Hurricanes captain Dane Coles is refusing to point the finger at the Super Rugby conference system, with his side's season now over after a 30-26 loss to the Hurricanes in Christchurch.
Despite finishing the season with 53 points, the Hurricanes still had to travel to Christchurch for last night's semi-final, while the Jaguares were granted home advantage in Buenos Aires, even though their regular season yielded just 51 points.
For the second straight year, the Hurricanes' season has been ended by the Crusaders, with the defending champions now going on to play for a third title in a row against the Jaguares next weeked.
Speaking to media last night after his side's loss though, Coles said that it was up to the Hurricanes to play the hand that they'd been dealt.
"I'm not going to make excuses, that's out of our hands," Coles said.
"I'm not going to dampen their win, they fully deserved their win. That's just the way the draw is.
"In two years' time or maybe next year, they might go into the round robin and we'll see how they go. But I'm not going to say that, it takes the shine off their win, it's not my kind of style."
Coles also held his hands up, saying that the Hurricanes were simply beaten by the better side.
"They deserved to win. That's not going to change anything.
"I'd love to get that result, get another week, but unfortunately we didn't that's just the way it is.
"We gave everything we had, and unfortunately it wasn't enough. It might've slipped away, it feels so close, but that's just the way it is."
The Crusaders will next week face the Jaguares for the title in Christchurch.
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