Super Rugby: The Hurricanes beat the Brumbies 29-9 to book their place in the Super Rugby final
Last Updated: 30/06/15 2:23pm
The Hurricanes booked their place in the Super Rugby final with a comfortable 29-9 win over the the Brumbies on Saturday.
Brothers Ardie and Julian Savea scored tries either side of halftime to help propel into their first Super Rugby final since 2006.
Scrum-half TJ Perenara and replacement winger Matt Proctor also scored for the home side, who are still mourning the death of former All Blacks and Hurricanes loose forward Jerry Collins earlier this month following a car crash in France.
Fly-half Christian Lealiifano (two) and fullback Jesse Mogg slotted penalties for the visitors, who could do little to shut down the high-octane attack from the home side.
The Hurricanes defence came under immense pressure in the first five minutes as The Brumbies looked to get off to a flying start. However they could not make the most of their chances and the Hurricanes regrouped and started to do what they have done so well all season.
The pack took control and committed defenders before the backline, sparked by new All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, started to find space out wide.
That relentless pressure eventually told and winger Julian Savea was able to barrel over to open the scoring in the 21st minute before Perenara then finished off another break from Milner-Skudder for his 11th try of the season.
Beauden Barrett converted to give the Hurricanes a 12-0 lead that was cut to 12-3 when Mogg landed his penalty after the halftime hooter had sounded.
Openside flanker Ardie Savea crashed over shortly after the break from a rolling maul to give the home side a 19-3 cushion.
Lealiifano then kicked two penalties to drag the Brumbies back into the game before the Hurricanes seized control of the contest for the final quarter with Proctor scoring their fourth try with seven minutes remaining.
The Hurricanes played with the initials JC embroidered on their jerseys in memory of former teammate Jerry Collins, who was killed in a car crash in France three weeks ago, but captain Conrad Smith said they did not let that dominate their focus.
"We discussed it and said that in itself is not going to win us the game, we've got to keep doing the little things that have got us this far," Smith said.
"There's no doubt it played its part deep down in the ticker but other than that we just focussed on doing our jobs."
