First the bad news. Home teams are 13-4 in Super rugby finals. Only one team has won a final offshore. Only teams finishing top two have won a final. Brumbies finished third.
That's the main reason Chiefs are 1.30ish and Brumbies 4.0ish. If any team can go against history and win tonight it's the Brumbies. They have the best away win record in the comp. They are the only team ever in Super rugby to win seven consecutive away games.
The Brumbies are up near the top of the table for all the attack and defence stats. They have the lowest number of tries scored against them in the comp. The Chiefs are up the top for attack stats and down the bottom for defence stats. Of the 18 contests between the two clubs the Chiefs have won six. However they have won the last two. It's not helpful that the two teams haven't played each other this year.
The influence of Jake White on this team is immense. The game plan will be purely South African. Long kicks out of their own territory. Keen chasing. Intense breakdown work. Strong set piece. Letting the backs loose deep in opposition territory. Most Brumbies tries are scored out wide. Putting pressure on and converting that into points through Lealifano's boot.It's proved very successful this year including last week's sensational win over the Bulls.
The Brumbies strengths include what I think is the best back row in the comp. Mowen Kimlin and George Smith. Nic White at 9 has played well and his boot is invaluable. Toomua the best defensive 10 in rugby. He will no doubt look to crunch his opposite number. Jesse Mogg's massive boot is also key. The fact that he's a left footer helps.
Hopefully the Brumbies can start well and keep the Chiefs under pressure. The Chiefs are brilliant counter attackers from kicks and also effective at counter rucks. I think the Brumbies are well in this. I think they are the only team in the comp that could win against the Chiefs. The odds and/or the start look generous.
Of course the Chiefs may start at 100mph and blow the Brumbies off the park!! We'll wait and see!
Bet that is really standing out for me is over 7.5 points Brumbies 1st half with Lads. Think they will come out firing as they did last week in Pretoria and Lealifano is kicking excellently
Bet that is really standing out for me is over 7.5 points Brumbies 1st half with Lads. Think they will come out firing as they did last week in Pretoria and Lealifano is kicking excellently
Bit odd this. Joubert could have given a pen against Smith for clearly coming around the side, which he does without doubt, but he didn't and asks the video ref who ignores it.
Where does the "it was a tackle only" comment come from though?
Bit odd this. Joubert could have given a pen against Smith for clearly coming around the side, which he does without doubt, but he didn't and asks the video ref who ignores it.Where does the "it was a tackle only" comment come from though?
I suppose it's not the Video ref's responsibility to see basic ruck offences, but Smith stopped Kerr-Barlow going right by being offside, so the Brumbies directly profited from it.
I think the Chiefs come out like they did last week in the second half. Might be some tired legs for the Brumbies by the end.
I suppose it's not the Video ref's responsibility to see basic ruck offences, but Smith stopped Kerr-Barlow going right by being offside, so the Brumbies directly profited from it.I think the Chiefs come out like they did last week in the second half
I've got bits on both sides now, but the draw is certainly the best result. I was enjoying all that penalty trading, the Brumbies try was a bit of a spoiler.
I've got bits on both sides now, but the draw is certainly the best result. I was enjoying all that penalty trading, the Brumbies try was a bit of a spoiler.
Truth is that the Chiefs are making far too many errors. Brumbies lower risk, scrap for everything style of rugby is going to bring them a championship here.
Truth is that the Chiefs are making far too many errors. Brumbies lower risk, scrap for everything style of rugby is going to bring them a championship here.
That was an absurd pen from Joubert. He couldn't see clear scrum pens in the Lions test, yet he's got a man there for being on his knees where at best the knee has scraped the ground. Made no effect whatsoever.
That was an absurd pen from Joubert. He couldn't see clear scrum pens in the Lions test, yet he's got a man there for being on his knees where at best the knee has scraped the ground. Made no effect whatsoever.
Back to back championships is no easy thing. The Chiefs were erratic also-rans for so many years, now they still play similar rugby but win tournaments. Impressive stuff.
Back to back championships is no easy thing. The Chiefs were erratic also-rans for so many years, now they still play similar rugby but win tournaments. Impressive stuff.
Made a profit on the game but would gladly given it away for a Brumbies win. They went well,mostly. Costly brain snaps by Mogg which is a worry since he's being touted as future wallaby. Chiefs bench really made a difference,once again emphasising the depth of NZ rugby. Heartbreaking loss for the Brumbies,they were virtually filling the trophy with champagne there for a while. Is there anything here we can take for the upcoming Bledisloe?
Made a profit on the game but would gladly given it away for a Brumbies win. They went well,mostly. Costly brain snaps by Mogg which is a worry since he's being touted as future wallaby. Chiefs bench really made a difference,once again emphasising th