Super Rugby Pacific AS IT HAPPENED: Slow starting Brumbies bullied by Blues in nightmare semi-final at Auckland's Eden Park

That wraps up our live coverage of the first Super Rugby Pacific semi-final but stay tuned to Wide World of Sports for more fallout after Australia's last title hope bowed out.

We will also be back tomorrow for live coverage of the second semi-final between the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

That match kicks off in Wellington at 2.35pm AEST and promises to be a beauty.

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa is gracious in defeat and predictably bemoaning that soft start to the game which basically ended the contest.

"We weren't clinical coming out of our half and we gave them three balls off our kickoff receipt," the prop told Stan Sport after the 34-20 Super Rugby Pacific semi-final loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

"They made us pay through tries. We tried to fight hard from there but they got too much of a lead at the start of the game. It's a tough lesson for us in the finals, especially against the Blues at their home stadium. You can't give them that lead early on in the game and it's a tough lesson for us at the moment."

The Super Rugby Pacific trophy will remain in New Zealand after Australia's only hope bowed out at Eden Park.

The Blues beat the Brumbies 34-20 after a fast start to the first semi-final and have booked their spot in the big dance.

The Blues will play the winner of tomorrow's Hurricanes vs Chiefs clash.

Australian teams have still never won a Super Rugby finals match in New Zealand.

Brumbies lock Nick Frost has been yellow card for tackling a Blues player in the air.

"From bad to worse for the Brumbies and that might just be the knockout shot," Sean Maloney says on Stan Sport.

The Blues lead 34-20 after 71 minutes.

The Brumbies continue to battle away and are getting some impact from their bench.

Flanker Luke Reimer has scored a try to cut the Blues lead to 34-20 with 10 minutes to play at Eden Park.

So you're saying there's a chance?

"The last 50 minutes have actually been very good from the Brumbies, it's the blowout early that's cost them," Morgan Turinui says on Stan Sport.

Blues No.8 Hoskins Sotutu lands a hammer blow as he reacts smartly to a loose ball and goes over under the posts.

It's his 12th try of the season which is remarkable for a forward.

Sotutu has equalled hookers Malcolm Marx and Folau Fainga'a for most tries by a forward in a Super Rugby season - but he hasn't had the benefit of those sweet rolling maul scores.

That's probably curtains for the Brumbies as the Blues shoot out to a 34-13 lead after an hour's play.

There's been no change to the halftime score but Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard went close.

The Blues lead 27-13 after 56 minutes and the Brumbies are still searching for some inspiration.

Meanwhile...

Some interesting comments from Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham on Stan Sport at halftime, admitting there is not a lot of confidence in the visiting dressing room.

Larkham bemoaned a passive defensive start to the game from his men as well as issues with their exits and at the breakdown.

Larkham said he would likely unleash his bench forwards early in the second half.

The Brumbies have gone with a 6-2 bench split.

Well, the first half has pretty much gone to script as the heavily fancied Blues take a 27-13 lead into the sheds.

Not much has gone right for the Brumbies but Rob Valetini's try at least provides a slight glimmer of hope.

"Pretty tough out there, we need to a better job with our exits," Len Ikitau says on Stan Sport.

Harry Plummer adds to the Blues lead with a long range bomb penalty.

The hosts lead 27-13 after 39 minutes.