Stormers v Brumbies: Aussie side’s Super Rugby finals hopes hanging by a thread after 25-24 loss

THE Brumbies’ Super Rugby finals hopes are hanging by a thread after suffering a heartbreaking narrow loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 09: David Pocock of the Brumbies react to the referees call during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Brumbies at DHL Newlands Stadium on May 09, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

THE Brumbies’ Super Rugby finals hopes are hanging by a thread after suffering a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

A missed conversion by Christian Lealiifano to a late David Pocock try proved the difference in a fiery, derby-like match early on Sunday morning (AEST).

The Canberra-based franchise led 16-3 two minutes before the half-time break but couldn’t hold on, conceding 19 unanswered points on the back of a string of penalties.

Pocock’s effort in the 70th minute reduced the gap to a single point, only for Lealiifano to clip the post in what was a relatively simple kick.

David Pocock of the Brumbies reacts at full time.

“I knew it was going to be tough here, but I’m proud of the effort,” said skipper Stephen Moore.

“We’ve had a lot of close losses this year and we’re certainly very disappointed.” The Brumbies, desperate for a win to keep their premiership bid alive, tried to get under the skin of their South African rivals with plenty of niggle.

But it was a costly tactic by the visitors, who gave away a total of 17 penalties - five of which the Stormers’ Demetri Catrakilis converted into points.

“I guess we were competing hard at the breakdown and that’s the way it goes sometimes,” said Moore.

“But certainly we probably gave away far too many penalties and that let them back into the game.” The Stormers had struggled in the first half, a slew of handling errors and a strong Brumbies’ defence preventing them from making much ground.

A converted Joe Tomane try in the 17th minute was all that separated the two sides at the break, with each kicking three penalties - including a 52m screamer by Jesse Mogg.

Two penalties within the first 10 minutes of the second half and a yellow card to Jorden Smiler for a dangerous flip tackle saw momentum swing the way of the Stormers, whose persistent pressure eventually paid off on the hour mark through a Schalk Burger try. Up 22-16, it was the first time the home side had led the match, with Catrakilis sealing the victory with a field goal in the 66th minute.

Burger said it was clearly a game of two halves.

“For starters, it was pretty much Test-match intensity out there,” the man-of-the-match said.

“If you look at the niggle it was more like a local derby than it was the Stormers playing the Brumbies.”

LIONS EDGE HIGHLANDERS AFTER EPIC COMEBACK

In the other game from South Africa, a thrilling second-half comeback gave the Lions a 28-23 triumph over the Highlanders in Johannesburg and kept alive dreams of a maiden Super Rugby play-offs place.

Trailing 20-3 by half-time at Ellis Park, the Lions ran in three tries after the break while restricting the New Zealanders to a drop goal.

Victory lifted the Johannesburg outfit three places in championship standings to seventh and the visitors remained fifth. The top-six finishers after the 16-match season qualify for the knockout stages.

After being outscored two tries to nil during the opening half by the opportunist, clinical Highlanders, the Lions triumphed thanks to excellent ball retention, timely substitutions and tenacious defending.

It was the sixth victory in seven matches for the South Africans, who were written off as likely strugglers when the season began.

Elton Jantjies of the Lions attacks against the Highlanders.

Defeat spoilt an impressive recent record by the Highlanders against South African opposition, having scored 87 points in home victories over the Western Stormers and Coastal Sharks.

Winger Courtnall Skosan, flanker Jaco Kriel and centre Harold Vorster scored a try each for the Lions on a cool, clear autumn evening in the South African economic capital.

Fly-half Elton Jantjies kicked two conversions and two penalties after replacing Marnitz Boshoff, who slotted a first-half penalty. Flanker Gareth Evans and centre Malakai Fekitoa crossed for the Highlanders during an impressive first-half showing.

Fly-half Lima Sopoaga kicked two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal and fullback Ben Smith also slotted a drop goal.

Originally published as Stormers v Brumbies: Aussie side’s Super Rugby finals hopes hanging by a thread after 25-24 loss