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Finals bound ... the Brumbies survive a late Cheetahs' charge. Source: Stefan Postles / Getty Images
THE Brumbies have begun a marathon journey to their Super Rugby semi-final against the Bulls, driving to Sydney immediately following a nail-biting 15-13 victory over the Cheetahs.
| 0 Tries 2 | |
|---|---|
| Johann Sadie 16' | |
| Rayno Benjamin 79' | |
| 5 Penalties1 | |
| Christian Lealiifano 3' | Riaan Smit 46' |
| Christian Lealiifano 30' | |
| Nic White 49' | |
| Christian Lealiifano 59' | |
| Christian Lealiifano 68' | |
The Brumbies will Monday catch an early morning 14-hour flight to Johannesburg before preparing for the daunting showdown at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria this weekend (Sunday 1.05am AEST).
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No side has ever made the trip to South Africa and back to claim the Super Rugby title. No side has ever beaten the Bulls in Pretoria in a playoff match.
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"Let's not kid ourselves, it's going to be tough," Brumbies coach Jake White said.
"We are going to a country where rugby is the number one, two and three code, against a side that knows how to win.
"But we have been waiting for this moment.".
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They were afforded the moment after Cheetahs five-eighth Riaan Smit hit the post with a sideline conversion attempt on full-time.
Had Smit been successful, the match would have been extended to 20 minutes of extra time, which Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen was dreading.
"I thought, shit, another 20 minutes of this pace?" Mowen said.
"It puts massive pressure on training for the next week, that's what I was thinking (as Smit lined up the conversion). If it's another 20 minutes it's going to be a huge task for us to get through."
The Brumbies appeared to have victory in the back holding a 15-8 lead as the clock wore down, but sparky halfback Sarel Pretorius set up a last-minute try to winger Ryno Benjamin and suddenly disaster loomed.
But Smit, who kicked just one goal from four attempts, struck the upright and the 14,020 spectators who braved ice-cold conditions erupted in joy at the Brumbies' first finals victory in nine years.
The home side failed to score a try on Sunday, kicking five penalties to the Cheetahs' two tries and a penalty goal.
Cheetahs centre Johann Sadie scored one of the best tries of the season in the 16th minute, finishing a perfectly executed backline set-play.
The Brumbies played structured rugby, dominating the breakdown and scrum.
Inspirational Brumbies flanker George Smith, likely playing his final match in Canberra, was man of the match.
"It was tough, we got the job done, we're into the semis now," Smith said.
"We've got a tough game against the Bulls."
Holding a slender 6-5 lead at half-time, the Brumbies fell behind after Smit kicked an early penalty in the second stanza.
But Brumbies halfback Nic White nailed a 45-metre penalty of his own, and Christian Leali'ifano added two others later to total four for the match, to secure the win.
Now it's off to the most hostile rugby ground on the planet.
"I've heard it's a sell-out, they'll have 50-60,000 people there," White said.
"I want [my players] to go there and enjoy it and embrace it.
"We've got 80 minutes to create our own history."
Super Rugby semi-finals
SATURDAY: Chiefs vs Crusaders, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5.35pm
SUNDAY: Bulls vs Brumbies, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 1.05am
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