Brumbies

Brumbies believe they can beat the very best

Though they come into the quarter-finals with the worst record of all the finalists, the Brumbies have been on the wrong end of some nail biters, losing seven games by less than seven points this season.

One of the exceptions to that statistic was a 56-21 loss to the Hurricanes in Napier, the team the Brumbies will host on a Friday night.

Despite that, Alaalatoa said the side's unity gave him unwavering confidence.

"We’ve been with each other for the whole year and know all the hard work that we’ve done and we know what we’re capable of when we’re on," he said.

Lealiifano comeback goes beyond Canberra

The Canberra playmaker has inspired all of his teammates, and his return off the bench in Friday night’s quarter-final will be a timely boost.

The 29-year-old’s journey, though, has not gone over the heads of their quarter-final opponents, with the popular flyhalf’s comeback watched by so many in rugby.

Hurricanes skipper TJ Perenara remembers when the news filtered through almost this time last year, when the Wellington side was preparing for what would ultimately be their first Super Rugby championship.

Hurricanes bring back big guns for Brumbies clash

Coles will come from the bench in his first match in four months, having suffered lingering concussion symptoms since copping a head knock against the Highlanders in round four.

That is a significant inclusion for the Canes but getting their star flyhalf back is of utmost importance.

Barrett missed the win against the Crusaders due to a sinus infection so to have him fit and firing come Friday night is a major boost for Hurricanes fans.

There is still no Vince Aso on the team sheet, which means Jordie Barrett will stay at outside centre.

Brumbies star inspires Canes

Lealiifano will be the the ACT Brumbies' bench weapon in his first game since being diagnosed with leukaemia 11 months ago, as he lines up in the Super Rugby quarterfinal showdown at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

His journey back to the field has touched players around the world, with livewire Hurricanes fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder saying it was "bloody inspiring" to see Lealiifano back on the field.

Lealiifano to return against Canes

Lealiifano, who has been out of Super Rugby since being diagnosed with leukaemia ten months ago, had originally made his return in Brumbies colours during the team's Austbrokers Cup win over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore in June and will be on the bench for the knockout tie.

Brumbies, Waratahs race for finals

The Brumbies and Waratahs hold the first two places in the conference with matching four-win, seven-loss records, although the Brumbies hold a four-point lead after taking six bonus points from their 11 matches.

Under Super Rugby's contentious playoff format, the team that tops the Australian conference will be awarded home advantage in the first round of playoffs on July 21 or 22, even though their record might be inferior to other qualifying teams.

Brumbies in a rut

Friday night's match at GIO Stadium continued their drought against overseas opposition and made it the first time they had lost four on the bounce since 2011.

It comes as they prepare to embark on a tough world tour to play South Africa's Kings in Port Elizabeth and Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

The opening 25 minutes were played almost exclusively in the Brumbies' attacking half.

But after winger James Dargaville had a try disallowed in the opening stages, Wharenui Hawera's 18th-minute penalty goal was all they had to show as they went to the break leading 3-0.

Blues outclass Brumbies 18-12 in Canberra

Despite being last in the New Zealand group, the Blues were too good for the conference-topping Brumbies in a stark illustration of the gulf between Kiwi outfits and their trans-Tasman rivals.

It was the Brumbies' third loss in a row and ninth consecutive defeat to New Zealand opposition.

The Blues dominated possession from the outset on Sunday but were unable to breach the Brumbies dogged defence for the opening half hour in front of 12,072 at GIO Stadium.

Winger Matt Duffie broke the deadlock, with a George Moala offload helping him to cross after 31 minutes.

Hurricanes crush Brumbies in Napier

After trailing 21-14 at the break, the defending champions piled on six unanswered second-half tries on Friday night to shoot to the top of the table in devastating fashion.

Centre Vince Aso bagged a hat-trick, including two in six minutes early in the second half to blow the game open, while Callum Gibbins collected a double at McLean Park.

Boasting the best defence in the competition heading in to the match, the Brumbies simply had no answer after the break as Beauden Barrett delivered an attacking mastersclass.

Highlanders come back in Canberra

Trailing for most of a match that made up for a lack of quality with plenty of commitment, replacement Highlanders prop Aki Seiuli barrelled over under the posts in the 73rd minute for a converted try that proved to be the difference.

The Brumbies then set about utilising their favourite attacking ploy, the driving maul off a lineout, in a frantic finale, but the visitors held firm on three occasions to either draw a penalty or force a turnover to keep their lead intact.