Can you believe it from the Blues? They’re somehow still in it thanks to their last-gasp win over the Chiefs on the Chiefs home front at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
Hats off to reserve second row Josh Beehre on his staunch defensive and attacking efforts at the centre of tackle that turned into a game-scoring TRY with Beauden Barrett continues to put in some crucial performances including a mix of creative & conversions at the starting 10.
Unlucky from Chiefs who got away with winning penalties but just couldn’t hold on sometimes – more about a physical game than just trying to score big. Look out for quick Daniel Rona on the outside 13 making excellent runs and threats too and Blues didn’t see that coming with Rona causing damage and he’s got another one coming up for next Saturday’s semi-final.
Off to Canberra and the returning tighthead Brumbies 3 Allan Alaalatoa churns in those performances from defense to attack and yet he’s stood tall.
Meanwhile, Andy Muirhead runs rockets on the wide right 14 that the Hurricanes weren’t able to do and what more can you say about him? Just unbelievable from someone who still continues to be ignored by the Wallabies & hopefully him taking on the Lions would surely convince Joe Schmidt to put Andy on the green & gold.
And looking on the Hurricanes when they no longer able to go any further? Their attack looks one-dimensional & don’t forget they defended poorly too with the long game. Gotta say Ruben Love knows how to pull off magic from the back with his hands, running legs and the boot of the tee – it’s a shame things didn’t work out with lost balls & errors here and there.
Now the 2 x semi-final match-up will be a bit like two years ago with the Crusaders v Blues first on Friday and then Chiefs v Brumbies next Saturday in Hamilton.
Nothing much will change and the same will go with Brumbies who will be front and centre once again for fourth straight year.
However, for the Brumbies to try and go one better assuming they advance to the Grand Final, they better dominate those ball retentions by taking advantage of the points that Chiefs would struggle to grasp like we saw earlier tonight v Blues.
They are the only side hang in there hoping to win back a championship that Australian Rugby has long wanted since way back when.