Australian Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific hopes are still alive, after the Brumbies edged the Hurricanes 37-33 in a thrilling quarter-final at Canberra last night.
Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea had a winning try disallowed after the final siren, as his side fell agonisingly short of sealing an all-NZ semi-final next weekend, with the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues already progressing.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Hurricanes held a 33-30 lead, after scoring 17 straight points to turn around a halftime deficit, but Brumbies fullback, Tom Wright, broke the hearts of the Canes with a try in the 70th minute.
Savea tried to inspire his team to one more decisive try and twice went close himself. The second and final time, he was over the line, but referee Nic Berry and his officiating team ruled a hand under the ball, much to Savea's despair.
The Brumbies will now face the Chiefs at Hamilton next Saturday, while the Crusaders and Blues stage a rematch of last year's finalists at Christchurch on Friday.
Looking at other results, the Chiefs beat the Reds 29-20 and the Crusaders thrashed the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua 49-8.
[Source: newshub.co.nz]
