Chiefs
19
Match Complete
ACT Brumbies
6
| D. McKenzie |  | 78 | ||
| B. Retallick |  | 77 | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 71 | ||
| 57 | | N. Lolesio | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 53 | ||
| 33 | | N. Lolesio | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 31 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 7 |
| 1 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Brumbies’ season goes on the line when they take on the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday for a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:00pm (AEST).
The Brumbies will have looked very carefully at what the Reds did against the Chiefs last week and Stephen Larkham might have given his counterpart, Brad Thorn, a call to find out more.
The record for Australian teams in finals in New Zealand isn’t great and the Brumbies will be looking for revenge after the Chiefs were too strong in their previous matchup in Canberra.
The visitors were more than up for a defensive master class as they racked up the tackles as they blunted the Brumbies maul and forward play and had the game well in hand before conceding two late tries.
The Brumbies were able to exploit the Hurricanes defence last week but will take a whole team effort to knock off the Chiefs at home. The naming of Jack Debreczeni at 10 might give a clue as to how the Brumbies will approach this game in a venue he knows well.
The backrow makeup of the Brumbies has been changed with the trio of Tom Hooper, Pete Samu and Rob Valetini needing to be on top of their game against the impressive combination of Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson.
Jacobson led the way for the Chiefs in the previous matchup in Canberra with an impressive performance and the Brumbies will have worked on a few things to keep him quiet in this one.
It’s not Jacobson the Brumbies will need to focus on as the Chiefs have many threats across the park with the likes of Brodie Retallick, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown and Shaun Stevenson able to make their mark on the game.
Let’s just hope the players decide the result and we’re not talking about the officials next week.
Prediction
This game is one that comes down to a heart vs head decision. The Chiefs did finish first for a reason and look strong at home and deserve favouritism, however the Reds showed the blueprint of how the Brumbies could cause an upset but the head says Chiefs by 3.
Game information
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
TV: Live on 9GEM
Streaming: Live on Stan Sport
Odds: Chiefs $1.19, ACT Brumbies $4.75 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaai, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Nic White (c), Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Connal McInerney, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole
Referee: Nic Berry
James D
Roar Rookie
Second row has some depth with good young players coming through. Full back, five eight and hooker are Australia’s biggest issues.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Wright cannot pass to the right.
charels
Dear Tooley, you need some help with maths. You say the Brumbies lost it in the back row, but two of the three backrowers are exceptions to your judgement? Weird logic.
charels
Thay's precisely my point. Oz lacks depth. Swain was a recent Wallaby. Both he and Wright may never wear Gold again. But which Oz players match, let alone are better than, their NZ counterparts? Very few.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Deal with you tomorrow
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The best players only see spaces, not tacklers.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
I know But I’ve seen this kid play Anyway I’m on the piss Can I joust with you tomorrow Can I pick it up with you saying he he missed that tackle against France
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Your record is stuck.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Repeating it doesn’t make it come true KFTD.
moaman
Roar Guru
I think it is a more general malaise that reflects how little we all listen properly TC. People just don't seem to take care with others' names. Poor old K. Read was skipper of the ABs for quite some time and fans still butchered his surname. I'm no angel in that regard but a quick check is definitely the way to go (imo) if in doubt.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Hey James I’m not sure that was Bernie’s normal character. Emotions are raw after a game but media have to ask those questions I guess. After the whistle my mind turned to some club legends we are saying goodbye to like Laurie, Palmer, White & Samu. I’ll bet those blokes were in the back of Bernie’s mind when he was ‘finger pointing’. Emotional yes, but ungracious perhaps not intended.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“That one’s for the Canes” The Dawn creeps like a painted dream over the sky and sea, which slept together. Sorry Dawn, I fell asleep. Must’ve been a nightmare. I dreamt that I slipped back to last week, when whining Aussies were the only ref-critics, and other countries were noble, mature, and dignified in defeat. So Dawn, what were you saying?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I totally understand that you would support who many think are the underdogs. :thumbup: I do think of them like that as they beat the Crusaders in Christchurch earlier in the season, I am expecting a real battle between two of the best defensive teams mixed with game breakers. One thing that this season has shown is that SRP is alive and well, especially when one thinks of the season that the Drua had also and with their passionate home supporters. The Reds and Brumbies really pushed the Chiefs, which should give Australian supporters a boost for next season… :thumbup:
Wally James
Roar Guru
A point well taken.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
But there are players with many more pounds.
TC
Roar Rookie
Moaman I would be inclined to blame the Commentary teams..Often called as Valentini..Many times I have had to recheck how I have spelt a players name when commenting..Just my thoughts
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Only Aussies whinge Jacko. Your chip is showing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I think that RM has Damo’s jersey atm
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Samu was flat footed. Certainly too flat for the outside channels.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Thanks Tim. :thumbup: Upon reflection I forgot to congratulate the Chiefs for keeping their nerve when things got heated. They were excellent and both teams were fierce. I’ll back the Chiefs as the underdog. Saders are looking ominous and peaking at the right time. Razor seems to have a knack for timing his team’s momentum into finals.