Super Rugby 2015 semi-finals: Coverage of Hurricanes v Brumbies from Westpac Stadium

THE Brumbies’ season is over after losing their Super Rugby semi-final against the pacesetting Hurricanes in Wellington.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 27: Ma'a Nonu breaks through a tackle during the Super Rugby Semi Final match between the Hurricanes and the Brumbies at Westpac Stadium on June 27, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)

BROTHERS Julian and Ardie Savea scored tries as the Hurricanes beat the Brumbies 29-9 Saturday to secure a place in the Super Rugby final for the second time in their history, the first since 2006.

The Hurricanes showed why they finished the regular season as the tournament’s top-ranked team, playing some dazzling rugby on their way to a 19-3 lead just after halftime.

But they also showed why they can be frustrating to follow, blowing several scoring opportunities and allowing the Brumbies to mount a dangerous rally in the second half.

Winger Julian Savea scored the first and flanker Ardie Savea the third of the Hurricanes’ four tries, astride a try by scrumhalf TJ Perenara.

Replacement Matt Proctor added a try in the 74th minute which clinched the win and home advantage in next weekend’s final against the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between the Waratahs and Highlanders.

Ma'a Nonu breaks through a tackle during the Super Rugby semi-final between the Hurricanes and the Brumbies at Westpac Stadium.

“It’s a good feeling,” Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith said.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this and there’s nothing much better than playing in front of this crowd.

“The chance to do it again (in the final next week) I know inspired the boys so bring it on.”

The Hurricanes were the better team in the first half but struggled to turn weight of possession and a series of dangerous line-breaks into points.

They threw everything at the Brumbies’ defense - the best in the tournament during the regular season - but had to wait until the 21st minute until Julian Savea crossed for the opening try.

Dangerous winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, a new All Black this season and the spark plug of the Hurricanes attack, came close to creating the first try after only four minutes when he chased and reclaimed his own kick.

But his infield pass to hooker Dane Coles was dropped in an incident which became emblematic of the Hurricanes’ failure to take advantage of defensive breaches.

Julian Savea scores the first try during the Super Rugby semi-final between the Hurricanes and the Brumbies at Westpac Stadium.

Flyhalf Beauden Barrett hit the post with his first penalty attempt in the sixth minute and the Hurricanes went close again in the eighth minute when centre Ma’a Nonu knocked on with the defense stretched.

Ardie Savea’s long run out of defence in the 11th minute opened up the defence again and he linked with Nonu who surged through the middle of the field until poor handling again saw the move break down.

The Hurricanes finally got their combination working in the 21st minute when, from a series of five metre scrums, they moved the ball to the right flank then the left and Savea dived low through Nic White’s corner-flagging tackle.

Prop Reg Goodes went close to scoring only two minutes later, was held up just short of the lien, but the Hurricanes extended their lead with Perenara’s try in the 29th minute.

On a short-side raid, Milner-Skudder drew three defenders before firing the ball infield to James Marshall, then Perenara.

Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg kicked a late penalty as the Hurricanes took a 12-3 lead to halftime.

They immediately extended that lead after the restart with a try to Ardie Savea from a rolling maul, a very specific insult to the Brumbies who have made rolling mauls a feature of their game this season.

The Hurricanes seemed ready, on a 19-3 lead, to take control of the game but their application briefly wavered and the Brumbies rallied with two penalties to Christian Lealiifano to cut the lead to 19-9 after 56 minutes.

Marshall kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 22-9 and the Hurricanes’ sputtering attacking game finally reignited with Proctor’s late try.

“I think we had to do a hell of a lot of defending in that first half,” Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said.

“I think our effort was excellent but it was a thoroughly deserved win by the Hurricanes. They were excellent tonight and they’ve been great all year.”

Hurricanes 29 (Julian Savea, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Matt Proctor tries; James Marshall 2, Beauden Barrett conversions, Marshall penalty) Brumbies 9 (Christian Lealiifano 2, Jesse Mogg penalties)

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015 semi-finals: Coverage of Hurricanes v Brumbies from Westpac Stadium