Chiefs teach Brumbies a harsh lesson

The Chiefs, two-time champions, outscored the home side by six tries to two in a sublime display of pace, power and precision – resulting in a 48-23 blow-out..

This was achieved despite a wonky scrum, the only aspect of the game where the Brumbies had the edge.

The result means the Chiefs reclaim first place on the competition standings, which they conceded to the defending-champion Highlanders 24 hours earlier.

There was great anticipation for this match – the top of the Australian conference against the top of the New Zealand conference.

But really it was a one-sided match, especially as the game wore on.

As against the Stormers at Newlands, the Brumbies fell away as the game went on.

But also it was significant that in both matches David Pocock was nullified. In this match the Chiefs enjoyed many turnovers. And then their attacking was wonderful, their tries a delight.

The game started slowly. The match in Johannesburg started like the popping of a champagne cork; this one screwed off the top of a battle of flat beer. After a quarter of an hour the score was 6-0 to the Brumbies' from two penalties, both kicked by Christian Leali'ifano, the first when Same Cane was offside, the second when Aaron Cruden tackled late.

Then came the first try and it started with a turnover, which Taleni Seu won off Robbie Coleman. Quickly the Chiefs went right where Charlie Ngatai kept the defenders in check till he passed to unmarked Toni Pulu who accelerated over in the corner. 6-5 after 16 minutes.

That is how the score stayed for ten minutes while Joe Tomane burst throw four would-be tacklers, Aidan Toua counterattacked form a kick and Damian McKenzie got to five metres from the Brumbies' line. But it was two kicks that did not find touch that set the Chiefs whooping down the field. The first was a long kick from a penalty by Matt Toomua and a counter by James Lowe. Then 20-year-old McKenzie broke astonishingly when any forward movement seemed impossible and Brad Weber and Cruden carried the attack on. The Brumbies won a turnover but Tomás Cubelli chose to kick the ball to Lowe instead of into touch. The Chiefs slowly built their attack till McKenzie gave to Lowe who put life into the attack by darting down the left. Lowe gave to Cruden who sped ahead before passing back to Lowe who enjoyed scoring, but then he plays the game with a chuckle. McKenzie converted and the Chiefs had the lead, but not for long.

Cubelli broke through a line-out to set the Brumbies on the attack. The Chiefs had a defensive scrum but decided on passing, which came unstuck when Tevita Kuridrani thumped into Cruden. This gave the Brumbies a five-metre scrum from which they bashed till Scott Sio scored under the posts. The Brumbies had the lead back at 13-12, but not for long.

Stephen Moore was penalised for obstruction at the kick-off and McKenzie goaled. 15-13 to the Chiefs. And the lead grew immediately.

From the Brumbies deep kick-off Ngatai broke fast and long on the left. He gave to Lowe who managed to fling the ball inside as he was nudged into touch. The Chiefs went right and Cruden shot through a gap before passing a long pass to unmarked Tom Sanders on his right who scored with Pulu free on his outside. That made the half-time score 20-13 after 15 points had been scored in the last four minutes of the half.

The Chiefs owned the second half.

From the kick-off to start the half, Jordan Smiler, who was outside his 22, knocked the ball back to Toua who kicked directly into touch, giving the Chiefs a line-out well inside the Brumbies' 22. The Chiefs bashed, the Brumbies were penalised and McKenzie goaled. 23-13 after 42 minutes and three minutes later, when Sio was penalised for offside, McKenzie goaled again. 26-13.

But the Brumbies do not lie down. They kicked a penalty out and Pocock broke infield from the line-out and gave to Kuridrani. This set the Brumbies bashing at the line till tall Scott Fardy picked up with one hand, dived over the mass lying at the line and stretching scored a try. 26-20 after 54 minutes.

Three minutes later McKenzie goaled a penalty when Fardy was offside and four minutes after that Leali'ifano did in like manner when Pulu tackled late. 29-23 in 61 minutes.

The Brumbies did not score again but the Chiefs certainly did.

The Chiefs attacked and had a scrum six metres from the Brumbies line. Weber got a pass to Cruden who ran up to the Brumby defenders and then left-footed kicked a diagonal which Lowe caught on the full and scored. It was a try exquisite in its simplicity. 36-23 after 65 minutes.

From the kickoff Lowe chipped from five metres inside his 22, gathered the bouncing ball and gave inside to McKenzie who gave further inside to Weber who raced away for a try. 41-23 after 66 minutes.

The Chiefs can do things quickly!

A penalty gave the Brumbies a five-metre line-out but Seu won their throw. Two penalties gave the Chiefs a five-metre line-out which they mauled at the front. The maul was stopped which gave the Brumbies a scrum, five metres from their line. The Chiefs won a tighthead and bashed but were held up which gave them another five-metre scrum, and this time McKenzie cut through for his seventh Super Rugby try. The final whistle went on 48-23.

Man of the Match: The most obvious candidates are Sam Cane, Brad, Weber, Damian McKenzie, James Lowe and our choice, Aaron Cruden whose judgement, skill, attack and defence were excellent.

The scorers:

For the Brumbies:

Tries: Sio, Fardy

Cons: Lealiifano 2

Pens: Lealiifano 3

For the Chiefs:

Tries: Pulu, Lowe 2, Sanders, Weber, McKenzie

Cons: McKenzie 3

Pens: McKenzie 4

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Joe Powell, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Taleni Seu, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.     

Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 19 James Tucker, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Seta Tamanivalu, 23 Shaun Stevenson.

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

Assistant referees: William Houston (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)

TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)