Brumbies join New Zealand heavyweights in Super Rugby semis
CANBERRA - A gutsy ACT Brumbies ensured Australia's presence in the Super Rugby semi-finals with a 35-28 takedown of the in-form Wellington Hurricanes, joining New Zealand heavyweights Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders.
The 'Canes arrived in frigid Canberra unbeaten in six games, but after a fast start they were bossed by the Brumbies' front-rowers who bagged four of their five tries.
Their reward is a semi-final next week in Hamilton against the Chiefs, who suffered a last-gasp 20-19 defeat to the defending champion Blues.
Despite losing, the Chiefs still advanced to the semis, and kept home advantage, as the highest-seeded loser under a revamped play-off system.
The Blues travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders, who opened the elimination round with a 32-12 win over the Queensland Reds on Friday.
"It felt good to earn ourselves another week," said Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, who crossed for a try.
"We knew it was probably going to take everything we had. I thought it was a much-improved effort from last time we played them."
A fifth-minute try from fullback Ruben Love after a free-flowing move set the 'Canes on their way, but the Brumbies quickly struck back when hooker Billy Pollard finished off a patient trademark rolling maul.
They exchanged converted tries again before Pollard put the home side in front for the first time on the cusp of half-time, again crashing over after a rolling maul for a 21-14 advantage.
The hosts extended their lead six minutes after the break when Tom Wright combined with Wallabies teammate Rob Valetini to slice open the defence.
A determined Hurricanes kept bouncing back, but a further converted Brumbies try from veteran prop James Slipper ultimately sealed the win.
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