appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Agence France-Presse

Defending champions Highlanders survived a tense finish to eliminate the ACT Brumbies 15-9 and qualify for the Super Rugby semi-finals in Canberra on Friday.
The New Zealanders defended grimly in the final stages as the Australian conference champions went after a converted try that would have given them victory on a wet wintry night in the national capital.
The Dunedin-based visitors scored two tries with fly-half Lima Sopoaga landing a conversion and a penalty to steer his team into next week’s semi-finals.
The Highlanders, who have played in South Africa, Argentina and Australia this month to keep their title bid alive, were the better side for the most part to win their first game in Canberra for 10 years.

Winger Waisake Naholo and number eight Liam Squire scored tries in either half with the Brumbies keeping within reach, but unable to get the clinching try in a desperate finish.
The Brumbies thought they had scored the clinching try by replacement Lausii Taliauli five minutes from time, but the video referee could not adjudicate on a clear grounding of the ball.
The Highlanders’ win continued a dominant Super Rugby season for New Zealand teams over their Australian opposition, winning 22 of their 26 encounters.


“We dug in over the last 15 minutes and showed good character,” said Highlanders captain Shane Christie.
“It was always going to be difficult coming over here but we’re stoked and we’re in the semi-finals now and we look forward to the week ahead.”
It was a despondent Brumbies camp, bowing out of the finals race and saying goodbye to three of their star Wallabies, skipper Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua and David Pocock, who will all be heading elsewhere next season.

“It’s difficult not to comment on some of those refereeing decisions,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“For mine Lausii scored a try near the end and we had a dominant scrum all night and the ball has come out sideways in the final minutes and I cannot see how there is no penalty for that.
“It’s really devastating because it’s tough conditions tonight and we were behind on the scoreboard but we found a way back into the game and we did everything right to win it.”


If it ain’t broke ... Super Rugby unchanged for 2017 but future tweaks and expansion possible

Thrown to the wolves? Former All Black Filo Tiatia named coach of Japan’s Super Rugby side

All Blacks beware: Warren Gatland to coach British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in 2017

For all those ex-Hurricanes: Dane Coles leads franchise to maiden Super Rugby crown

Super Rugby 2016

Defending Super Rugby champions Highlanders hang on to deny Brumbies a spot in the semi-finals

The Highlanders celebrate their win over the Brumbies on Firday. Photos: EPA

epa05436323 A dejected Stephen Moore (centre) of the Brumbies after their loss to the Highlanders during the quarter final Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and the Highlanders at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Friday, July 22, 2016. EPA/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05436342 Lausii Taliauli (L) of the Brumbies pushes towards the try line only to have his try denied by the referee during the quarter final Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and the Highlanders at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Friday, July 22, 2016. EPA/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

The Highlanders celebrate their win over the Brumbies on Friday. Photos: EPA

New Zealand teams target clean sweep of Super Rugby quarter-finals

Jaguares lock Javier Ortega Desio (right) fends off Highlanders lock Mark Reddish as he is tackled by centre Rob Thompson. Photo: AFP

epa05402910 Stormers coach Robbie Fleck (C) watches his side warm up, during the Round 15 Super Rugby match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Stormers at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia, 02 July 2016. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05385938 Warren Whiteley of South Africa during a training session at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth on 23 June 2016, ahead of their upcoming Test Series rugby match against Ireland. EPA/Gavin Barker

epa05416688 Israel Folau (C) of the Waratahs pushes through the Hurricanes defence to cross and score during the Round 16 Super Rugby match between the NSW Waratahs and the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 09 July 2016. EPA/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Sport

Rugby

Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire score tries as Kiwi side survive tense finish to win 15-9 in Canberra in the first quarter-final


Defending champions Highlanders survived a tense finish to eliminate the ACT Brumbies 15-9 and qualify for the Super Rugby semi-finals in Canberra on Friday.


Defending Super Rugby champions Highlanders hang on to deny Brumbies a spot in the semi-finals

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire score tries as Kiwi side survive tense finish to win 15-9 in Canberra in the first quarter-final

Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire score tries as Kiwi side survive tense finish to win 15-9 in Canberra in the first quarter-final