They were gallant in defeat these Queensland Reds, but their six-year wait for a win in Canberra goes on after falling to the Brumbies in Saturday's Super Rugby AU decider.
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After a slow start the Reds managed to gain a foothold late in the first half, and a controversial television match official awarded try to lock Angus Blyth 15 minutes from the end set up a grandstand finish.
But Queensland didn't quite have enough in the tank to steal an upset victory.
They lost Lukhan Salakaia-Loto early in the second half to a head injury, and Filipo Daugunu copped a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Lachie McCaffrey.
As the Brumbies threatened to run away with it, but Queensland refused to lie down.
After crushing the Brumbies in Brisbane two weeks ago, then winning their way into the decider against Melbourne last weekend, this trip to the nation's capital proved a bridge too far for Brad Thorn's men.
"We came down here to get a job done, we came close, but didn't get there," Thorn said.
"Credit to the Brumbies, they got that result and that's fantastic for them and for their home crowd.
"Proud of everyone involved with Queensland Rugby with the team, staff. We started November and here we are now. Basically about 10 months and a lot of people put in a lot of effort.
"It was pretty close down to 22 [metres[ out, four minutes to go, there was five minutes in it. There was quite a bit of stop-start throughout the game, there were infringements, we probably hurt ourselves a bit.
"The guys competed hard, the score got out to maybe around 14 points or something. The guys showed what they've showed all the way along which was their ticker, resilience and determination to get back into the game."
Not only did Thorn have to prepare his side for a grand final, he had to navigate a logistical nightmare brought on by COVID-19 protocols, without which this unique Super Rugby season would not have been allowed to restart.
It meant flying into Canberra airport, then catching a bus to the ground. As per Canberra Stadium policy in these crazy, COVID times, the Reds were required to enter on the eastern side of the ground.
From there they jumped on another bus, inside the stadium precinct, and were finally shifted to the western side of the ground and then down into their thoroughly disinfected changerooms.
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When they ran onto the field it was to a wall of silence. Just about all of the 6000 lucky fans attending the match were there for the Brumbies.
After their lengthy game-day travel, the Reds spent large periods of their time in Canberra camped in the Brumbies' half. but they never wilted.
Harry Wilson's try half an hour in gave Thorn's men a foothold in the match, then a superb defensive stand preceded a James O'Connor penalty goal right on half-time which reduced the margin to two points.
It was as close as they came.
After the match they were back on the bus, back to the airport and forced to lick their wounds on a lonely flight home. But that next win in the capital might not be too far off - watch out for the Reds next year.
Brad Thorn
Obviously disappointed we came down here to get a job done. We came close, but didn't get there. Credit to the Brumbies, they got that result and that's fantastic for them and for their home crowd.
Proud of everyone involved with Queensland Rugby with the team, staff. We started November and here we are now. Basically about 10 months and a lot of people put in a lot of effort.
It was pretty close down to 22 [metres[ out, four minutes to go, there was five minuted in it. There was quite a bit of stop start throughout the game, there were infringements, we probably hurt ourselves a bit. The guys competed hard, the score got out to maybe around 14 points or something. The guys showed what they've showed all the way along which was their ticker, resilience and determination to get back into the game.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
