Chiefs to defend enduring Kiwi record against Aussie side tonight

The Chiefs are hosting the second Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific semifinal despite losing 20-19 to the Blues in last Saturday’s qualifying final in Hamilton.

That was an advantage they gained from finishing top, but their lives have run out.

They are playing with their season on the line, and no ‘lucky loser’ concept will spare them if they were to suffer an unthinkable defeat to the Brumbies.

Clayton McMillan’s side remains strong favourites to knock over the top Australian side.

The Chiefs will be desperate to give coach McMillan a trophy on his farewell after three defeats in four finals in his tenure.

As for Stephen Larkham’s team, getting past this stage has been beyond them in the last three seasons after semifinal defeats in New Zealand against the Blues (twice) and the Chiefs in 2023.

The Canberra side are also burdened by Australia’s hideous record in playoff matches in New Zealand.

Since Super Rugby’s inception in 1996, no Australian team has won in the playoffs when crossing the Tasman.

The Brumbies finished third in the regular season and were 35-28 winners over the Hurricanes in their qualifying final in Canberra.

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says the Brumbies have proven themselves as the top Australian side as they are hardened, well-drilled and know how to close out a tight contest.

He says their performance against the Hurricanes shows they can be clinical and composed under pressure.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says last year and the year before, the build-up to the game was a little bit too emotional.

He says they will make sure that they keep that in check tonight.

The two sides have 16 wins apiece from their 33 meetings since Super Rugby began in 1996, with one draw.

While the Chiefs have won their last four clashes, the Brumbies have collected victories in Hamilton as recently as 2020 and 2022.

The Chiefs will face the Brumbies at 7.05 tonight.

The winner will take on the Crusaders in the final after they edged the Blues 21-14 last night.