Latest news with #ACTBrumbies
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Hurricanes shatter Moana dreams and send Blues into Super Rugby playoffs
Ereatara Enari of the Hurricanes, 2025. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / The Hurricanes shattered Moana Pasifika's dreams of a maiden Super Rugby Pacific playoff campaign with a crushing 64-12 victory on Saturday that sent the defending champion Blues into next week's quarter-finals instead. The Hurricanes cemented fourth place in the final standings and will travel to Canberra next Saturday to play the ACT Brumbies, while the Blues, who earlier beat the New South Wales Waratahs 46-6, will visit the table-topping Chiefs. In the other playoff, the 12-times champion Crusaders will host Queensland Reds, who concluded the regular season on Saturday night with a 52-7 win over Fijian Drua on the back of four first-half tries from winger Lachie Anderson. Moana had hoped to be there too on the back of a breakout season but even redoubtable skipper Ardie Savea was unable to inspire them to the bonus-point victory they needed to edge out the Blues and claim the sixth and last playoff spot. Number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa gave Moana the perfect start at Wellington Stadium with a try after six minutes but Hurricanes were 14-7 up before a quarter of an hour had expired. Hooker Jacob Devery went over on the back of a rolling maul before flanker Devan Flanders showed his footballing skills with a chip and chase for the second try. Savea grabbed a couple of turnovers but it only delayed the inevitable as Hurricanes scrumhalf Cam Roigard went over from an intercept and centre Peter Umaga-Jensen rampaged through the Moana defence to give the home side a 28-7 halftime lead. Umaga-Jensen barged over for his second try 10 minutes after the break before Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Billy Proctor, Ereatara Enari and Tjay Clarke completed the 10-try rout. "Really pleasing, not only that we got the result, but that we played the way we did going into the finals," said Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi. "From next week on, you've got to just start again. Start again and go hard." Savea, who scored a consolation try against his old team in the 65th minute off a catch-and-drive, expressed his pride in what Moana had achieved this year. "We're not satisfied," he said. "Our goal was to win the thing and make top six, but that wasn't meant to be." Blues fullback Corey Evans scores a try, 2025. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Blues earlier ended the slender post-season hopes of the Waratahs by running in seven tries in a bonus-point victory at Eden Park to extend their winning streak over the Sydney-based club to 11 matches. Centre Rieko Ioane scored a hat-trick and winger Mark Tele'a two tries on the back of an attack skilfully marshalled by their fellow All Black Beauden Barrett as the Blues gave the Waratahs a lesson in clinical finishing. "We just wanted to play shackle-free and have some fun and I think we did that tonight," said Ioane, who joined Doug Howlett as the Blues' all time leading try-scorer with 55. "We knew how crucial the bonus point was, and to hold them to no tries was awesome." On Friday, the Chiefs locked up top spot in the standings and home advantage throughout the playoffs with a 41-21 victory over the Highlanders and the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 33-31 to win the shootout for second. -Reuters
1News
2 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Brumbies denied by Crusaders in Canberra battle
The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top-two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final-round clash. While the Chiefs locked down the No. 1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position, with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31. The Crusaders hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over. His try came after referee James Doleman missed a clear knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play, much to the disgust of a vocal Canberra crowd. With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole would put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline. ADVERTISEMENT The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now host the team that finishes fourth — the Hurricanes or Queensland — in the qualifying finals next weekend. By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win their week one final. Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was gutted his team wasn't able to win after clawing their way back into the match. "It's pretty disappointing. We were really in that game. We did really well to get back the lead. I'm lost for words at the moment," said Lolesio, who made a successful return from a serious back injury earlier this month. "It's a tough pill to swallow as we really wanted to win this game. "We're going to have to get over and work into whoever we've got next Saturday." The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches. ADVERTISEMENT But Canberra started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across. The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 after Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute. After some quick hands, Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line. A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders — the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles — wouldn't be denied. Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor lauded his team's defensive effort and calmness. "Good to show a bit of composure there at the back end of that game as it seems to be a common trend for us, leaking points in that second half," the hooker said. "It's always hard fought over here and, last year it was the same, and we were on the short straw of that and managed to sneak a W (win) tonight, so proud of the lads." In another blow for the Brumbies, they could lose centre Len Ikitau, who showed his pace to score in the 16th minute but also limped off with 10 minutes to play.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Brumbies denied by Crusaders in Canberra battle
The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final round clash. While the Chiefs locked down the No.1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31. The visitors hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over. His try came after referee James Doleman missed a clear knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play, much to the disgust of a vocal Canberra crowd. With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole would put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline. The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now to host the team that finishes fourth - the Hurricanes or Queensland - in the qualifying finals next weekend. By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win their week one final. Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was gutted his team wasn't able to win after clawing their way back into the match. "It's pretty disappointing. We were really in that game. We did really well to get back the lead. I'm lost for words at the moment," said Lolesio, who made a successful return from a serious back injury earlier this month. "It's a tough pill to swallow as we really wanted to win this game. "We're going to have to get over and work into whoever we've got next Saturday." The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches. But Canberra started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across. The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 after Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute. After some quick hands, Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line. A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders - the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles - wouldn't be denied. Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor lauded his team's defensive effort and calmness. "Good to show a bit of composure there at the back end of that game as it seems to be a common trend for us, leaking points in that second half," the hooker said. "It's always hard fought over here and, last year it was the same, and we were on the short straw of that and managed to sneak a W (win) tonight, so proud of the lads." In another blow for the Brumbies, they could lose centre Len Ikitau, who showed his pace to score in the 16th minute but also limped off with 10 minutes to play. The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final round clash. While the Chiefs locked down the No.1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31. The visitors hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over. His try came after referee James Doleman missed a clear knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play, much to the disgust of a vocal Canberra crowd. With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole would put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline. The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now to host the team that finishes fourth - the Hurricanes or Queensland - in the qualifying finals next weekend. By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win their week one final. Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was gutted his team wasn't able to win after clawing their way back into the match. "It's pretty disappointing. We were really in that game. We did really well to get back the lead. I'm lost for words at the moment," said Lolesio, who made a successful return from a serious back injury earlier this month. "It's a tough pill to swallow as we really wanted to win this game. "We're going to have to get over and work into whoever we've got next Saturday." The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches. But Canberra started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across. The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 after Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute. After some quick hands, Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line. A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders - the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles - wouldn't be denied. Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor lauded his team's defensive effort and calmness. "Good to show a bit of composure there at the back end of that game as it seems to be a common trend for us, leaking points in that second half," the hooker said. "It's always hard fought over here and, last year it was the same, and we were on the short straw of that and managed to sneak a W (win) tonight, so proud of the lads." In another blow for the Brumbies, they could lose centre Len Ikitau, who showed his pace to score in the 16th minute but also limped off with 10 minutes to play. The ACT Brumbies have seen their Canberra fortress raided by the Crusaders, who snatched a top two spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder in a thrilling final round clash. While the Chiefs locked down the No.1 ranking with a win over the Highlanders earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies and Crusaders met in a battle for second position with the Kiwi outfit victorious, 33-31. The visitors hit the front in the 76th minute with reserve hooker George Bell peeling off a maul to dive over. His try came after referee James Doleman missed a clear knock-on by Sevu Reece in the previous play, much to the disgust of a vocal Canberra crowd. With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole would put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline. The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now to host the team that finishes fourth - the Hurricanes or Queensland - in the qualifying finals next weekend. By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win their week one final. Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio was gutted his team wasn't able to win after clawing their way back into the match. "It's pretty disappointing. We were really in that game. We did really well to get back the lead. I'm lost for words at the moment," said Lolesio, who made a successful return from a serious back injury earlier this month. "It's a tough pill to swallow as we really wanted to win this game. "We're going to have to get over and work into whoever we've got next Saturday." The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches. But Canberra started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across. The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 after Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute. After some quick hands, Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line. A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders - the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles - wouldn't be denied. Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor lauded his team's defensive effort and calmness. "Good to show a bit of composure there at the back end of that game as it seems to be a common trend for us, leaking points in that second half," the hooker said. "It's always hard fought over here and, last year it was the same, and we were on the short straw of that and managed to sneak a W (win) tonight, so proud of the lads." In another blow for the Brumbies, they could lose centre Len Ikitau, who showed his pace to score in the 16th minute but also limped off with 10 minutes to play.
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Chiefs secure Super Rugby top spot, Crusaders win battle for second
SYDNEY :Lock Tupou Vaa'i scored a hat-trick of tries as the Waikato Chiefs locked up top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings and home advantage throughout the playoffs with a 41-21 victory over the Otago Highlanders on Friday. The second-placed Canterbury Crusaders later closed out their regular season by edging the third-placed ACT Brumbies 33-31 in a Canberra thriller to ensure New Zealand teams would own the top two in the standings for a fourth straight year. The Chiefs, runners-up for the last two seasons, thrashed Moana Pasifika 85-7 last weekend and looked like running rampant again at Dunedin Stadium when they scored three tries, two from Vaa'i, in the first 13 minutes. The young Highlanders side gradually worked their way back into the contest, however, and co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai both scored tries to cut the deficit to 19-14 at halftime. Scrumhalf Xavier Roe raced away down the blindside to give the Chiefs the perfect start to the second half and replacement back Manasa Mataele gave them a 31-17 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Highlanders would not lie down. Sam Gilbert ran onto a clever Tanielu Tele'a kick to score a try in his final appearance for the Highlanders seven minutes from time and they would have got closer had Cortez Ratima not come up with a brilliant try-saving cover tackle. All Black Vaa'i was not done yet, however, and he pounced on a loose ball from a goal-line drop out in the final minute to condemn the Highlanders to the wooden spoon for the first time since the second season of Super Rugby in 1997. "Although the game wasn't perfect, we got the win," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson. "We got the four points, and we're at the top, and we can change our focus to what's in front of us in the quarter-final next week now." The Brumbies also got off to a flying start when prop Feao Fotuaika went over in the second minute but the Crusaders, clinical every time they neared the try line, were soon in front after Christian Lio-Willie and Ethan Blackadder crossed. The hosts hit back with a fine backline try from centre Len Ikitau but the Crusaders were happy to take the points however they came and another close-range effort from Rivez Reihana as well as a Sevu Reece drop goal put them 25-14 up at the break. Flyhalf Reihana kicked a penalty to extend the lead in the 47th minute but replacement prop Rhys van Nek ground over and winger Andy Muirhead finished off a flowing move to lock up the scores at 28-28 with 24 minutes to play. Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio slotted a three-pointer in the 72nd minute but Crusaders replacement hooker George Bell crashed over the line from a rolling maul five minutes later for the match-winning try. "Good to show a bit of composure there at the back end of that game," said Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor. "Seems to be a common trend for us leaking points in that second half but hey, it's always hard fought over here."
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Not satisfied': Brumbies ace eyes elusive Super crown
ACT Brumbies speedster Corey Toole is putting club before country as he eyes Super Rugby Pacific glory and, hopefully, a Wallabies jersey. Toole has resisted the temptation to chase overseas riches to remain in Canberra until the end of 2026, firmly believing the Brumbies can snap a title drought that now stretches more than two decades. "There's a lot of world-class coaches and players here, so much experience," he said after signing a one-year contract extension on Thursday. "Both a lot of international caps and Brumbies caps, so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can off the coaches and also the players. "There's a lot of things to work on, but that excites me. I'm really happy to be staying for another year." Arguably the fastest man in Australian rugby, the former national sevens star has been instrumental in helping the Brumbies to top of the table and a guaranteed home final in three weeks. The 25-year-old Wagga Wagga product is sitting second on the season's leading try-scorers' list with nine pointers, at an average of almost one a game this campaign. But while ACT coach Stephen Larkham has lobbied hard for Toole to receive a Test call-up for the looming series against the touring British and Irish Lions, the winger reckons Wallabies selection will take care of itself if the Brumbies keep delivering. "There's a lot of talk around the Wallabies about this time of the year, but I don't want to spend too much time focusing on that," he said. "Use my energy and just focus on the Brumbies this year and then play good footy and not look too far into the future. "We're in a good spot now and if we can perform well in finals, a lot of Brumbies will be picked in the Wallabies. "So that's my main focus." The Brumbies have lost a final, in 2013 to the Chiefs, and six semi-finals in the past 11 years since Larkham's champion 2004 team lifted the trophy. Toole says the class of 2025 won't rest until they get their hands on the silverware. "I think this is our best year yet and hopefully we can go deep into the finals and just keep building year after year and try to win a championship," he said ahead of this weekend's bye before a last-round home clash with the Crusaders. "We've made three semi-finals year after year so that's a positive sign, but we're still not satisfied with that. "We want to go one further." ACT Brumbies speedster Corey Toole is putting club before country as he eyes Super Rugby Pacific glory and, hopefully, a Wallabies jersey. Toole has resisted the temptation to chase overseas riches to remain in Canberra until the end of 2026, firmly believing the Brumbies can snap a title drought that now stretches more than two decades. "There's a lot of world-class coaches and players here, so much experience," he said after signing a one-year contract extension on Thursday. "Both a lot of international caps and Brumbies caps, so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can off the coaches and also the players. "There's a lot of things to work on, but that excites me. I'm really happy to be staying for another year." Arguably the fastest man in Australian rugby, the former national sevens star has been instrumental in helping the Brumbies to top of the table and a guaranteed home final in three weeks. The 25-year-old Wagga Wagga product is sitting second on the season's leading try-scorers' list with nine pointers, at an average of almost one a game this campaign. But while ACT coach Stephen Larkham has lobbied hard for Toole to receive a Test call-up for the looming series against the touring British and Irish Lions, the winger reckons Wallabies selection will take care of itself if the Brumbies keep delivering. "There's a lot of talk around the Wallabies about this time of the year, but I don't want to spend too much time focusing on that," he said. "Use my energy and just focus on the Brumbies this year and then play good footy and not look too far into the future. "We're in a good spot now and if we can perform well in finals, a lot of Brumbies will be picked in the Wallabies. "So that's my main focus." The Brumbies have lost a final, in 2013 to the Chiefs, and six semi-finals in the past 11 years since Larkham's champion 2004 team lifted the trophy. Toole says the class of 2025 won't rest until they get their hands on the silverware. "I think this is our best year yet and hopefully we can go deep into the finals and just keep building year after year and try to win a championship," he said ahead of this weekend's bye before a last-round home clash with the Crusaders. "We've made three semi-finals year after year so that's a positive sign, but we're still not satisfied with that. "We want to go one further." ACT Brumbies speedster Corey Toole is putting club before country as he eyes Super Rugby Pacific glory and, hopefully, a Wallabies jersey. Toole has resisted the temptation to chase overseas riches to remain in Canberra until the end of 2026, firmly believing the Brumbies can snap a title drought that now stretches more than two decades. "There's a lot of world-class coaches and players here, so much experience," he said after signing a one-year contract extension on Thursday. "Both a lot of international caps and Brumbies caps, so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can off the coaches and also the players. "There's a lot of things to work on, but that excites me. I'm really happy to be staying for another year." Arguably the fastest man in Australian rugby, the former national sevens star has been instrumental in helping the Brumbies to top of the table and a guaranteed home final in three weeks. The 25-year-old Wagga Wagga product is sitting second on the season's leading try-scorers' list with nine pointers, at an average of almost one a game this campaign. But while ACT coach Stephen Larkham has lobbied hard for Toole to receive a Test call-up for the looming series against the touring British and Irish Lions, the winger reckons Wallabies selection will take care of itself if the Brumbies keep delivering. "There's a lot of talk around the Wallabies about this time of the year, but I don't want to spend too much time focusing on that," he said. "Use my energy and just focus on the Brumbies this year and then play good footy and not look too far into the future. "We're in a good spot now and if we can perform well in finals, a lot of Brumbies will be picked in the Wallabies. "So that's my main focus." The Brumbies have lost a final, in 2013 to the Chiefs, and six semi-finals in the past 11 years since Larkham's champion 2004 team lifted the trophy. Toole says the class of 2025 won't rest until they get their hands on the silverware. "I think this is our best year yet and hopefully we can go deep into the finals and just keep building year after year and try to win a championship," he said ahead of this weekend's bye before a last-round home clash with the Crusaders. "We've made three semi-finals year after year so that's a positive sign, but we're still not satisfied with that. "We want to go one further."
