The Brumbies held off the fast-finishing Reds to win a pulsating Super Rugby AU final, 28-23, at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
First-half tries to Folau Fainga’a and Andy Muirhead saw the hosts race out to a 15-3 advantage.
The Reds fought back when superstar Jordan Petaia set up Harry Wilson before James O’Connor slotted a late penalty goal to cut the deficit to two points at the interval.
Petaia failed to return for the second half due to a groin injury and the visitors also lost Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to injury and Filipo Daugunu to a yellow card for a lifting tackle at the resumption.
The Brumbies also inflicted more pain on the scoreboard when rising star Noah Lolesio set up a try and nailed a drop goal to give the home side breathing space.
But the Reds kept coming and closed to within five points when Angus Blyth crossed 16 minutes from full-time.
Veteran O’Connor effectively dropped the Super Rugby AU title four minutes from the final siren when he grassed a regulation pass to bomb what looked the match-winning try.
There were more nervous moments but the Brumbies survived a tense finish to lift their first trophy since 2004.