The Brumbies scored a 78th-minute try to seal a season-opening bonus-point 29-23 victory over the Western Force in Canberra on Sunday.

The home side led for most of the match and went into the break 10-9 ahead thanks to a try from wing Andy Muirhead and a penalty on the stroke of half-time from flyhalf Noah Lolesio.

But the Force hit back in the second half through Toni Pulu, before Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a and rookie flank Rory Scott dotted down for the Brumbies.

In a thrilling finish, the Force thought they had scored the winner when Jake McIntyre sliced through the defence in the 76th minute, only for the Brumbies to respond when Tom Wright put replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan over the tryline two minutes later for the win.

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