The ACT Brumbies have once again stumbled in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.
For the fourth consecutive season, the Canberra team has exited at the semi-final stage—each time in New Zealand. They suffered a significant defeat, going down 37-17 to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday evening.
Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie stood out with a match-winning performance, highlighting his display with a stunning try-saving tackle against Brumbies fullback Tom Wright.
A late try might have provided the Brumbies with a flicker of hope, but McKenzie managed to get his hand and arm beneath the ball just as Wright was sliding over the line.
“I’m still in shock. How did that happen? Absolutely insane,” said Stan Sport’s Sean Maloney during the commentary.
Both teams managed to score three tries, with wingers Emoni Narawa and Corey Toole each bagging two, alongside efforts from Josh Jacomb and Billy Pollard.
However, McKenzie also converted six penalties, leaving the Brumbies—who lost their key playmaker Noah Lolesio to an early head injury—scoreless in that department.
“The Brumbies came out strong, as we expected, but I loved how composed we were, sticking to our game plan,” McKenzie reflected.
“We got the ball in front of our forwards, and our set piece worked exceptionally well tonight.”
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The Chiefs will now head to Christchurch for next weekend’s Super Rugby grand final, looking to bounce back after defeat in their last two title games.
The Brumbies represented Australia as the last chance in the playoffs, aiming to secure the Super Rugby trophy for the first time since 2004.
This defeat marked 21 consecutive losses for Australian teams in Super Rugby finals held in New Zealand.
The Brumbies implemented a tactical kicking game to apply pressure on the Chiefs and gain field position, but Lolesio’s early exit proved to be a turning point.
Although the Brumbies kept the Chiefs under sustained defensive pressure for prolonged periods across both halves, it was Pollard who managed to score first, crossing the line from a lineout drive in the 15th minute. The Chiefs later adapted to contain that threat.
Pollard’s early try came on the back of his double in the Brumbies’ qualifying final win over the Hurricanes, bringing his season total to 11 tries. Toole also finished with the same tally, having scored his tries around the halftime break.
Narawa notched his first try at the 20-minute mark, capitalising on a ball picked from the base of an attacking ruck and slicing through the Brumbies’ defence.
Tom Hooper of the Brumbies reacts to the loss. Getty
Toole crossed the line following a well-placed cross-kick from replacement flyhalf Jack Debreczeni, who is a former Chief.
However, penalties from McKenzie saw the Chiefs lead 19-12 at the half.
Toole scored shortly after the break, charging down the left wing and famously trampling McKenzie in the process.
At that stage, the Brumbies were back in the contest, only trailing 19-17.
Yet, Narawa responded with his second try just four minutes later, igniting a streak of 18 unanswered points from the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are now determined to go one better after suffering losses in the final to both the Crusaders and the Blues in the past two seasons.
They will seek their third Super Rugby title, their first since 2013, while the Crusaders chase their 13th championship.
– with AP
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