Hat-trick for Tomane as Brumbies bash Stormers

Cape Town (AFP) - Winger Joe Tomane scored a hat-trick of tries as ACT Brumbies qualified for the Super 15 semi-finals by defeating Western Stormers 39-19 in Cape Town Saturday.

New Zealand-born rugby league convert Tomane wreaked havoc in the opening half at Newlands stadium, scoring three tries within 25 minutes of the kick-off.

Prop Scott Sio barged over for a fourth try for the Australian outfit and the visitors led 24-6 at half-time.

The South Africans fared better early in the second half and twice got within eight points, but never looked like snatching victory.

No. 8 Ita Vaea and full-back Jesse Mogg also crossed the try-line for the Brumbies and fly-half Christian Lealiifano kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Mogg scored when his side were two men short after winger Henry Speight was red-carded for a dangerous tackle and flanker Scott Fardy yellow-carded for a professional foul.

And the Brumbies won the only tight-head of the scrum battle when packing down a man short in the closing stages.

Brumbies are away to league winners Wellington Hurricanes next Saturday in one of two Australia-versus-New Zealand semi-finals showdowns.

Defending champions NSW Waratahs host the other match against Otago Highlanders, who defeated fellow New Zealanders Waikato Chiefs 24-14 in the first play-off.

Fly-half Demetri Catrakilis converted a try by full-back Cheslin Kolbe and kicked four penalty goals for the Stormers.

The home side suffered a major pre-match blow when veteran flanker Schalk Burger was ruled out by a groin injury.