The Crusaders turned up the pressure in the last ten minutes scoring 21 points through three tries.With 10 minutes to go the Brumbies were trailing 12-3 but still looked like they could score some points to secure the last Semi final place.
Instead it was the Crusaders who scored the points putting the Brumbies hopes for a Semi hanging in the balance. The Sharks now need to beat the Force by more that 10 points and get the bonus point to overtake the Brumbies who played this match without Gregan, Giteau and Larkham.
The result secured the Crusaders the top spot on the table and now cannot be overtaken so they will host a home semi-final and will play the team that finishes fourth. That team could be Brumbies, Sharks or the Bulls.
The Bulls can also still qualify for the Semi final if they beat the Stormers by more than 26 points with a bonus point. The Final four will now not be known until the final whistle of the Stormers v Bulls match.
The match itself was dominated by both team kicking for territory. Mortlock only had one opportunity to kick at the posts which he did and scored the Brumbies only points of the match.
Conditions did not suit the Brumbies with patches of water all over the field. Carter again put in a near perfect kicking performance missing only one shot at goal in the opening minutes.
With a minute to go the Crusaders scored one of the tries of the season passing the ball to nine players leading to Latimer going over for the try.
Minutes before as the clock showed 70.00 Corey Flynn scored the first try of the match and two minutes later replacement Johnstone scored his first try at this level.
In the second half the Brumbies seemed determined to score but the relentless Crusaders defence was not giving up. The Brumbies defence was also in top form until the last ten minutes when they could no longer contain the Crusader’s pressure.
Scorers
Crusaders – Tries, Flynn , Johnstone, Latimer – Conversions – Carter 3 -Penalties, Carter 4
Brumbies- Penalty, Mortlock