ACT Brumbies have booked a Super Rugby Pacific semi-final showdown against the tabletopping Blues, overcoming the Hurricanes 35-25 at Canberra.
The result kept Australian hopes alive in the competition, with the other three semi spots filled by NZ teams. The Crusaders will host the Chiefs in the other final-four fixture.
But the Hurricanes will be kicking themselves, after building a 10-point advantage early in the second half, but conceding 20 unanswered points to their rivals, as momentum swung.
The pivotal point of the game came when second-five Jordie Barrett left the field for a head assessment and halfback TJ Perenara was subbed off, leaving the visitors without their backline kingpins.
The Hurricanes still lead 25-21 at that point, but moments later, fullback Josh Moorby put a clearing kick out on the full and the home side capitalised, with fullback Tom Banks scoring to edge his side ahead.
With Barrett still absent, winger Silesi Rayasi took over kicking responsibilities, but had a clearance charged down by Banks and was yellow-carded for playing the ball on the ground.
From the lineout, the Brumbies mauled to the goal-line and winger Tom Wright put the contest beyond doubt with a try in Rayasi's exposed corner.
The Hurricanes enjoyed an early scoreboard advantage, with two penalties from Barrett and a try to Moorby, then gained a numerical edge, when Brumbies centre Len Ikitau was shown a red card for a high tackle on first-five Aidan Morgan.
But moments later, Hurricanes prop Owen Franks earned a yellow card for a highish hit on Brumbies first-five Noah Lolesio and the hosts scored, when hooker Folau Faingaa finished off a lineout maul.
With each side still a man short, the Brumbies took the lead through a try from second-five Ira Simone, but Barrett snatched it back with a penalty and Moorby extended it, with his second try of the contest.
None of that mattered, as the tide turned over the last half hour, with ACT heading across the Tasman to meet the Blues at their Eden Park fortress on Saturday.
ACT Brumbies 35 (Faingaa, Banks, Wright & Simone tries; Lolesio 3 penalties & 2 conversions, White conversion) Hurricanes 25 (Moorby 2 tries; Barrett 5 penalties)
Join us next weekend for live updates of the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals - Crusaders v Chiefs, Blues v Brumbies
