The attention of the rugby world turns to Hamilton tomorrow night as the Brumbies look for their first Super Rugby title since 2004. Join The Roar’s Spiro Zavos from 10.30am this morning as he answers your questions ahead of the Final.
Tevita Kuridrani’s 79th-minute try gave the Brumbies their first win at Loftus Versfeld since 2006, and handed the Bulls their first ever playoff loss in Pretoria.
After returning to Canberra Jake White’s Brumbies outfit now heads across the Tasman to face the Chiefs, who scraped home by a point against the Crusaders last Saturday night.
The two sides haven’t met in the 2013 season, with their last clash coming in Round 4 last season when the Chiefs edging the Brumbies 29-22 at Mount Maunganui thanks to a late try from Jackson Wilson.
Interestingly the last time they met in a Super Rugby playoff game was back in 2004, when the Brumbies strolled to a 32-17 win over the Chiefs in the Semi-Final before going on to beat the Crusaders 47-38 in the Final.
The head-to-head record also points toward a Brumbies win, with the ACT-based franchise winning 11 and drawing one of their 18 Super Rugby matches against the Chiefs.
The Roar’s rugby expert Spiro Zavos will be responding to your questions live from 10.30am this morning, so start firing in those questions in now – using the comments form below – and join us in a robust morning of discussion.
joeb
Guest
``Brumbies ran out of steam in the last 20 mins and got snaffled...'' If we hadn't kicked away so much early possession forcing us - Brumbies - to tackle, tackle, tackle, and more tackling instead of running, running, running the ball we mighta had a different outcome... I don't buy the 'we ran out of legs' excuse due to 30,000 kms of travel. All they do is sit back and be pampered, catered for, rest and sleep. Hollow excuse the travelling bit and Mowen being honest didn't refer to it in the post match. It was Mr White's game plan that failed the final test. Why we kept trapping the ball at the back of the scrum in your half for excruciating periods of time when our backs needed quick ball to at least attempt to score a five-pointer, well, beggars belief. We even got wheeled one time losing the feed. Credit to the Waikato boys, you were excellent in that final 20 mins. Impressive, very. And a 3-peat may be well on the cards should Sonny Bill return, which one suspects he will. Btw, the Canberra Raiders deflated by their union cousins' defeat have just gone down in a massive loss to the Melbourne Storm.
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Lots of hangover in Seeknee this morning, Spiro??? :)
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Well Spiro, the much vaunted DEFENCE went walk about last night over here in Hamilton & they missed 23 tackles. Chiefs had a better BENCH. Tense game, very tense (and intense) crowd at the ground, Brumbies ran out of steam in the last 20 mins and got snaffled by the Chiefs. A big whewwwwwwwwwwwww & high fives and shouts of joy from the crowd on the final whistle. You actually should make the trip across the ditch for the Chiefs's THREE-PEAT this time next year. I'm sure we can find some room in the inn for you :) ........ sectare fidem
joeb
Guest
C'mon you mighty Brumbies!!! We need this one, :)
Pete
Guest
Yeah and the Blues lost a home final to the Crusaders in 98
Touko
Guest
Yep. Well said Curl.
atlas
Guest
Wonderful (I'm in Thailand, no one talks rugby here, rely on online) I will add - and this is very much a generalisation, but based on friends, brother I'm in regular contact with, none of them seem to care (Wellington and Auckland folk). Maybe that is reflected in the (lack of) national news coverage? 2.35pm kick-off for me, if I stand outside and the wind is right I may just hear those cowbells! My nephew (Edinburgh) sent me this link, the 2012 after-match, great if it can be repeated tomorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M6WHw645lE&feature=player_embedded
Kuruki
Roar Guru
It's not low key in Hamilton mate. The crowd will blow the Brumbies eardrums.
atlas
Guest
seems to be very low-key in terms of media coverage, and certainly not headline-grabbing Looked at NZ Herald - boxing, basketball, yachting, boxing, and at last - a short article on the stats between the two teams NZ Stuff - home page for 10 major dailies - basketball, football, golf, 'Brumbies unchanged', league No hype, no trash-talking interviews. NZ H have, further in, a huge seven lines from Dave Rennie, followed by 12 lines from White All very respectful and polite, both just talk about preparation, neither mention the other team The Roar quiet too by comparison - if this had been eg Reds v Crusaders there'd be all the opinion in the world.
niwdeyaj
Guest
His impact against the Lions was seriously diminished by being knocked out in the first 10mins... He would have made a real difference to the game (not saying neccessarily we would have won it, but the final scoreline would not have been so atrocious if he was playing with a clear head).
Chivas
Guest
My exes step dad belonged to ngati porou (east coast tribe). His wife was Irish. In a fit of rage she through a magazine at him (called mana) and said this was where his mana was.. I thought it was funny in an angry kind of way. But mana is also integrity, honour, respect, character. It is a part of Maori culture which lives in the hearts of all Nrw Zealanders. A gift from one culture to others. Something we all associate with and are proud of regardless of our origin. The chiefs will be up for this and will have a large contingent of support. This is history in the making either way. The chiefs to win in a well fought match. Kia kaha.
The Battered Slav
Guest
BRUMBIES!!!!!!!!!! That is all.
Kebab
Guest
Pocock and GS would be a great combo for the Brumbies and Wallabies . But GS deserves to get the big mula in Japan and give his body a rest. Legends, both, and what a perfect way for GS to go out. Go the Brumbies they have a good chance. I like how the Brumbies have just got on with it and played so much better than the Reds and Tahs, who have flair and lair but not much resolve in defence and ticker.
Kane
Guest
The Highlanders lost a home final to the Crusaders in 1999
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The wind is absolutely blowing a gale. A school bus was blown over today. That will make the kicking game of the Brumbies very interesting indeed. The wind will play a huge factor, especially if your gameplan is to work for penalties that will be very difficult to convert.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I don't think the Brumbies have the scrum to dominate the Chiefs. I think it will be very even.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Weather the storm early and come home strong. The Chiefs have the best bench in Super rugby in terms of impact and having the ability to slide straight into the mix without any disruption. Most of the guys on the pine have been regular starters.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Latimer is the form 7 in the team and has been for the past few months, even carrying an injury. His intensity and physicality has lifted and this is why he has been given the nod over Cane who has been workman like in his duty. I think Cane will get about 25 minutes when the Chiefs look to use their bench to come over the top of the Brumbies at the end. Who he comes on for will depend on how Latimer holds up with his sore calf.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Did they win in South Africa though? Hard to know between the Chiefs & The Brumbies which team was more knackered afterwards. The Brumbies though certainly back their fitness, and IMHO they're going to need it against a very good Chiefs side that hasn't had to travel. Good luck to both teams and their fans. ;)
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The Chiefs have won both their return matches from South Africa this year. No excuses.