Lions’ slayers the Brumbies are into the Super Rugby final for the first time in nine seasons courtesy of another crucial try from blockbusting centre Tevita Kuridrani.
The man whose try paved the way for the Brumbies to become the first provincial team to beat the British & Irish Lions since Northern Transvaal triumphed 35-30 on 7 June, 1997 in their 14-12 win over the tourists strode clear in the final minute of a tense semi-final against the Bulls to snatch another sensational score.
Kuridrani’s try enabled the Brumbies to become the first team to beat the Bulls in a Super Rugby play-off game at their Loftus Versfeld stronghold in Pretoria. Their 26-23 victory earned them a final clash against reigning champions the Chiefs in Hamilton this weekend.
A win in New Zealand will elevate the Brumbies to second place in Super Rugby's most successful franchise with three championship wins and three runners-up finishes. The Crusaders lead the way with seven titles.
''The Crusaders have really dominated Super Rugby and every franchise is now trying to do that. The Chiefs are trying to do it and the Brumbies are trying to do it,” admitted Brumbies head coach Jake White.
Kuridrani’s try couldn’t have come at a better time for him in his fast developing career as earlier in the week he had been named in Ewen McKenzie’s first Qantas Wallabies squad to prepare for the Rugby Championship.
