Source : ABC NEWS
Defeating the Chiefs in Hamilton is always a tough ask, but it’s not mission impossible for the ACT Brumbies in next Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific semifinal.
And this isn’t simply because the Blues found a formula to beating the top-ranked Chiefs in enemy territory, when they came away with an upset 20-19 victory in the first week of the finals.
The Brumbies showed they could compete with the Chiefs ‘on the road’ back in round three.
The final 49-34 scoreline masked how close the contest was in Hamilton, with the Brumbies trailing by five points with just over four minutes left in the match.
Each side scored six tries and it was the Chiefs’ superior goal kicking — via the boots of Damian McKenzie and Josh Jacomb — that proved the difference on the scoreboard.
The Brumbies were competitive with the Chiefs when they met in round three. (Getty Images: Dave Rowland)
The Brumbies’ fortunes turned after the loss in Hamilton, as only a week later they posted their first win over the Blues (21-20) at Eden Park in 12 years.
They also regained the services of arguably their most influential player, Rob Valetini, a few weeks later following his return from a hamstring injury that saw him miss the start of the season.
However, an area of concern the Brumbies need to address in the sudden-death encounter against the Chiefs is their defence.
Four tries were conceded in the 35-28 defeat of the Hurricanes in Saturday night’s qualifying final at Canberra Stadium.
The Chiefs can exploit even the slightest of defensive lapses with the array of attacking threats they possess in their line-up.
Conquering the mental demons that come from losing three consecutive semifinals on New Zealand soil is another challenge the Brumbies must face.
But an encouraging sign is the fact they haven’t appeared intimidated in any of their matches against New Zealand opposition this season.
This can’t be said about every performance from an Australian team when they’ve faced a trans-Tasman rival.
Brumbies roll up their sleeves
The Brumbies’ victory over the Hurricanes was far from perfect, but it did illustrate they can adapt their game to the cut-throat atmosphere of finals rugby.
With no bonus points up for grabs, Stephen Larkham’s side knew all they had to do was win to keep their season alive and they achieved this through old-fashioned grit.
There was nothing pretty about four of their five tries, scored via conservative — but effective — tactics.
Billy Pollard’s brace came from driving mauls from line-outs, while fellow front-rowers Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper crossed the chalk after the patient use of one-out runners and the ‘pick and go’ ploy.
Tom Wright was among the Brumbies’ try-scorers against the Hurricanes. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
Tom Wright’s second-half try was the only score managed from brilliance in attack, with the Wallabies fullback running into open space via a breathtaking inside ball from Valetini, deftly executed in contact.
This is a strength of the Brumbies: they can score tries with style and flair, as well as through ‘blue-collar’ methods.
Season over for Reds
Winning in Christchurch was already an uphill battle for the Queensland Reds before they took the field against the Crusaders.
The hosts held a 29-0 win-loss record in home finals prior to playing the Reds last Friday night.
The Reds made the task more difficult for themselves with an inept display in the first half of the qualifying final, conceding two tries, giving away six penalties to one and barely laying a glove on the home side in attack.
The final penalty count finished 11-6 against the Reds, with five of those coming in scrums.
The Crusaders were on top of the Reds from the outset in Christchurch. (Getty Images: Joe Allison)
The Crusaders fed off the Reds’ poor discipline and misfiring set-piece to complete a comprehensive 32-12 victory and move through to the semifinals, where they will play the Crusaders at home on Friday night.
No positive spin can be applied to the Reds’ performance, who were outclassed by a more talented, aggressive and hungrier opponent.
It brought an end to a Reds’ campaign that saw them lead the standings earlier in the competition, only to fall away with a 3-5 win-loss return from their last eight regular-season matches.
Reds’ depth tested
Even with the blooding of several players in 2024 and the addition of some ex-Melbourne Rebels, the Reds’ depth was stretched this season when injuries took their toll.
Ahead of their clash with the Crusaders, the Reds had six Wallabies — including Liam Wright, Matt Faessler and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto — sitting in the casualty ward.
Among those who took the field in Christchurch, Test players Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook had all spent time on the sidelines due injury or concussion protocols.
Harry Wilson was sidelined with a broken arm during the season. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
The Reds used 38 players across the season, although head coach Les Kiss didn’t advance injuries as an excuse for why his side exited in the first week of the finals.
While financial reasons underpinned the Rebels’ axing last year, the move helped consolidate Australia’s player pool among the remaining four teams.
When there were five clubs, the talent was spread too thinly and this showed in the results, especially after the competition was rebranded as Super Rugby Pacific in 2022.
But player depth remains an issue for Australian teams, even within a condensed environment.
Still, the Reds can be buoyed by the progress Joe Brial made in his second year at Ballymore, as well as Richie Asiata’s breakout season.
Both could find themselves members of the Wallabies’ wider squad during the British and Irish Lions series and Rugby Championship.
Aussies can cheer for Crusaders … sort of
The Brumbies may be the last Australian team standing, but there is still much interest — from a Wallabies point of view — in how the finals play out in regard to the Crusaders.
As he has done throughout the season, James O’Connor featured off the bench in the Crusaders’ win over the Reds.
O’Connor didn’t have much to do across his two stints on the field, with his output restricted to six passes, one carry and four tackles.
James O’Connor (right) and the Crusaders face the Blues in the semifinals. (Getty Images/Mark Kolbe Photography)
He did slip up on the stroke of half-time with a mistimed kick for touch — from a penalty — going dead, but only the harshest judge would hold that against the 34-year-old when weighing up his Wallabies’ selection chances.
O’Connor has played well enough for the Crusaders to be considered a contender to face the Lions, with a role off the bench suiting him at this point of his career.
His experience, which includes starting at fly-half in all three Tests against the Lions in 2013, would be invaluable, given the sparse play-making options available to the Wallabies.
