Brumbies fail to secure super semi

Highlanders 28  Brumbies  26

SYDNEY - The Brumbies blew a golden opportunity to book their place in the Super 14 playoffs after a shock 28-26 defeat by the Highlanders in Canberra last night.

The Brumbies led 26-25 with less than three minutes to go when Ben Blair landed a long-range penalty to deny the Australians the victory they needed to cement a place in the semi-finals.

The Brumbies are still in the box seat to make the playoffs but may have to rely on other results going their way if they fail to win next week's final preliminary round match against competition leaders the Crusaders. The Highlanders are already out of the running for the playoffs.

"There's never any easy games leading into the semi-finals but this is very disappointing because we were really just focussed on making sure we got into the semis tonight," Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock said in a televised interview.

The Brumbies, the only non-New Zealand team to win the old Super 12 competition, made a flying start when first five-eighths Gene Fairbanks, filling in for the injured Stephen Larkham, crossed for the opening try in the 15th minute.

But the Highlanders took the lead when prop Carl Hayman and number eight Craig Newby both responded with tries.

Wallaby inside centre Matt Giteau put the Brumbies back in front when he darted over after half an hour but Blair's boot gave the visitors a one-point lead at the break.

Blair and Mortlock traded penalties several times in the second half before Hayman drove his way over for a try from the back of a ruck to complete a rare double.

The Brumbies looked to be back in control when Mortlock successfully nailed a long-range goal in the 70th minute before Blair's late response decided the match.

Highlanders 28 Tries: Carl Hayman (2), Craig Newby. Conversions: Ben Blair (2). Penalty goals: Blair (3)
Brumbies 26 Tries: Gene Fairbanks, Matt Giteau. Conversions: Stirling Mortlock (2). Penalty goals: Mortlock (3) Drop goal: George Gregan.
HT: 15-14

- REUTERS