The Queensland Reds are Australia’s lone Super Rugby Pacific title hope after the ACT Brumbies were embarrassed by the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.
A season that had started so promisingly at 3-0 ended in disaster as the ladder-leading Hurricanes continued to shatter records in a 66-12 qualifying final win.
The Brumbies look dejected at Hnry Stadium. Hagen Hopkins
It was sweet revenge for the Hurricanes, who had been knocked out of the finals by the Brumbies in Canberra in three of the last four seasons.
“It was personal for us this week,” Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard said.
Roigard scored two of his side’s nine tries while No.10 Ruben Love nailed all 10 of his shots at goal despite nasty winter conditions at Hnry Stadium.
Buy-of-the-season Warner Dearns also grabbed a brace while Ngantungane Punivai came off the bench to score a second half hat-trick.
“These guys aren’t just hot, they’re white hot,” Wallabies legend Michael Hooper said on Stan Sport after Punivai leapt over Corey Toole for his third.
“This is an absolute rout,” Tim Horan added.
The Hurricanes led 36-7 at half time – the most points the Brumbies had ever conceded in the first half of a Super Rugby game.
Cam Roigard of the Hurricanes scores a try at Hnry Stadium. Hagen Hopkins
Home coach Clark Laidlaw had the luxury of emptying his bench early, yet the ruthless Hurricanes continued to flog a dead horse.
It was the biggest ever finals loss by an Australian side, the most points the Brumbies have conceded in a playoffs game and the most points the Hurricanes have ever scored against the storied Canberra club.
Adding to the grim numbers was the sight of Wallabies hopeful Blake Schoupp being helped off the slippery surface with what looked to be a serious leg injury.
Toole and Tane Edmed scored the Brumbies tries.
“It was very impressive from the Hurricanes,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“By halftime, the game was over. Too many fundamentals of our game were not consistent enough. Set piece wasn’t where it needed to be, our ability to solve to an edge just wasn’t there tonight.
“We couldn’t hold the ball. Our urgency into the breakdown wasn’t consistent enough. Their defence was outstanding, their set piece outstanding, their counterattack, their ability to run off turnover ball, world class.
Blake Schoupp of the Brumbies receives medical help. Hagen Hopkins
“Big bodies into the breakdown, ball carries so we’ve learned a lesson there. It’s been an inconsistent season for us, to say the least.
“We’re terribly disappointed. A great game from the Hurricanes tonight but just not the standard that you would expect from a Brumbies outfit and maybe that’s what you’ve seen all year. But just stick with us, we really appreciate your support.”
The Hurricanes will host a semi-final in Wellington on June 13.
The Reds will try to keep Australia’s hopes alive in the third and final qualifying final in Hamilton on Saturday (coverage from 4.30pm AEST on Stan Sport).
Australian teams are 0-22 in finals games in New Zealand.
“We’ve just got to go there with the confidence and belief that we have put our best foot forward,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“I think we can scare them, that’s for sure.”