Sun 4 Aug 2013 | 09:34
The Chiefs go back-to-back with Super Rugby final win over the Brumbies

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The Chiefs successfully defended their Super Rugby title by beating the Brumbies 27-22 in an exciting final in Hamilton on Saturday night. They become one of just a handful of teams that have won the tournament back-to-back.

The Chiefs came from 10 points down to turn things around in the second half and join the likes of the Auckland Blues, Crusaders and Bulls in becoming just the fourth team to defend their title.

Two quick tries and a penalty in a short period of time fired the hosts into the lead, despite the visitors at one stage looking in control and on the way to their first title since 2004. The Chiefs then withheld a late onslaught to take the win.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie dismissed talk of becoming the next Super Rugby dynasty.

"I don't care to be honest. It's more about what happens within our group and we're really satisfied," he said. "It's a tough tournament. You've got to be good and consistent for long periods and that gave us the opportunity to play at home and that probably made a difference.

"Dynasty is the sort of thing you reflect back on. We've won a couple of titles and next year it will be about realising how hard we've had to work to achieve what we have done and trying to replicate that."

Sticking to an attacking gameplan, the Chiefs played attractive rugby and ended the tournament with more points and tries than any other side.

"They showed why they are a championship team," said disappointed Brumbies coach Jake White.

"They showed why they won last year and they showed why they came first in the whole competition by getting a home final."

Extended highlights of the match are below, with more to come shortly

9 Comments

  • paimoe
    1:32 AM 06/08/2013

    Congrats to the Chiefs

  • reality
    11:01 PM 05/08/2013

    I suppose it was impressive, all right. The Brumbies player did incredibly well not to end up in a heap on the ground and as you said, his offload while being smothered by three players was excellent.

  • stroudos
    9:28 PM 05/08/2013

    Well, yes, I mean if we're being picky you could say that it was a blatant shoulder-charge - not even in the "ooh he didn't wrap his arms" sense, but in this case leading with the point of the shoulder a-la-rugbyleague - so, a wholly illegal tackle.

    But why let that detract from a wonderful moment of "get-the-fuck-outta-here"...

    Got to say also, Brumbies 13 did bloody well to keep the ball alive.

  • reality
    5:53 PM 05/08/2013

    Am I the only one who thought that was just a big shoulder-charge? He smashed him with his right shoulder but his left arm was nowhere to be seen.

  • stroudos
    8:02 AM 05/08/2013

    4:25 - great impression of a brick wall there by Tameifuna!

  • 10:17 PM 04/08/2013

    It started with Waikato in the NPC. It's all cow country there. So they ring those damn cow bells like crazy. It can be quite deafening to be there at a match & I imagine visitors find it a bit distracting...

  • reality
    8:40 PM 04/08/2013

    Looks like a great match. I wonder though; are the Chiefs games frequented by herds of goats or do the fans purposefully make that noise?

  • 8:37 PM 04/08/2013

    I thought is was also a great game for a final. Full of drama. Very fast paced. I'm glad the Chiefs managed the comeback in the second half. However, I think both sides made it harder for themselves with many unforced errors. Especially penalties not put into touch... Criminal IMO. Loved that massive run from Brodie, god he's a strong runner. The Chiefs were also caught out a lot with their loose passing. It can be so devastating when it comes off. When it doesn't you can give away intercept 7 pointers.

  • bunn
    7:18 PM 04/08/2013

    What a great game full of pace, skill and physicality. Looking forward to the rugby championship!