Chiefs power into another Super Rugby Pacific final after beating Brumbies
Saturday, 14 June 2025
At Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: Chiefs 37 (Emoni Narawa 20’, 46’, Josh Jacomb 64’ tries; Damian McKenzie 2 con, 6 pen) Brumbies 17 (Billy Pollard 15’, Corey Toole 35’, 44’ tries; Ryan Lonergan con). HT: 19-12.
Clayton McMillan will get his swansong in Christchurch after the Chiefs dispatched the Brumbies in Saturday night’s semifinal in Hamilton.
The Chiefs coach would have loved the power and purpose his forwards inflicted on the top Australian side to win 37-17, advancing to next Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders.
They will need every ounce of physical resolve to give their departing coach a trophy in his final match before taking the Munster job.
No side, of course, have beaten the Crusaders in a playoff match on their patch after 31 attempts in 29 years.
McMillan said they weren’t fazed by the phenomenal record of the 14-time champions.
“We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders,” McMillan said.
“We're one team that's had our fair share of success down there.
“We know it's not going to be easy. They’ve got a formidable record and are a quality team.
“They demonstrated that last night [with] real composure when the Blues were sort of inching their way back into the game. You know you’ve got to be at your best.”
McMillan seemed to be referring to their victories in Christchurch in the regular season in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
It has been the Crusaders who have denied the Chiefs in the playoffs in McMillan’s reign in three years, twice in finals (2021 and 2023) and once in a semifinal (2022).
Still, they will believe after a strong response to last Saturday’s qualifying final defeat to the Blues. They can prepare for their fourth final in five years and another crack at their first title since going back-to-back with Dave Rennie in 2012 and 2013.
That loss to the Blues might prove costly because it surrendered top seeding to the Crusaders and gave Rob Penney’s side hosting rights for the decider after they beat the Blues 21-14 in Friday night’s first semifinal.
Any chance the Brumbies had of making history disappeared. That everlasting record of no Australian side winning a playoff fixture in New Zealand endures and extended to 21 matches at Waikato Stadium.
Stephen Larkham’s men will return to Canberra after falling short in a semifinal in New Zealand for the fourth consecutive season. That next step remains elusive and another all-Kiwi final will decide the 2025 champions.
McMillan’s five-year tenure has taken to the Chiefs to the brink of success and there is no disputing their quality after finishing top in the regular season.
The Brumbies, renowned for their efficacy with their set piece and carrying possession, were bested emphatically.
The 14,536 in attendance knew the Chiefs were safe when Josh Jacomb crossed in the final quarter from an attack ignited by Damian McKenzie’s brilliance. His defence was also superb and denied Tom Wright with a sensational diving tackle.
The Chiefs’ playmaker was complemented by another excellent midfield display from Quinn Tupaea. Emoni Narawa, too, was in terrific form and popped up in the right place after coming off his right wing for a brace of tries.
There was a blemish that will concern the Chiefs. Departing fullback Shaun Stevenson suffered a head knock that could rule him out of the final.
The Brumbies were also jolted by losing Wallabies No 10 Noah Lolesio to a head knock after 11 minutes, but they were beaten at their own game. The Chiefs’ attacking onslaught blew the match wide open.
They also did something the Hurricanes couldn’t: steal possession off the Brumbies to win penalties.
McKenzie punished the visitors with his accuracy off the tee (8/9) and landed six penalty goals.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i and loose forwards Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson were at the heart of the Chiefs’ breakdown battle and had their work cut out. The Brumbies are a tough beast.
Test flanker Rob Valetini led their pack’s challenge and ignited some bruising contests for the ball.
As well as their maul prowess, strike wingers such as Corey Toole stretched the Chiefs. Toole’s second try was a terrific finish after trampling over McKenzie.
However, the hosts marched into another final after keeping the Brumbies scoreless for the final 36 minutes. The Chiefs’ bench, including halfback Xavier Roe, made a huge impact.
The Chiefs were rattled in the opening quarter. The Brumbies kept the Hamilton crowd quiet by applying fierce defensive pressure inside the home side’s half.
When Vaa’i was sinbinned for a high shoulder on visiting hooker Billy Pollard, nerves were jangling. It was Pollard who emerged with the first try after Wright’s excellent 50/22.
The Chiefs withstood the visitors’ first rolling maul, but it was a weapon they struggled to contain. Toole touched down for their second score when the Chiefs’ defence was scattered.
Former Chief Jack Debreczeni was standing in for Lolesio and found Toole with a sweet kick. The tall No 10 is an elegant alternative but lacked the directness Lolesio gives their attack.
The Chiefs had charged into the contest when Narawa and Tupaea were unleashed with breaks that stirred an anxious home crowd.
They were more animated when a skirmish almost spilled into the stands. Referee Nic Berry waved the game on. Tupaea was lucky to remain on the field after marching into the shoving action.
The Chiefs nonetheless got an emotional rise and nudged ahead with McKenzie’s boot after Narawa’s sharp finishing.
The second half was more one-way traffic and the Chiefs can dream again. There would be no better farewell for McMillan than toppling the Crusaders in Christchurch.