CANBERRA: Australia’s ACT Brumbies survived a last-gasp conversion attempt to cling on for a tense 15-13 win over South Africa’s Central Cheetahs to reach the Super Rugby semi-finals yesterday.
The two-time winners will now travel to South Africa to take on Northern Bulls next Saturday, while holders Waikato Chiefs host the Canterbury Crusaders.
The Cheetahs came desperately close to taking the Canberra playoff into extra time when substitute winger Rayno Benjamin crossed in the left corner, giving fly-half Riaan Smit a kick from the sideline to level the scores after the full-time siren.
But Smit’s good-looking kick hit the left upright to end the Cheetahs’ Super 15 campaign, while the Brumbies lived on to fight for another week.
It was more heartbreak for the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs, who have still to win after six trips to Canberra. The Cheetahs scored the only tries of a gruelling battle through centre Johann Sadie and Benjamin, while Smit landed just one penalty from four kicks at goal.
The Brumbies’ points all came from penalties, with Wallaby back Christian Lealiifano landing four from six and scrum-half Nic White succeeding with a long-range attempt.
“You are always worrying when a South African guy is having a kick at goal because they are usually dead on the money and fortunately for us it fell our way there,” Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen said.
“I thought there were moments throughout the game when we played some really good rugby. We spoke in the dressing room beforehand about being enthusiastic and out-willing them in those moments, and I thought for the majority of the game we did that.” AFP
