The Brumbies have beaten a gallant Sharks outfit 24-22 in their round five Super 14 clash at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
It was a seesawing battle, Sharks' sharp-shooting flyhalf Andy Goode nearly got his side over the line converting all six shots on goal, but his opposite Matt Giteau won the match with a pressure penalty late in the game and his side held on.
The lead changed seven times – six times in a thrilling second half – and Brumbies prop Ben Alexander proved the unlikely try scoring hero with his first Super 14 double.
It was the Sharks who started the better and came close to scoring early when scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar charged down a kick in the Brumbies goal area and nearly regathered the ball which went just over the dead ball line.
Flyhalf Andy Goode then stepped up and slotted a penalty from half way and another infringement at the breakdown minutes later cost the Brumbies as Goode doubled the lead to 6-0.
That sparked the Brumbies into life, Adam Ashley-Cooper got them into attack territory with a great chase of his own kick and Lealiifano followed it up with a slashing run and they had repeated sets at the Sharks' line.
The pressure led to two offside penalties against the Sharks and Giteau stepped up and slotted them both to level the scores.
After getting back into their attacking half through Rocky Elsom's handiwork, the Brumbies finally penetrated the Sharks defence with Ben Alexander picking the ball off the back of the ruck and diving over.
The Sharks hit back minutes later, Pienaar picking a loose ball up ten metres out and running unimpeded to put it down out wide. Goode made no mistake with the conversion to again bring scores level.
As the siren sounded Goode nailed another penalty to put his team up by three heading into the break.
The second half started slowly as a kicking duel but the Brumbies worked forward deep into Sharks territory with a scrum five metres out.
Sharks captain John Smit was penalised in the scrum but the Brumbies opted against the kicking for goal and it paid off.
After repeated pick and goes it was again Ben Alexander who broke through to score and pick up a rare double in the process. Giteau's conversion attempt hit the post to leave his side up 18-16.
Darting runs from Ryan Kankowski and Odwa Ndungane had the Sharks fighting back, but they lost Ndungane to injury.
After the Brumbies were penalised at the breakdown for the third time, sharp-shooting Goode stepped up for a vital penalty, putting his side up by 19-18 minutes later.
Giteau regained the lead with a penalty of his own with 20 minutes to go but Goode was gifted one right in front moments later after Alexander was penalised for a shoulder charge. He made no mistake as the Sharks led 22-21.
The Brumbies came metres from scoring with 14 minutes to go, with an overlap Stephen Hoiles tried to fire off a quick pass to Adam Ashley-Cooper through to the line put it slipped forward.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, the Sharks were penalised Giteau stepped up and coolly converted a penalty to take the lead.
With two minutes to the Sharks worked forward with repeated sets. As the worked for the overlap down the right wing Brumbies winger Pat