Match Details

Hurricanes (NZ)

VS

Brumbies

11

Wellington Kick off times: 7:35pm (Local) Fri 23 Feb 5:35pm (AEDT) Fri 23 Feb

10

The Brumbies have suffered a heartbreaking last-minute, one-point loss to the Hurricanes in their Investec Super 14 clash in Wellington on Friday night.

A rejuvenated Brumbies outfit scored a try through forward Adam Wallace-Harrison in the first half and then led 10-6 for most of the second half, defending gamely for the final 20 minutes, before Hurricanes No.8 Thomas Waldrom scored a try in the corner after the final siren to pinch the win for the home team. 

It is the second game in three weeks where the Brumbies have lost a Super 14 match after the Blues inflicted a similar defeat at Canberra Stadium in week two.

Wave after wave of Hurricanes attacks had been stopped by some heroic Brumbies defence but with the final siren sounding it was some dazzling footwork by wing David Smith, that set up the sniff of an opportunity.

The ball was moved on the short side and on the end of the line it was Waldrom who stepped inside a tackler, took the brunt of the tackle attempt and stretched out to touch down the match winner in the corner.

It was hard luck for a game Brumbies side which showed much more of its usual style of play in some fine continuity of play, especially during the first half.

The loss of flyhalf Stephen Larkham disrupted the flow of the backline and it wasn't quite as effective in the second half.

The Brumbies lineout was also competitive, but the determination of the home side, who also had to play without the steadying influence of centre Tana Umaga for the second half, was the most impressive part of the Hurricanes effort.

The Hurricanes had scored first after six minutes with a penalty goal to flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth but after 17 minutes lock Wallace-Harrison capped off a fine Brumbies move which featured some outstanding support play to score his side's try.

Six minutes later, the Brumbies were denied another try when wing Matt Gerrard crossed but the pass to him was ruled forward.

The Brumbies led 7-3 at half-time while Gopperth added a second penalty goal early in the second half.

Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley had a mixed night with his boot but did land a goal in the final quarter to extend the Brumbies' lead to 10-6.

Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata had a powerful game and was twice prevented from scoring tries late in the game. On the first occasion, from a lineout drive, he was over the line but lost the ball as he attempted to ground it.

Then soon after he was pushed out in the corner by Brumbies prop Nic Henderson after being on the end of a sweeping Hurricanes move.

Hurricanes winger Smith was a constant thorn in the side of the Brumbies defence and made one electrifying burst when fed the ball on the blindside after a tighthead was secured by the Hurricanes scrum.

George Smith's experience kept the Brumbies competitive in the loose while George Gregan's influence was obvious, especially in the second half as the game wound down.

Hurricanes 11

Tries: Thomas Waldrom

Penalties : Jimmy Gopperth 2

Brumbies 10

Tries: Adam Wallace-Harrison

Conversion: Julian Huxley

Penalties: Huxley

HT: 3-7