Hurricanes to play Chiefs, Blues to face Brumbies in Super Rugby semifinals

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The top-seeded Hurricanes will play the fourth-seeded Chiefs in next weekend’s semifinals of Super Rugby Pacific, and the second-seeded Blues will play the third-seeded Brumbies.

The Wellington-based Hurricanes beat the Melbourne Rebels 47-20 on Saturday and will have home advantage against the Chiefs, who beat the Queensland Reds 43-21 in the first quarterfinal on Friday.

The Auckland-based Blues beat the Fijian Drua 36-5 and will host the ACT Brumbies, who beat the Dunedin-based Highlanders 32-16 to keep alive Australian interest in the finals.

The Hurricanes' win ended the Rebels 14-year involvement in Super Rugby which they joined in 2011. Rugby Australia has decided not to renew their participation license due to financial difficulties, leaving Australia with four teams in an 11-team competition from next season.

“I want to acknowledge the Rebels as a franchise,” Hurricanes captain Jordie Barrett said after the match at Wellington, New Zealand. “Since joining Super Rugby they’re always been a joy to play against, players, staff and fans. We wish all their coaches and players all the best in whichever direction they go.”

The eighth-seeded Rebels were playing in the quarterfinals for the first time and put up a brave fight in their last match.

The Hurricanes led 35-6 after 57 minutes. But the Rebels still were determined to go down fighting and scored twice in as many minutes through winger Lachie Anderson, making the score 35-20.

The Hurricanes clinched the match with a late tries to Du’Plessis Kirifi and Kini Naholo. Brett Cameron converted and finished with six goals from seven attempts.

“We got disrupted a little bit in the first half but we were under no illusion than the challenge was going to come from the Rebels this week,” Hurricanes captain Jordie Barrett said.

“They’re an emotional side, they had a lot to play for and were always going to be up for it in that first 20 or 30 minutes. It was just pleasing we managed to wrestle back a bit of momentum after halftime and got into the games.

The Hurricanes took 25 minutes to score their first points of the match, a try to prop Pasilio Tosi, which was longer than in any other match this season. They previously have always scored in the first 10 minutes.

They were frustrated Saturday by tenacious defense from the Rebels who twice held up the Hurricanes over the goalline, preventing tries to Xavier Numia and Brandon Iose.

“At the start of the year we talked about being the greatest Rebels team ever,” captain Rob Leota said. “To make the finals was great. Obviously losing, we’re not happy with that. We had high hopes to go further.

“I’m proud of the team, all our coaches and staff back home and all the coaches and supporters in Melbourne. Hopefully we can come back in the next couple of years.”

The Blues used their strong set piece to dominate possession and territory in the first half against the Drua, scoring tries through backrower Dalton Papali'i, scrumhalf Finlay Christie and winger Caleb Clarke. They led 22-0 at halftime.

But the Drua got their hands on the ball more often at the start of the second half and scored a brilliant try through winger Selestino Ravutaumada, who dashed from halfway and finished with a flamboyant dive.

The Blues couldn't add to their lead until the 64th minute when replacement hooker Kurt Eklund scored their fourth try. Clarke then scored his second to seal the match.

“You knew what you were going to get from the Drua, that's fast-paced footy and they certainly showed that tonight,” Papali'i said. “I don't think the scoreboard reflects how tough a game that was.”

The Blues lost captain Patrick Tuipulotu in the first half to what seemed a serious knee injury.

The Highlanders led 16-10 moments before halftime but hooker Billy Pollard scored with the last play of the first half to give the Brumbies a 17-16 lead at the break. He scored again at the start of the second half to make the lead 22-16.

A try to Andy Muirhead and penalty to Noah Lolesio sealed the match for the Brumbies, who kept the Highlanders scoreless in the second half.

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