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Chiefs coach Dave Rennie just doesn’t know how to lose, although his heart must have been in his mouth when the Brumbies led 22-12 into the final quarter last night of the Super Rugby final at Waikato Stadium.
He didn’t move from his seat in the coaches box, giving the distinct impression he didn’t have a care in the world he looked so composed.
And so were his troops as they piled on 15 unanswered points in 19 minutes to run over the Brumbies 27-22, scoring two tries to one.
And they both came up in just four critical minutes of lapsed Brumbies concentration – the 64th with Liam Messam, and the 68th with replacement Robbie Robinson.
Game, set, and match.
That gave Rennie five major deciders in six years – three junior world titles with the under 20 All Blacks from 2008 to 2010, and back-to-back Super Rugby crowns in 2012, and last night.
By any standards an awesome record.
Quite a leap from the first six years of his adult life as a school-teacher, then owning a bar for a couple of years, the ultimate for any thirsty rugby man, before the taste of coaching rugby became his cherished goal.
And he’s kicked it big time.
The Chiefs were the easy-beats of the tournament when he took over last year, having finished 13th in 2011.
Not blessed with a blanket of All Blacks like the Crusaders, Rennie has turned them into a force to be reckoned with against any opposition.
But he would be the first to acknowledge the Brumbies left the door ajar for his side to sneak through.
Jake White’s men had moments of brilliance, followed by lesser moments of sheer stupidity.
And it was those stupid moments that belted the Brumbies.
If coach White made one blunder it was not hooking half-back Nic White at the break.
White had a shocker, He was so pedestrian clearing the ball from set and ruck-maul play, even referee Craig Joubert was often calling for White to “use it”.
There were 11 times in the Game 1 jotted in my notes that White had cost the Brumbies either penalties, points, possession, or position on the field. And that’s at least 10 times too many.
Benchman Ian Prior would have been a far better proposition, despite his comparable inexperience.
While full-back Jesse Mogg wasn’t far behind White in a game he will willingly forget, with prop Ben Alexander a third culprit at critical moments.
Fox sideline commentator Rod Kafer, himself a Brumby in his playing days, tried desperately hard to blame the 30,000-plus kilometres the Brumbies have been forced to travel in the last four weeks. But that ploy held no water.
The Brumbies blew it, It was as simple as that.
But the vast majority of them were integral parts of the 22-12 lead, with Christian Lealiifano hungry for points scoring all 22 with a spectacular try, converting it, and landing five penalties from as many attempts, and George Smith playing his heart out in his Brumby record-setting 142nd Super game.
It was cold comfort, but hot recognition that the first Man-of-the-Match final medal was named the George Smith Medal and won by Liam Messam, who had a blinder.
In a game very worthy of a final, there was one stat that added to the Brumbies demise, missing 23 tackles to nine.
Concrete defence has been the benchmark for Jake White’s success until push turned to shove when it counted.
So well played Chiefs for being just like your coach – composed, confident, classy, and not cracking under pressure.
And for winning the coveted crown.