Hurricanes despair at loss to Brumbies
- Dave Worsley
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Heartache for the Hurricanes as they miss out on the Super Rugby semifinals losing to the ACT Brumbies 35-28 in the playoffs at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
The home sides forward pack led by hooker Billy Pollard scoring a double were on fire for most of the match, but now they need to make history by beating the ladder-topping Chiefs in Hamilton next weekend to avoid a fourth straight semi exit against a New Zealand franchise.
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No Australian side has won a knock-out game in New Zealand in the almost 30-year history of the competition.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring through fullback Ruben Love. But then the Brumbies resorted ao maul from a lineout in opposition territory slowly but surely rolled over the tryline, with Pollard the man to dot down through a sea of bodies.
Fatafehi Fineanganofo hit back for the visitors before Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa burrowed over after a succession of pick-and-drives on the Hurricanes' line.
With three minutes left in the first half, the Brumbies opted not to take a penalty goal from right in front, instead chancing their arms again with another lineout.
Their gamble paid off with Pollard managing to break off the blindside and dive onto the tryline to give the Brumbies a seven-point lead at the break.
The sides traded seven-pointers in the second half, with a try to Brumbies fullback Tom Wright cancelled out by one from Bailyn Sullivan.
Veteran Brumbies prop James Slipper scored with another pick-and-drive before Hurricanes substitute Pasilio Tosi narrowed the gap to one try to ramp up the tension in the dying minutes.
The Hurricanes burst into the Brumbies half through a Callum Harkin linebreak in the final minute but Luke Reimer stepped up for the home side to steal the ball and settle the victory.
The fourth-placed Hurricanes who reached the end of the road in their season.
Brumbies 35 (Billy Pollard 2 tries, Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Wright, James Slipper tries; Noah Lolesio 5 con) Hurricanes 28 (Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Bailyn Sullivan, Pasilio Tosi tries; Love 4 con). HT: 21-14
