Super Rugby 2015, round 18: Coverage of Brumbies v Crusaders from GIO Stadium, Canberra

THE Crusaders have defeated the Brumbies on the back of a spectacular double to Nemani Nadolo as Richie McCaw and Dan Carter bow out in style.

Super Rugby Rd 18 - Brumbies v Crusaders

THE Crusaders have sent out superstar veterans Richie McCaw and Dan Carter out as winners, and sent the Brumbies into a sudden-death elimination final away from home next weekend with a powerful win in Canberra.

And the Brumbies will be sweating on the fitness of star flanker David Pocock, who suffered concussion in the match and was sidelined for the entire second half.

The Brumbies’ failure to earn a bonus point from the final-round match ensured they will finish sixth, and play the Stormers in Cape Town for a spot in the semi-finals.

McCaw and Carter were carried off the Canberra field on the shoulders of their teammates, ending their Super Rugby careers in style.

Richie McCaw of the Crusaders.

McCaw has not confirmed this will be his final season, but is expected to announce that after the World Cup.

“If it does end up being my last one it is great to play alongsidea guy like that [Carter], who has made my life easier over the years,” McCaw said.

“More than likely this will be the last one for me as well, I will decide down the track.”

Henry Speight of the Brumbies is tackled by the Crusaders at GIO Stadium.

Carter said: “It’s good to finish on a win, that was a big motivation factor going into this week.

“It’s been unreal having Richie there my entire career, he leads from the front, leads with his actions.”

A magical try from Nemani Nadolo, one of the best individual tries in Super Rugby, helped the Crusaders to a bonus-point victory.

This is the first time in 14 years the Crusaders have not qualified for the finals and based on their final display, those who have made the playoffs will be relieved.

All Black legends McCaw and Carter, playing for the final time in Crusaders colours, bow out from Super Rugby but impressed enough to ensure they will remain a menace for Australia and friends in the looming international season.

Richie McCaw of the Crusaders is tackled.

A penalty try with eight minutes remaining, earned by McCaw from a rolling maul, gave the Crusaders their fourth try and a 34-24 lead. Carter then slotted a late penalty to seal the four-tries-to-three win.

McCaw, in his 145th Super Rugby match, and Carter in his 141st, each won 100 Super Rugby games and were praised by Crusaders skipper Kieran Read.

“Those guys are living legends, they’ll go down in world rugby let alone Crusaders rugby,” Read said.

The Brumbies will play either the Stormers in Cape Town or the Waratahs in Sydney next weekend.

Matt Todd of the Crusaders is tackled by the Brumbies at GIO Stadium.

Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said: “It looks like we’ll be off to South Africa I’d think, we’ll dust ourselves off.

“It’s good to still be in the competition, we’ll give ourselves a chance next week.”

All three of the Brumbies’ tries came from rolling maul, two to Jarrad Butler and one to Pocock.

The highlight was Nadolo’s try just before half-time.

Nadolo, the 194cm, 125kg Fijian giant who was released by the Waratahs several seasons ago, brushed off Robbie Coleman down the wing and as he went around Henry Speight he put his boot to the ball.

The grubber allowed him to run past covering defender Jesse Mogg and touch down after outpacing Nic White to the ball.

He was equal top try-scorer with Israel Folau last season, and Nadolo backed up his claims to be the most damaging winger in the tournament with nine this year, second to TJ Perenara.

Pocock failed a concussion test late in the first half and will need to show clear signs this week if he is to line up for the playoff match.

The Crusaders led 21-10 at half-time, scoring three tries after Pocock opened the scoring with a trademark five-pointer from behind a rolling maul.

From a second-minute midfield penalty, White punted the ball deep into the corner, allowing the Brumbies to set up from the lineout.

Pocock took the ball at the back and aided by Moore and the rest of the pack, pushed his way to the tryline.

Christian Lealiifano landed the conversion, but the Crusaders hit back minutes later through Nadolo.

Nepo Laulala reacts after the Crusaders score a try to secure the match.

A Read intercept set up the platform, and a quick spread to the left wing saw Nadolo barge over despite the efforts of Coleman and Mogg.

After the teams traded penalty goals, Crusaders flanker Matt Todd blew the chance to score when he lost the ball over the line.

But moments later, in the 29th minute, Todd did cross, diving over from close range following sustained pressure on the Brumbies’ line.

In crossing, Todd became the first forward in Super Rugby history to score a try in five consecutive games.

Brumbies fullback Mogg was sin-binned 90 seconds into the second half after deliberately knocking down a Crusaders pass while they were deep in attack.

Carter slotted a penalty to extend his side’s lead to 24-10, but the Brumbies then fought back.

Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock was sin-binned for collapsing a maul, and replacement flanker Jarrad Butler mimicked Pocock perfectly by scoring a similar rolling maul try in the next play.

Lealiifano’s conversion from wide pulled the home side back to within seven points.

But a 63rd minute penalty from Carter restored the 10-point buffer.

Butler went over again, but the penalty try to the Crusaders dashed any hopes the Brumbies had of claiming top spot of the Australian conference.

CRUSADERS 37 (1 penalty try, Nemani Nadolo 2, Matt Todd tries Daniel Carter con 5 pens) bt BRUMBIES 24 (1 penalty try, Jarrad Butler, David Pocock tries Christian Leali’ifano 3 cons pen) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Jaco Peyper. Crowd: 18,339.

RECAP ALL THE ACTION IN OUR MATCH CENTRE

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015, round 18: Coverage of Brumbies v Crusaders from GIO Stadium, Canberra