It was a tight tug-o-war for the majority without a TRY at FMG Stadium in Waikato between the top NZ and Australian Super Rugby side, which is the Chiefs v ACT Brumbies. But there’s only one team that has a slight upper hand when it comes to the scoreboard in none other than the Chiefs. They led 6-3 at half-time while adding more extras via the three-point penalty goals before Brodie Retallick found their one & only TRY on the run home 19-6, as Chiefs are now through to the main event for the first time since the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa (runner-up to Crusaders) & 2013 Super Rugby Season (champions at home v ACT Brumbies).
Oh so close once again from the Brumbies who were always the best Australian Super Rugby side while being Top 4 at the same time amongst the other three NZ teams. Credit to their forwards in stopping the Chiefs attack when they were struggling to get past them for the majority thanks to the winning turnovers/penalties/advantages. Yes, they have tried to throw back the pressure at the Chiefs own area in return. But they just couldn’t get the job done where the Chiefs’ defensive line was also robust too as both teams were under all sorts of pressure while the clock ticks down. Sadly, not being ahead of them all along was simply too much for them before being kicked out of the last four yet again after full-time.
And is this the year the Chiefs end up being unstoppable with the main silverware now? Having punched their ticket to next Saturday’s big final v Crusaders on home soil thanks to their outstanding regular-season run. Like the Brumbies, they got a decent forward pack but have the slighter edge when it comes with the ball. The winning penalties/advantages were there, having got away with some good choices towards a shot of goal by bagging some extra points. Now may not be easy to come by against the Brumbies defense for the majority, but finally found the breakthrough at last with the match-winning TRY. Now Chiefs need to not just disrupt the Crusaders’ attack but also watch the discipline & be patient to get the job done with tries in return.
One match to go now between the best of the best Top 2 teams out there as only one team will end up taking home the Super Rugby trophy, while another will have to settle as 2nd best. It’s gonna be one hell of a game to wrap this year’s season before turning our attention to the Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup soon in a few weeks’ time.
