifano watches on from the bench against the Hurricanes.Credit: Getty Images

Lealiifano was diagnosed with blood cancer one week after the Brumbies were knocked out of finals by the Highlanders last year - a game he remarkably played with cancer.

The 29-year-old was told he needed chemotherapy to treat his leukemia and the ever-positive Lealiifano immediately vowed to beat the illness and add to his 117 Brumbies caps.

TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes passes during the Super Rugby Quarter Final match between the Brumbies and the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium.

TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes passes during the Super Rugby Quarter Final match between the Brumbies and the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium.Credit: Mark Nolan

Only 11 months later and he did just that with a 40-minute shift at the stadium where he launched his career as a Brumby a decade ago and the ACT faithful loved every moment.

Coach Stephen Larkham suggested pre-game that Lealiifano may not get on the park in the final and while that was never going to happen, few expected him to run out with Brumbies after half-time.

It is testament to just how highly future Wallabies coach Larkham rates his 19-Test player and few will doubt his ability make another comeback in a gold jersey down the track.

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Leading into the quarterfinal the Brumbies said they never doubted Lealiifano's return and while it wasn't his strongest showing, it was an effort that will go down in Australian rugby history.

There were dozens of his family and friends in the crowd but none more proud than partner Luga and one-year-old son Jeremih who have been there for every step of the journey.

The Brumbies couldn't get home for their inspirational co-captain but his sheer presence back on the field as a professional rugby player proved there's more important things than winning.

The Falcon

The Brumbies dominated the opening 25 minutes and led 13-5 with more than 80 per cent possession looked in complete control.

When the Hurricanes finally got some ball inside the Brumbies 22m they somehow scored the flukiest try of the season.

In an absurd sequence the Hurricanes were working towards the Brumbies' line when scrumhalf TJ Perenara rocketed a pass into the head of trail runner Ben May.

The ball falconed off the unsuspecting prop's head, before Jordie Barrett raced into the in goal and dived on the loose to score as the bewildered Brumbies watched on hopelessly.

Barrett converted his own try and closed the gap to one point as the score ultimately kept the Hurricanes within striking distance for an inevitable second half onslaught.

Fickle Canberra fans no show again

There was talk during the week that Australia didn't deserve to host a Super Rugby final and the critics will only grow louder after a dismal crowd of just 9771 showed up.

What more did the Brumbies have to do?

Written-off at the start of the year after losing five Wallabies, they proved the pundits wrong and secured the guaranteed Australian conference finals berth with two games in hand.

In last year's quarterfinal only 8500 turned up, but it was raining sideways that night. It was perfect rugby conditions at Canberra Stadium on Friday and there was no reason to stay at home.

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If watching one of the best attacking teams in Super Rugby history wasn't enough, rugby fans in the capital should have at the very least come out to see a remarkable cancer comeback from Lealiifano.

To not crack 10,000 is not only an inditement on Canberra sports fans, but damning evidence of just how far Australian rugby has fallen.

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