Brumbies to 'rain' on Chiefs' parade
The Brumbies are looking for 'some assistance' from the game's biggest leveller, rain, when they face the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Final on Saturday.
Brumbies coach Jake White said he will be happy if there's plenty of rain at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
The forecast suggested there is a good chance of precipitation on Saturday.
"The Chiefs have got the most off-loads, the most tries [in the competition], so I hope it's pelting down," White told a media briefing after his team's arrival in New Zealand.
"There's no doubt that rain will be a leveller."
Slippery weather conditions at a sold-out Waikato Stadium are less likely to disrupt the Brumbies, as their kicking game plan relies on forcing a penalty or turnover in good field position through the likes of departing veteran flank George Smith.
The South African-flavoured style has yielded them more penalty goals than any other side this year, many of which have come from the boot of icy-cool kicker and former Waikato player Christian Lealiifano.
But even if it does bucket down, winning a final in Hamilton against the defending champions will be a tall order for the Brumbies.
No Australian or South African side has ever won any type of finals match in New Zealand in the competition's 18-year history.
The Brumbies have also had a gruelling four-week travel schedule that is similar to what the Sharks were forced to endure before falling to the Chiefs in the final last year.
Yet White seems more than happy to trumpet the underdog card.
"We've got no chance, we've travelled around the world, we've been in four time zones in four weeks," he said.
"But, that is what the romance of sport is all about."
Source: AAP
