Brumbies, Reds finish Trans-Tasman campaign in defeat

The Brumbies are the top Australian side in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition despite going down to the Highlanders 33-12 in Canberra.

Brumbies backrower Robbie Valetini is tackled during the round five Super Rugby Trans-Tasman against the Highlanders at GIO Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

The Brumbies are the top Australian side in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition despite going down to the Highlanders 33-12 at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday night.

After the Queensland Reds lost 43-14 to the Hurricanes in Wellington earlier on Friday night, the Brumbies claimed bragging rights of sorts after suffering an agonising loss in the Super Rugby AU grand final to the Reds in the dying seconds.

The Melbourne Rebels play the Crusaders at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday while the Western Force take on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland and the Waratahs play the Chiefs at Brookvale Oval.

An unlikely win to any of the Australian sides could propel them above the Brumbies and Reds.

The Queenslanders and Brumbies are the only teams to manage a win each against New Zealand opposition in the Trans-Tasman stage of the competition with NZ teams taking out the top five places on the ladder.

The Highlanders’ bonus-point win put them top of the table on 23 points, two ahead of the second-placed Hurricanes, but both teams need results to go their way on Saturday to make the Trans-Tasman final.

The third-placed Blues (19 points) can claim top spot and the right to host the final with victory at home to the Force but the equation is tougher for the fourth-placed Crusaders (18).

The Crusaders need to beat the Rebels by at least three tries to claim a bonus point and have a winning margin of at least 33 points to grab a spot in the final.

The Trans-Tasman campaign ended in despair for the Reds after a pair of controversial yellow cards and a penalty try ended their chances of an upset.

The Reds trailed just 17-14 midway through the second half, having scored a try while winger Filipo Daugunu was in the bin after a controversial off-side call.

The Hurricanes scored again when he returned to extend their lead but it was a penalty try and yellow card handed to fly half Bryce Hegarty for intentionally knocking the ball dead attempting to stop a try that killed Queensland’s chances.

Replays appeared to show Hegarty attempting to ground the ball in-goal before Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape could score but the action was ruled intentional, with the resulting penalty try putting the Canes up by 15 points with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Queensland coach Brad Thorn was disappointed the decision impacted what had been a close game.

“The guys lifted out there – 15 minutes to go 22-14 and I guess the game changed didn’t it,” Thorn said of the penalty try and sin bin decision.

“I feel for the lads, I don’t feel like that score represented what they brought and what they’ve been bringing for the whole season.

“At no time did I think it was a yellow card but that’s what it was … we’ve got to wear it.”

The home side scored twice more to win comfortably and while the visitors had reason to feel aggrieved at some decisions, defensive frailties were their main issue.

The Reds missed a massive 57 tackles throughout the match to finish their Trans-Tasman campaign with just one victory after taking out the domestic title.