Chiefs vs Brumbies - Super Rugby Final

For anyone up early enough and the SH fans on the board.  I'll be keeping an eye on Chiefs captain Craig Clarke ahead of his move to Connacht, Gareth Anscombe on account of his dad being Ulster head coach and me having a couple of pound on him to score the first try

For the Brumbies I want to see more of Speight after his amazing setup for Mogg's try last week against the Bulls.

Chiefs

1.Toby Smith , 2.Hika Elliot , 3.Ben Tameifuna , 4.Craig Clarke (c) , 5.Brodie Retallick , 6.Liam Messam , 7.Tanerau Latimer , 8.Matt Vant Leven , 9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10.Aaron Cruden , 11.Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12.Andrew Horrell , 13.Charlie Ngatai , 14.Lelia Masaga/Robbie Robinson , 15.Gareth Anscombe

Replacements : 16.Rhys Marshall , 17.Ben Afeaki , 18.Michael Fitzgerald , 19.Sam Cane , 20.Augustine Pulu , 21.Bundee Aki , 22.Robbie Robinson/Patrick Osborne.

Brumbies

1. Scott Sio ,2. Stephen Moore ,3. Ben Alexander ,4. Scott Fardy ,5. Sam Carter ,6. Peter Kimlin ,7. George Smith ,8. Ben Mowen (c) ,9. Nic White ,10. Matt Toomua ,11. Clyde Rathbone ",12. Christian Lealiifano ,13. Tevita Kuridrani ,14. Henry Speight ,15. Jesse Mogg

Replacements:16. Siliva Siliva ,17. Ruan Smith ",18. Fotu Auelua (,19. Colby Faingaa ,20. Ian Prior ,21. Andrew Smith ,22. Joe Tomane

Also be keeping an eye on George Smith after his amazing performance last week and Aaron Cruden who some, including Justin Marshall claim is even better than Dan Carter.

3-0 brumbies after 5

Well, its a good start for both teams - both had extended possession. Hopefully this bodes well for the match. 0 - 6 Brumbies @ 7:50

Brumbies off to a good start.  Lealiifano is top quality with the boot so they will know they can keep nicking 3 points.  Chiefs need to be a bit more disciplined.

I have to say i do think the Chiefs miss TNW a bit.  He just has that ability to find gaps and beat players which opens up huge amounts of space for the rest of the team.

Agree Ozzy. TNW is a game breaker. For a counter-attacking side like Chiefs he is a big loss.

Joubert allowing the Brumbies to be way off side strangely. Has the workload affected the worlds best ref?

20 minutes in Joubert's eyes have managed to focus on the Brumbies offside line.

Strange that Joubert allowed the long advantage here but not for Brumbies on the high tackle when they were attacking on on the 5 yard line. Good sequence by Chiefs here, but bad miss by Cruden.

Can the brumbies keep up with the chiefs?

ebop wrote:Can the brumbies keep up with the chiefs?

for now. long way to go.

Brumbies spoiling at almost every ruck, offside in defense and at the moment mostly getting away with a very negative game and Joubert struggling to spot it

How long can Joubert tolerate this cynical Brumbies play before someone is binned?

It's sad that jake white has brought the negative tactics of the springboks to the traditionally positive brumbies

Last sequence Brumbies were onside. Slowing down the ball at the breakdown is part of Jake White Rugby.

After seeing Aaron Cruden on those kicks I realised he is one of nature's less attractive creatures. I am sure his mother loves him though.

It's the Brumbies deliberately obstructing the 9 and riding around the ruck which is illegal.

Any chance of you popping the eye patch off this morning GE?

9-9 brumbies are hanging in there

Terrible, evil, cheating breakdown penalty by Chiefs.
Evil, I say.

Brumbies are good at the ruck I have to say, they don't mind if the opposition have the ball.

Shocking kick

9-9

Ozzy3213 wrote:Any chance of you popping the eye patch off this morning GE?

Brumbies are the most penalised team in super rugby mate - they are cynical by definition. I'm just calling a spade...

No mate, you're whining like a baby.  Both teams are playing on the limits and Joubert appears to be penalising them equally.

Apalling decision. The Brumbies all night have been interfering with the 9, off side at the ruck and they've done it there in front of both ref and tmo and that call is just wrong.

Why not talk about the try? Good take by Leali'ifano.

The TMO and commentators thought it was fine.............

Try brumbies, LLF on fire, 16-9 brumbies

Great pick up by Lealiifano for the try there.  This kid is a top quality player.

Great pick up by Lealiifano

Poor form GG

Fun 1st half. Would be better if fewer penalties.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Apalling decision. The Brumbies all night have been interfering with the 9, off side at the ruck and they've done it there in front of both ref and tmo and that call is just wrong.

Hahahaha.  Of course, everybody else is wrong and you are right.  I like the Chiefs a lot as they play some great stuff, but you are making me want the Brumbies to win this.

Even game in general, brumbies ahead on the scoreboard. Chiefs are playing within themselves or the brumbies are cramping their style. Well deserved lead IMO.

16-9 brumbies HT

Chiefs have a slight possessions and territory advantage. But agree both teams playing to their strengths. Overall score is even minus one break. Entertaining.

Hika Elliot made some mistakes and he's beginning to pi$$ me off. If he wanna be a future AB, sort that stuff out!!

ebop wrote:Even game in general, brumbies ahead on the scoreboard. Chiefs are playing within themselves or the brumbies are cramping their style. Well deserved lead IMO.

16-9 brumbies HT

Agree.  I know it's easier said than done as the Brumbies are great at spoiling, but the Chiefs need to try to throw of the shackles and open up second half.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:Apalling decision. The Brumbies all night have been interfering with the 9, off side at the ruck and they've done it there in front of both ref and tmo and that call is just wrong.

Hahahaha.  Of course, everybody else is wrong and you are right.  I like the Chiefs a lot as they play some great stuff, but you are making me want the Brumbies to win this.

Sean Fitzpatrick seems to agree with me.

Ah, that other impartial Kiwi.  Excellent news.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Ah, that other impartial Kiwi.  Excellent news.

I thought living in London that Fitzy is now a proper Englishman?

I think he's as English as Thomas Waldrom Doc!

Ahhh, Mister Waldrom, from fine olde (rather obese) English stock.

GE, the Brumbies are simply outsmarting the Chiefs at the breakdowns, how many times have I been told the Boks need to smarten up?

The Chiefs need to wake up and play the breakdowns better.

Precisely.

I think the Brumbies are going to need a few more points to win this game.  Chiefs will come hard in the final quarter and I can't see them going tryless.

Better pace by the Chiefs there.

Cruden having serious problems with the place kicking, will Gareth Anscombe take over?

He should have taken over at half time

Great plays by George Smith and Rathbone.

George Smith having another stormer, fantastic kick my Lealiifano and well taken by Rathbone.

He should have been kicking from the start!

Ozzy3213 wrote:He should have been kicking from the start!

George Smith?

Brumbies are playing like the boks.....white, legend coach!!