Chiefs playmaker Damien Mackenzie prevents Brumbies winger Tom Wright from grounding the ball on Saturday. Photo: Super Rugby Pacific
THE ACT Brumbies will now focus on the British and Irish Lions after they lost 31-17 to the Chiefs in Hamilton in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific semi-final clash.
The Brumbies are due to host the Lions in Canberra on Wednesday, July 9.
This weekend’s Super Rugby grand final has now become NZ rugby’s answer to NRL’s State of Origin with the Crusaders (South Island) to host the Chiefs (North Island) in Christchurch.
All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie kicked six penalty goals and converted both of winger Emoni Narawa’s tries for a match tally of 22 points in Saturday’s game.
Both sides scored three tries as Corey Toole (two) and Billy Pollard touched down for the Brumbies.
The penalties proved the difference in a match controlled by Australian referee Nic Berry as the Chiefs forced the Brumbies into penalty infringements.
The Chiefs lost lock Tupou Vaa’i to the sinbin for 10 minutes early in the game over a high tackle on Pollard.
The Brumbies scored with a try off a rolling maul try who then suffered a setback when Noah Lolesio failed a head check.
Narawa scored his first with a pick-and-go through the Brumbies ruck to score.
Two McKenzie penalties gave the hosts the lead (13-7) before Brumby Jack Debreczeni set up an unconverted try for Corey Toole (13-12). Two more penalties saw the Chiefs led 19-12 lead at half-time.
The Brumbies scored with a second try by Toole before Narawa, two more Mackenzie penalties and another try by Josh Jacomb sealed the result.
Tom Wright thought he’d got the Brumbies back in the game but an unbelievable try-saver from McKenzie stopped a certain try.
NORTH VS SOUTH
In Christchurch on Friday, Christian Lio-Willie dived on a loose ball in the 86th minute to seal the Crisaders’ 21-14 win over the (Auckland) Blues.
All Blacks superstar Will Jordan came up in the big moments, scoring a double to break the deadlock as the hosts reeled in a 14-point deficit for the victory.
The win ensures the final will be played at Apollo Projects Stadium, the last game before the Crusaders move to their new stadium, according to media reports.
