Forget the Brumbies v Crusaders classics, Test prop Scott Sio says his Super Rugby side have found a new Trans-Tasman grudge rival: the Chiefs.
They didn’t come much bigger than the Crusaders-Brumbies clashes a little over a decade ago, with the two sides meeting in title deciders in five years.
But new rivalries have emerged since.
The Crusaders denied the Waratahs a maiden title twice before the NSW side exacted a cold dish of revenge in last year’s final.
The Brumbies on the other hand were overrun by 2012 champions the Chiefs in the 2013 final.
They didn’t have to wait as long to exact revenge, however, getting the better of the Chiefs in last year’s ANZAC Day clash, before finishing any hopes of a Chiefs three-peat by knocking them out in a quarter-final.
Sio believes the recent big game history between the two sides will add extra spice to Friday night’s clash in New Plymouth.
“Back in the day it use to be the Brumbies and Crusaders,” Sio said.
“Now it seems to be the Brumbies-Chiefs which is the big Australian-New Zealand fixture.”
It’s a match Sio always looks forward to on a personal level.
That’s because he’ll likely be packing down opposite giant chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna – possibly Super Rugby’s biggest unit – who is tipped to return from injury.
At 182cm and 140kg, Tameifuna isn’t just a wrecking ball in attack, but poses significant challenges at the scrum.
“I’ve been playing against him since schoolboys rugby in 2009, we’ve had a few good battles over the years,” Sio said.
“It presents its own challenge with his weight, but that’s the beauty of rugby, each week you get to go against guys with different shape and size.”
With the Chiefs boasting Sonny Bill Williams back in their ranks and expected to bring back All Blacks forwards Liam Messam and Brodie Retallick from an extended rest, Brumbies forwards coach Dan McKellar says the physicality will be a step up from the Queensland Reds – who the Brumbies trounced 47-3 in Canberra on Friday.
“The reality is the Reds had seven key players out,” McKellar said.
“But with class players coming back for the Chiefs – including Aaron Cruden – they’re going to be a much tougher proposition.”
atlas
Guest
Chiefs: James Lowe, Bryce Heem, Charlie Ngatai, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Brad Weber, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (c), Mike Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Siate Tokolahi, Hika Elliot, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Tevita Koloamatangi, Augustine Pulu, Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu. I am visiting Taranaki/New Plymouth and can go to the match; very low-key so far, not a mention in today's newspaper As this was formerly Hurricanes territory since the start of Super rugby, can't judge how the Chiefs have 'taken' as the local side. The Chiefs-Hurricanes match here in May will be the better supported match i think.
44bottles
Roar Guru
True. I guess the Auckland-Canterbury one has been around longer, and transferred to the Blues-Crusaders one. I don't see the Canes one as the same, though it certainly exists.
Boomeranga
Guest
I'm pretty excited about Sio's potential for us. He really does seem to have potential I haven't seen in a prop in my time supporting Oz rugby.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
Tameifuna is one of the best up and coming tightheads on planet earth and Sio can claim to be one of the up and coming looseheads. Tameifuna needs to work on his fitness and his scrumaging but he is improving in both areas. It should be a great battle. The Brumbies probably have the best team in Australia on paper and I expect both teams to make the semi finals. The Cheifs have great depth in most positions but Latimer has left a hole in the openside stocks.
Jerry
Guest
When the final last year had two completely different trans-Tasman sides, it puts a dent in the theory that this is the big trans-Tasman clash.
Takirau Pene
Roar Rookie
Ben Tameifuma has done some heavy hits on the best of them. Who has Sio smashed recently
Kuruki
Roar Guru
For me the Chiefs vs Crusaders have been some of the best games of recent years.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yup. Thanks for the article. Brumbies need to overcome Chiefs if they want a crack at the trophy.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It used to be- 3 finals between the 2 (2000, 2002, 2004)- one of them still the only time a side has won an overseas final. Saders in 2000 by one point in Canberra.
Marty
Guest
Canes-Saders are some pretty intense games.
Common Sense
Guest
Well the Crusaders vs Brumbies rivalry is hardly a rivalry. I can't even remember the last time the Brumbies beat the Crusaders... 2009 was it?
Miked
Guest
Hold you to that.
bazza
Guest
Tameifuna is lazy and unfit, that`s why AB`S dropped him.... SIO has it all over him in ever facet apart from the extra 20 kilos of fat..
44bottles
Roar Guru
Off the top of my head. Crusaders - Blues, Tahs - Reds, Tahs - Brumbies, not sure about the SA ones.
taylorman
Roar Guru
“Now it seems to be the Brumbies-Chiefs which is the big Australian-New Zealand fixture.” Gee...a lot sure can happen in a weekend. Where did that come from? After round 1 this weeks clash does look like the top of the table form clash of the entire competition with everyone else falling off their perks. With both sides in attack mode this one is a must see. Pocock is out with an ankle from reports?
Michael
Guest
Someone should write an article about Super Rugby's greatest rivalries. I would really enjoy that.