Brumbies' skills won the day

It was a change in tactics and a greater focus on skill that saw the Brumbies overcome the Chiefs in Canberra on Saturday.

The Brumbies ended the Chiefs two-year domination of Super Rugby with an epic 32-30 play-off win in an eight-try thriller.

The two-time winners shot out of the blocks to lead 22-3 after 28 minutes, only for the Chiefs to storm back and level the scores at 25-all with under 30 minutes left.

But the Brumbies hung on with a powerful maul and a try to flank Jarrad Butler on the hour eventually proving to be the winner.

All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden had the chance to send the game into extra-time, but missed a sideline conversion attempt after replacement Gareth Anscombe's try three minutes from time.

"We knew it was going to have to be a full 80-minute performance, you just cannot knock a side like that over easily," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said about a game that went right down to the wire.

"We're very proud of that effort and you've got to give the Chiefs a lot credit on what they've done over the last three years.

"It's been an outstanding effort to be there."

Asked about the change in tactics – when the Brumbies surprised the Chiefs with the early tempo of their game, opting for a ball-in-hand approach rather than a kicking contest – the Brumbies captain spoke of the work they had done in the build-up to the game.

"We've been working hard on our skills, not only over the last few weeks but probably over the last couple of months, getting good transfer into the game and it's exciting to play," Mowen said.

"If we keep getting results like that you have to keep backing it," he added.

The tight two-point win will ease some of pain of a heartbreaking grand final defeat last year.

But the Brumbies have set their sights on a title to make up for that five-point loss to the Chiefs.

However, the Brumbies face a growing injury toll with Sam Carter, Jesse Mogg, Leon Power, Josh Mann-Rea and Lealiifano all being knocked around in the fast-paced, brutal contest.

"We struggled towards the back end of the second half, but everyone dug deep and it was ugly, but you just need to win in finals rugby," said Brumbies flank Jarrad Butler.

"We knew they were going to come back all guns blazing, but we had nothing to lose. They were able to capitalise on possession and we held out in the end."