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We are the champions ... The Chiefs celebrate their win over the Brumbies. Source: Sandra Mu / Getty Images
AN exhausted Brumbies side fell short of a miraculous grand final victory after being steamrolled late by the Chiefs, who became just the fourth franchise to defend their Super Rugby championship.
| 2 Tries 1 | |
|---|---|
| Liam Messam 64' | Christian Lealiifano 39' |
| Robbie Robinson 68' | |
| 1 Conversions1 | |
| Aaron Cruden 69' | Christian Lealiifano 40' |
| 5 Penalties5 | |
| Aaron Cruden 24' | Christian Lealiifano 6' |
| Aaron Cruden 26' | Christian Lealiifano 8' |
| Aaron Cruden 32' | Christian Lealiifano 21' |
| Aaron Cruden 48' | Christian Lealiifano 46' |
| Aaron Cruden 72' | Christian Lealiifano 59' |
The Brumbies had led 22-12 until the 65th minute, but ran out of puff to go down 27-22 to a classy Chiefs outfit who scored two tries in the last 15 minutes.
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While coach Jake White had said prior to the game the Brumbies would not use their 31,000km month-long travel schedule as an excuse, it was clear in the dying stages that the Brumbies were struggling to keep up.
It appeared they had done enough to set a solid base for victory with their 10-point lead in the final quarter, but by the 68th the Chiefs went ahead for the first time in the game after successive tries.
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The Chiefs had not been able to get across the line until there was just 15 minutes remaining, when backrower Liam Messam barged over from the back of a scrum five metres out.
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That try had the Brumbies leading 22-17, but a long break by Bundee Aki and Asaeli Tikoirotuma out wide saw the Chiefs spread the ball back inside.
Replacement fullback Robbie Robinson, with his first touch, cut back inside Tevita Kuridrani and raced 30 metres to the tryline, sending the sellout crowd delirious.
An additional penalty goal by Aaron Cruden was the final scoring play of the match, despite the Brumbies pressing with the ball in the final seconds.
A turnover after the full-time siren gave the Chiefs a deserved win after they had finished top of the table in the regular rounds.
Only the Crusaders, Blues and Bulls before them had won back-to-back titles.
With a try and superb kicking, Christian Leali'ifano had scored all the points for the Brumbies as they led 16-9 at half-time.
A brilliant intercept try by the centre a minute before the break gave the visitors a huge boost heading into the sheds, after the Chiefs had reeled in a 9-0 deficit.
The Brumbies used a relentless rush defence all game and it paid huge dividends when Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow, pressured at the back of a ruck on halfway, threw a speculative wide pass.
Leali'ifano raced in and scooped the ball with one hand just before it hit the ground, then outsprinted Aaron Cruden for 50 metres to score the opening try.
Leali'ifano had earlier kicked three penalties – two in the first eight minutes – to give his side an ideal start.
The Brumbies led 9-0 after 21 minutes but the Chiefs had drawn level by the 32nd following a dramatic swing in momentum.
The Chiefs stunned the Brumbies by running it from all areas; from their own line, taking quick taps from penalties, and spreading the ball with sublime speed.
But the Brumbies were desperate in cover defence and kept their rivals tryless until late.
The underdogs showed no signs of big-game nerves in the early going.
Five minutes in Peter Kimlin latched onto a midfield turnover and raced downfield. Following a long raid at the line, halfback Nic White earned a penalty for a high tackle by prop Toby Smith, and Leali'ifano slotted an easy penalty goal.
From the kick-off, the Brumbies booted the ball downfield and then surged over the ruck ball, forcing another penalty 37 metres out on the sideline, which Leali'ifano just managed to kick over the bar.
The Chiefs finally earned a penalty of their own in the but Cruden fluffed his kick, and two minutes later Leali'ifano nailed a monster 43-metre effort to give the Brumbies a nine-point lead.
Cruden got the Chiefs on the board with a penalty goal in the 23rd, and then added a second to cut the lead to 9-6 by the 26th.
When Stephen Moore was penalised for a second successive ruck infringement Cruden drew his team level with eight minutes left in the half.
But Leali'ifano's try was a deflating blow.
Just six minutes into the second half Leali'ifano extended the lead with his fourth penalty, but Cruden returned with his own to make the score 19-12 in the 48th.
Lock Sam Carter was denied a try when television match official Vinny Munro could not determine that he had grounded the ball amid a rubble of bodies in the 56th minute.
Munro then denied the Chiefs a try in similar circumstances with 17 minutes remaining, but the home side were relentless in pursuit of another crown.
Rugby writer Iain Payten will cover the game with a live chat of the Super Rugby final. Login to follow all the action and cheer on the Brumbies.
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