Brumbies deny Bulls to seal berth in final
PRETORIA: The Brumbies snatched a dramatic 26-23 Super 15 semi-final victory over the Bulls on Saturday with a try one minute from time.
Flyhalf Matt Toomua sent outside centre Tevita Kuridrani over for a score that needed a stamp of approval from the television match official as the referee queried a possible forward pass.
Amid huge tension in the predominantly Bulls crowd at Loftus Versfeld, TMO Shaun Veldsman gave the green light and inside centre Christian Lealiifano converted for a 16-point haul.
There was still time for the kick-off and a chance for the Bulls to equalise or even regain the lead but they lost possession and the Brumbies booted the ball into touch to end the game.
‘‘I am extremely proud of the team as you cannot underestimate the challenge we faced taking on the Bulls in Pretoria,’’ Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen said.
‘‘We did well during the first half, but knew the Bulls would come back after the break. Fitness was a major factor as we were well prepared to go the distance.’’
Bulls captain Dewald Potgieter was equally proud of his team, some of whom were playing at Loftus for the last time before taking up lucrative contracts in France.
‘‘I could not have asked for any more from the team,’’ he said. ‘‘They gave their all — and after a poor start I believed we had done enough.’’
The Australians had the better of the opening half and led 16-11 at half-time in a match that brought coach Jake White back to his homeland.
But the Bulls roused themselves to give a much better performance after the break and a string of penalties from flyhalf Morne Steyn earned a 23-19 lead 14 minutes from time.
It could have been an even wider margin as Dewald Potgieter three times opted to kick for touch in the hope of scoring tries.
But just when it seemed the decisions would not matter, up popped Kuridrani and the massive vocal support for the home side turned into an eerie silence.
The Brumbies will travel to Hamilton for the final on Saturday against the Chiefs, who edged fellow the Crusaders 20-19 in a cliff-hanger.
Steyn and Lealiifano, the leading Super 15 scorers with 248 and 211 points respectively, claimed 18 and 16 in a semi-final that never matched the intensity of Hamilton hours before.
Lealiifano converted tries by fullback Jesse Mogg and Kuridrani and kicked four penalties while centre JJ Engelbrecht scored the Bulls’ lone try.