One game is all that stands between our ACT Brumbies and the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final. Flying the flag for Australia – as has become tradition this time of year – the Canberrans have a chance to do what no others could do before.
Yes, no Australian team has ever won a final in New Zealand. But this isn’t any Australian side. This is a Brumbies side who has proven its ability to beat anyone and everyone, with the city – and likely country – behind them.
For now, the roller coaster of emotions is over. Brumbies fans that had been pre-empting a possible dead rubber on Saturday afternoon, were suddenly thrust into a do-or-die situation. The Blues had toppled the minor premiers in Hamilton, which meant that only one of the Brumbies or Hurricanes were going to progress.
An early Hurricanes try ensured the nerves would be sticking around. On the field, however, our Brumbies maintained the type of composure that has become synonymous with the ACT outfit.
A damaging front-row performance steered our boys into yet another Super Rugby semi-final, where they stand 80 minutes away from a first grand final in 12 years. In their way is a familiar foe, albeit in unfamiliar circumstances. The Chiefs – who finished the season at the top of the table – were shocked in Hamilton by the Blues last week. Perhaps re-opening old wounds (last year’s decider comes to mind), the Auckland side managed to wear the Chiefs down, securing a thrilling 20-19 victory.
A quirk of this new finals system means that despite that loss, the Chiefs retain hosting rights for this weekend's semi. In typical fashion, Stephen Larkham had no issues with the current system.
“There needs to be a reward for a team that finishes first.” Reward there is, but home advantage – particularly in 2025 – is no guarantee of victory. The Brumbies have proven their ability to win in New Zealand, when they snapped a twelve-year hoodoo in Auckland against the Blues. In further good news, you only have to go back to 2022 for the last Brumbies’ victory in Hamilton.
One man the Brumbies must contain is Damian McKenzie. The dynamic playmaker has been the form player of the competition, providing a running, kicking, and passing threat. Captain Luke Jacobsen returns for the Chiefs, after a late withdrawal last week. The home side will be looking to capitalise on the madness of FMG Stadium Waikato, cow bells and all.
For the Brumbies, the match up of the centres will go a long way to determining the result. Len Ikitau and David Feliuai have consistently shone, whilst Quinn Tupaea has shot into the frame for All Blacks selection. Whilst there will certainly be no shortage of physicality, Ikitau’s playmaking skills will likely prove pivotal.
Crucially, the Brumbies head into the match with an unchanged squad from last week’s qualifying final. In rugby, continuity is vital, and perhaps no more so than in finals. The Canberran forward pack, so impactful last week, will have to produce a similar effort against the table-toppers.
Catch all the action live and free on 9GEM from 4:30pm, or tune in via Stan Sport, with kick off at 5:05pm AEST.
