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Hurricanes 43, Reds 14<\/strong><\/p>\n Just as objects in a mirror can be closer than they appear, so too were the Reds in this game.<\/p>\n Having really had the better of the first half, yet trailing 10-7, the Reds were looking good – again led by bullocking No.8 Harry Wilson \u2013 who seems to go up a number of levels against New Zealand opposition.<\/p>\n Dave Rennie will be hoping that continues for the Wallabies.<\/p>\n But the second half was marred by some controversial refereeing decisions that made this contest into a blowout.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Wallabies boss demands 'dark side' from players<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Wallabies coach tries to get firebrand off hook<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Rebels bolters headline fresh Wallabies squad<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Reds coach Brad Thorn was seen ironically laughing at a penalty try call from a Bryce Hegarty knockdown.<\/p>\n Hegarty also received a yellow card and the Canes rolled from there.<\/p>\n It was a shame as the match should really have been focused on a farewell to brilliant Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape, playing in his last game for the franchise.<\/p>\n Highlanders 33, Brumbies 12<\/strong><\/p>\n In search of a place in the final, the Highlanders employed a novel tactic against the Brumbies on Friday night \u2013 camouflage.<\/p>\n The Brumbies trotted out on to GIO Stadium wearing their home white strip, only to watch the Highlanders appear in a kit that was also predominantly white, with flashes of Army green.<\/p>\n This confusion tactic worked a treat in the second half as All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith managed to tame the wild horses by scoring two tries and organising pretty much everything his team does.<\/p>\n For the Brumbies it marked the end of a long campaign, having played in the Super Rugby AU qualifying final, grand final, as well as every other round-robin match.<\/p>\n There appeared some weariness, as they were held scoreless in the second half.<\/p>\n Thirteen Brumbies players (including halfback cover Ryan Lonergan) will now look to refresh and get ready for the Wallabies campaign.<\/p>\n Crusaders 52, Rebels 26<\/strong><\/p>\n The Rebels turned out at Leichhardt Oval for the third straight week \u2013 this time as a home team \u2013 to try and play the role of spoiler for the Crusaders.<\/p>\n And spoil they did.<\/p>\n Tries to standout lock Trevor Hosea, Joe Powell, Glen Vaihu and Frank Lomani denied the Aotearoa champion Crusaders the 33 point winning margin required to seal a place in the final.<\/p>\n Hosea's try was an excellent reward for a monster season from the ascending talent, after dominating the Rebels' lineout work, plus performing well around the field.<\/p>\n The Crusaders literally let it slip, as centre Braydon Ennor fumbled the ball with no defenders blocking his path to the try-line – among other missed opportunities.<\/p>\n At fulltime both teams felt like they'd lost and the Rebels will now look to regroup for a 2022 season where hopefully they'll get to play more home games in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Blues 31, Force 21<\/strong><\/p>\n The table was set for the Blues at Eden Park to not only clinch a home final, but to also deny the arch-rival Crusaders a chance to expand their already bloated trophy cabinet.<\/p>\n Needing a win over the Force, the home side were on track with a 28-0 halftime lead.<\/p>\n The Force weren't having any of that though, with a very strong performance in the third quarter that almost threatened to upset the apple cart.<\/p>\n Veteran Richard Kahui even surprised the commentators as he managed to outpace two Blues backs – almost half his age – on a kick chase.<\/p>\n The Force did also manage to score the final try, as they have done in four of their trans-Tasman games.<\/p>\n They will now review their season and prepare to host an exhibition match against the Bay of Plenty provincial side from New Zealand in July.<\/p>\n But while he who laughs last may laugh loudest, it's also argued that winners are grinners and the Blues sealed a final at Eden Park against the Highlanders.<\/p>\n Hopefully no colour clash there.<\/p>\n Chiefs 40, Waratahs 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Most fans wouldn't have been too familiar with the name Sean Wainui ahead of Saturday night's game at Brookvale Oval.<\/p>\n But they'll know it now, as the dreadlocked Chiefs winger is now etched into the history books as the first player to grab five tries in a Super Rugby match.<\/p>\n Then to top it off, his post-match interview became an instant classic as he claimed to have left his wallet in Hamilton to avoid having to shout celebration drinks for the rest of the Chiefs team.<\/p>\n The Waratahs played in their Indigenous jerseys and will now be happy to end the season from hell, which continued with a serious looking shoulder injury to Izaia Perese and a red card to Lachie Swinton for high contact.<\/p>\n One would expect plenty of changes in the organisation next year, but a peek to the future saw fly half Will Harrison put a high kick up for a soaring Mark Nawaqanitawase to score their only try.<\/p>\n Beleaguered Waratahs fans can at least cling to some hope that might be the first of many in the coming seasons.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/em><\/strong> clicking here!<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Lomax](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2021\/06\/363977\/pickerImage.jpg\")
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