The Chiefs as expected have secured a comfortable win over a Brumbies team that had its focus entirely on next week’s home final.
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Final score
Chiefs 28
Brumbies 10
With the Super Rugby finals just a week away, the ACT Brumbies will be looking for a confidence boost as they bid to upset the Chiefs away from home. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:15pm AEST.
The Brumbies have rested stars in a bid to avoid injuries before the finals and will be without 345 caps worth of experience from the side that lost to the Reds last weekend.
Captain Sam Carter and Wallabies Allan Ala’alatoa, Tevita Kuridrani and Joe Powell have all been rested after heavy workloads this season.
Scott Fardy, Henry Speight and Wharenui Hawera are the only players retained in the starting XV while Jordan Jackson-Hope gets his run-on debut at fullback and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan could earn his first cap from the bench.
Christian Lealiifano’s comeback has been put on ice for another week because of a hamstring strain, but the inspirational playmaker is on track to play his first game in 11 months in the Super Rugby finals.
The Brumbies have secured a finals spot and already know they will play either the Chiefs or Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium in the finals on July 21.
Scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli starts his first game of the season after suffering a pre-season knee injury, while Andrew Smith shifts to inside centre and Nigel Ah Wong replaces Kuridrani at outside centre.
Speight will give provide stability in the back three with Jackson-Hope replacing Tom Banks and James Dargaville starting on the opposite wing.
The Chiefs meanwhile have also rested three stars – Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown – after a draining series against the British and Irish Lions.
Prediction
It has been a tough campaign for Australia’s Super Rugby conference but the Brumbies have done enough to secure a home final next week, and with nothing to lose today, should ask some questions of the Chiefs defence.
Although the Chiefs have left a few star names out of their side this afternoon, they remain a formidable outfit, particularly in New Zealand and remain strong favourites to secure another win against Australian opposition.
Chiefs by 14
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The WB couldn't do worse than punt S.Larkham and N.Grey and instead sign up the Brumbies' defence coach (P.Ryan) and the Tah's attack coach (C.Malone). :)
Debz
Guest
Amazing statistic for the year! Almost takes away the pain of the drawn series against the Lions ;)
Faith
Guest
To NZ teams against the Aussie ...
Faith
Guest
And that seals it. 25-0.
Red Block
Guest
Yes, I agree and because the Brumbies attack coach is so good, we promoted him to the WBs just like the Tahs defence coach. Sigh!
Jon
Roar Rookie
You send a side with so many changes to NZ there is only one possible result. The only question is the magnitude of that result. To lose by 18 points is not great, never will be, but it is around par for what most of us would expect in this situation. The Brumbies did show defensive steel given the pressure they were under. It is probably why they fairly easily won the Oz conference. They were the only Oz side to show any form of staunchness in defence around the super rugby season. The thing that was very disappointing, and it has been for most of the year, is the lack of attacking prowess from the Brumbies. Apart from their one try they never really looked like scoring. In fact in that 2nd half it felt like they had set up camp in their own 22. Never going to win games from there...unless you're a NZ side perhaps. The Chiefs looked good. They were dangerous and despite winning easily I think they'll be a bit disappointed. If they just showed a bit more patience they could have not only won by more, but get the bonus point they apparently needed for the voodoo that is super rugby final positions. Again, even without that the ease in which they contained the Brumbies is something you have to be impressed with.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Chiefs as expected have secured a comfortable win over a Brumbies team that had its focus entirely on next week's home final. The Brumbies still competed well and showed some defensive steel that will serve them nicely heading into their home final. Chiefs fullback McKenzie was once again dynamic in attack, making several breaks and passes that kickstarted the Chiefs attack. The Brumbies had very few answers to the problems McKenzie posed when in space. The Brumbies still have issues to solve in attack and need to find more fluency in possession ahead of more testing matches against tough Kiwi opposition. Despite a poor season overall from the Australian conference, the Brumbies have earned a ticket to the lottery, and when it comes to finals, anything can happen if they apply themselves and give their best effort.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Chiefs 28 Brumbies 10
Jon
Roar Rookie
Again, you have to kick into touch from a penalty. No excuses.
Targa
Guest
It was a pretty strong Blues team (minus SBW suspended and Reiko Ioane who is sick). The temperature was in the mid to late 30s and it was pretty humid in Tokyo
Jon
Roar Rookie
If the Chiefs showed 5% more patience in this game they would be looking at 40+
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Well at least the Brumbies will have another bite at the cherry next week at home in the finals against Kiwi opposition. Chiefs 28 Brumbies 10
Rhys Bosley
Guest
In the other hand no Australian team has lost to the Sunwolves this season.
Adrian
Roar Rookie
Thanks for keeping the blog going Alan. How are any potential Wallabies that are playing going?
stainlesssteve
Guest
Sunwolves played out of their skins. Stadium only half full. Honour at stake They have gone down to cricket scores to the Lions and Stormers in SA, lately The blues were disadvantaged by very expensive lattes in Tokyo
Jon
Roar Rookie
Brumbies have defended well, but they have not once looked like scoring in this second half.
Sandy B
Guest
Brumbies cleverly saving up their kiwi wins for next 2 weeks. Then onto the lions.
Alan
Roar Guru
Targa - that is a fantastic result for the Sunwolves. Please tell me they played that game in Japan? Also, did the Blues rest key players? Chiefs 28 Brumbies 10
Jon
Roar Rookie
Big gaps appearing in the Brumbies all over the place. Chief can put on a big score here.
Alan
Roar Guru
McKenzie once again in the thick of things as his break leads to another great Chiefs try, this time for Michael Leitch who crashes over! Game over now! The Australian conference will have 0 wins against Kiwi opposition this season. Poor to say the least. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Chiefs 28 Brumbies 10