The Brumbies could have won the Super Rugby title. A loss in February scuttled it

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The Brumbies' season officially concluded - again - on a cold and miserable night in Hamilton on Saturday, but the beginning of the end came when fans were still wearing T-shirts in Canberra.

It was late February and the Brumbies lost at home to the Western Force in a balmy round-two clash. In their first win in Canberra, the Force scored with 13 men in the dying minutes to take the chocolates.

Post-game the Brumbies tried to park it and move on but the vibe was unmistakeable: Geez, hope that doesn't cost us. In the end, they were right to fret. That loss did cost the Brumbies.

The Brumbies, and Australian rugby, will this week be spectators in the final week of Super Rugby, after the ACT side was stopped in the semi-finals across the ditch for a fourth straight season.