Chiefs Defeat Brumbies 37-17 Reaching Super Rugby Final

Damian McKenzie led the Waikato Chiefs to a 37-17 victory over the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, delivering a 22-point haul through accurate kicking and all-around play. Despite the Brumbies scoring three tries and having greater possession, their indiscipline and the loss of Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio to concussion hampered their efforts. The Chiefs, runners-up in the previous two seasons and seeking their first title since 2013, will face the Canterbury Crusaders in the final, who defeated the Auckland Blues 21-14 and are aiming for their eighth title in nine seasons. McKenzie set up two tries, saved one by holding up a Brumbies player over the line, and converted six penalties and two conversions, highlighting the Chiefs' composed and clinical performance. The Brumbies scored first with a try from Billy Pollard during a period when the Chiefs were a man down due to a yellow card, but the Chiefs quickly responded with tries from Emoni Narawa and Josh Jacomb. Both teams scored three tries each, but McKenzie's near-perfect kicking and leadership proved decisive in securing the Chiefs' place in the final.