WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) 鈥� Another Australian washout in the first round of playoffs has thrown up two all-New Zealand semifinals next weekend.
Washout literally. The ACT Brumbies were flushed out of the playoffs when they lost 66-12 to the Hurricanes in a downpour in Wellington, prompting Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham to apologize to fans for his team鈥檚 performance.
The Queensland Reds lost 46-24 to the Chiefs in a tighter match but in similar torrential rain conditions in Hamilton. No Australian team has ever won a playoff match in New Zealand.
The Crusaders beat the Auckland-based Blues 52-31 in a Kiwi derby to stretch their unbeaten record in home playoffs in Christchurch to 33 matches.
As a result, the Chiefs will play the Crusaders in Hamilton on Friday and the Hurricanes will play the Blues in Wellington on Saturday, as the Blues received a second chance as the highest-ranked quarterfinal loser.
Hurricane warning
It began Friday on a rainy, wind-swept night in Wellington where the Hurricanes, in marginal conditions, ran in nine tries against a team which has beaten them in their last three playoffs meetings.
The warning was signaled early. The Brumbies caught Hurricanes fullback Callum Harkin in defense and forced him back over his own goal line, anticipating a scoring opportunity from a five meter scrum.
Instead, the Hurricanes promoted the ball back into the field of play and, seconds later, scored the first try of the match. Another followed quickly and by halftime the Hurricanes led 38-7, the most points the Brumbies have conceded in the first half of any match.
The Brumbies鈥� defense was wafer-thin and, with scrumhalf Cam Roigard darting around the fringe and flyhalf Ruben Love, running the ball at the line and distributing, the Hurricanes were able to puncture it again and again, for its biggest-ever win over the Brumbies.
鈥淚t鈥檚 embarrassing. It was frustrating and disappointing and all the adjectives you would like to use,鈥� Larkham said. 鈥淚t seemed like the harder we tried the worse things got out there.
鈥淔or our fans back in Australia, we appreciate your support 鈥� particularly the ones who follow us no matter what. We had an up and down season and you rode it with us. We managed to get through to the finals and there was probably some hope there, but we鈥檝e let you down and we鈥檙e sorry for that.鈥�
Crusade continues
The defending champion Crusaders also have had an up and down season, losing six of 15 matches. But they come into their own in the playoffs, especially at home and more so at their new home stadium which has been full to capacity for every match since it opened to host this season鈥檚 Super Round.
The Crusaders鈥� front five was superb as were veterans David Havili in midfield and Johnny McNicholl at fullback who scored three tries and defended and kicked well.
The Blues qualified for the playoffs with an 8-7 record but have flattered to deceive all season. They have been limited and predictable and they paid again on Saturday for indiscipline. Blues backrower Malachi Wrampling was shown a yellow card in the first half for a high tackle on Leicester Fainga鈥檃nuku and the yellow later was upgraded to a red.
The Blues managed to level the score at 14-14 while still a man down but the Crusaders rushed to a 33-14 lead by halftime. They scored eight tries in all.
If the Blues were downcast, they were smiling when the Chiefs beat the Reds to send them through to the playoffs as lucky loser.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a weird one, eh?鈥� Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said. 鈥淚n terms of the comp., I don鈥檛 know any other comp. that has a second life for a losing team. It鈥檚 weird but if it鈥檚 another chance we鈥檒l certainly take it.鈥�
Chief Concern
The match between the Chiefs and Reds was the closest of the quarterfinals, swung the Chiefs way by flyhalf Damian McKenzie who scored two tries among 26 points.
The Chiefs have a major concern for the semifinals after losing All Blacks backrower Wallace Sititi to a head knock. The match was suspended for some time around the 18th minute after Sititi was injured first in a collision with Reds backrower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, exacerbated accidentally by one of his own players.
The Chiefs posted on social media Sunday that Sititi 鈥渨anted to let you all know he is at home and feeling good, as well as sending his thanks to everyone for their love and support.
鈥淪cans at Waikato Hospital did not reveal any issues and he will be assessed and cared for through the concussion protocols.鈥�
Saturday鈥檚 match was the last with the Reds for head coach who now will understudy in three tests in July before becoming Wallabies head coach.
鈥淢ixed emotions in a lot of ways,鈥� Kiss said. 鈥淚鈥檓 bloody proud of the boys in a number of ways.
鈥淎t halftime, I think we were still confident about what we were doing on the park and we were standing up to the things we said we鈥檇 do. I鈥檓 gutted for the boys more than anything.鈥�
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