- Navalny memoirs spark mix of curiosity, indifference in Moscow
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in talks with Putin
- Ukraine peace talks, NATO invite may hinge on US elections, Zelensky says
- Leipzig players 'not yet talking' about Klopp, says Openda before Liverpool tie
- IMF predicts slightly slower global growth in 2024 and 2025
- US interest rate, election uncertainy hit stock market sentiment
- Guardiola applauds Man City mentality ahead of Sparta Prague test
- San Siro saga continues as Inter and AC Milan propose new stadium project
- French luxury brand Chanel to sponsor Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race
- Flick calm despite Barca's dire Bayern record
- Kenya court hears challenge to deputy leader's impeachment
- Women footballers call on FIFA to drop Saudi Aramco as sponsor
- Mozambican opposition leader says security forces killed his lawyer
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in meeting with Putin
- Stock markets diverge tracking US outlook
- Snyman returns for Springboks' November internationals
- Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat
- Over 250 women in talks with Harrods over Al-Fayed claims
- England pick Ahmed as third spinner for deciding Pakistan Test
- Verreynne century puts South Africa on top, Bangladesh 19-2 at tea
- Navalny's tomb 'covered with fresh flowers every day': widow
- Schauffele targets more success in Japan after major breakthroughs
- Rare Tintin albums go under the hammer in Paris
- Blinken in Israel to push for Gaza truce
- Most markets fall as traders weigh US rates outlook
- Harris and Trump push for every vote with just 14 days to go
- Hyundai Motor India shares dip on debut after record IPO
- South Africa 243-8 at lunch, lead Bangladesh by 137
- Apple CEO visits China for second time this year as sales slump
- Glasgow confirmed as host of 10-sport 2026 Commonwealth Games
- 'Serious business': influencer degree launches in Ireland
- In South Africa, water shortages are the new reality
- Frontline Ukraine cafe offers glimpse of normality as war rages
- In Mozambique, cigars 100% made in Africa
- North Korea UN representative denies Pyongyang sent troops to Russia
- Leipzig host Liverpool under Klopp's looming shadow
- Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer: US media
- King Charles caps Australia trip with 'barbie' and Opera House bash
- Tuipulotu named All Blacks captain to face Japan
- Is Musk's million-dollar US voter lottery legal?
- Britain seeking EU trade reset: minister
- Most Asian markets drop as traders weigh US rates outlook
- Wealthy Israelis offer rewards for release of Gaza hostages
- China launches live-fire exercise in Taiwan Strait
- Putin seeks to rival West with high-profile summit
- New Zealand's Williamson out of second India Test
- League convert Suaalii in Wallabies squad for Europe, Skelton returns
- Unsung heroes who saved 1,000 children from Rwanda genocide
- Rwanda orphans build hope from horror 30 years after genocide
- Brest in dreamland after perfect start to debut Champions League campaign
RBGPF | 3.66% | 61.75 | $ | |
BCE | -0.39% | 33.26 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.08% | 24.63 | $ | |
GSK | -0.54% | 37.955 | $ | |
RYCEF | -1.23% | 7.31 | $ | |
BCC | -1.54% | 135.81 | $ | |
RIO | 0.54% | 65.3 | $ | |
NGG | -1.64% | 65.95 | $ | |
BTI | 1.34% | 34.715 | $ | |
SCS | 0.07% | 12.899 | $ | |
RELX | -1.42% | 46.965 | $ | |
JRI | -0.23% | 13.12 | $ | |
AZN | -0.58% | 76.99 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.16% | 24.83 | $ | |
VOD | -0.72% | 9.561 | $ | |
BP | 0.46% | 31.615 | $ |
Super Rugby semis locked down as Rebels farewelled
The Wellington Hurricanes and Auckland Blues booked home semi-finals against the Waikato Chiefs and ACT Brumbies respectively on Saturday as the Melbourne Rebels bade farewell to Super Rugby.
The top-qualifying Hurricanes overcame a slow start to beat the Rebels 47-20 in their quarter-final in Wellington, with the debt-laden Australian team playing the last match in their 14th and final season.
It set them up with a clash next week against the Chiefs, who dismissed the Queensland Reds 43-21 on Friday.
The Blues -- who finished the regular season a solitary bonus point behind the Hurricanes -- overpowered the Fijian Drua in the forwards to win 36-5 in Auckland.
They will meet the Brumbies who battled past Otago Highlanders 32-16 in Canberra, denying New Zealand a clean sweep of the final four.
Some Rebels players and supporters were outwardly emotional after the full-time whistle.
They won't return next year after Rugby Australia decided to shut down the club, which went into administration in January owing almost Aus$23 million (US$15 million).
Captain Rob Leota was pleased his team were competitive in the Rebels' first play-offs appearance.
"It was our goal from the start of the year to be the greatest Rebels team ever," he said.
"We had high hopes to go further but you can't give opportunities to a team like the Hurricanes.
"For this club, we hope we did everyone proud and hopefully we can see this team come back in the next couple of years."
- Taking chances -
Hurricanes back Jordie Barrett, whose linebreaks created two of his team's seven tries, paid tribute to the Rebels.
"I want to acknowledge the Rebels as a franchise," Barrett said.
"Since joining Super Rugby, they've always been a joy to play against -- players, staff and fans."
The Rebels disrupted the Hurricanes up front, only trailing 14-6 at the interval after conceding tries to prop Pasilio Tosi and winger Josh Moorby.
The home side took control after the resumption through tries to forwards Braydon Iose, Asafo Aumua and Devan Flanders.
Melbourne breathed life into the contest when winger Lachie Anderson crossed twice in quick succession but the Hurricanes had the final say through tries to Du'Plessis Kirifi and Kini Naholo.
The Blues were in command at 22-0 up following first-half tries to captain Dalton Papali'i, Finlay Christie and Caleb Clarke.
A Drua backline brimming with talent had few opportunities although winger Selestino Ravutaumada streaked clear for a fine individual try soon after the break.
The Blues conjured two late tries, including a second to Clarke, to win, but a knee injury that forced captain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu from the field after 20 minutes will be a concern.
In Canberra, the Brumbies took a 17-16 lead into the break after a see-sawing first half saw five lead changes.
Converted tries from Andy Muirhead and Billy Pollard cancelled out three successful penalty kicks from Cameron Millar, while Jona Nareki crossed for the visitors.
The hosts came out firing in the second half with Pollard and Muirhead both scoring again inside the opening 10 minutes to build a 29-16 lead and there was no way back for the Highlanders.
"Very pleased," said Brumbies skipper Allan Ala'alatoa. "Finals footie is all about taking your chances and I think we did that well in the second half."
O.Karlsson--AMWN