The final will once again be an all-New Zealand affair,the Chiefs’ stellar defence to face off with the Crusaders’ potent attack after they beat the Blues 52-15 on Friday night.
It continues the perfect record of Kiwi teams hosting Australian sides in finals,and it’s the second time in as many years the Brumbies have exited in a semi-final across the ditch.
Chiefs’ five-eighth Damian McKenzie nailed all four of his penalty goal attempts,including a bomb from the half-way line on 72 minutes to gain a six-point advantage.
The All Blacks star was then instrumental in landing the knockout blow,creating the line break that would end with a pick-and-go try for lock Brodie Retallick two minutes from time.
Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio slotted two penalty goals,but perhaps his side will be wondering how different the game would have been if they’d opted to kick for another and try to tie things up while down 9-6,instead of kicking for the corner and looking for the lead.
Starting five-eighth Jack Debreczeni,who left early for Lolesio after an HIA,missed a simple penalty goal attempt when down 3-0,another small moment the Brumbies would be regretting in hindsight.