Chiefs crush Brumbies 37–17 to book Super Rugby final spot
Damian Mckenzie contributed with 22 points
©Photo by Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Chiefs 37-17 Brumbies, FMG Stadium Waikato
The Chiefs powered their way into a third consecutive Super Rugby Pacific final with a dominant 37–17 win over the Brumbies on June 14, 2025, at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
The match saw fullback Damian McKenzie produce a kicking masterclass, racking up 22 points off the tee and steering his side with authority from start to finish.
Kick-off was at 9:10 PM local time, and the Brumbies drew first blood. In the 10th minute, hooker Billy Pollard crashed over from a rolling maul to score the opening try, which was converted to give the visitors a 7–0 lead.
Things looked even brighter for the Australians when Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i was shown a yellow card just two minutes later for a high tackle.
However, the Chiefs responded strongly. Emoni Narawa picked from a ruck and dived over in the 20th minute to level the score. McKenzie slotted two penalties in the 25th and 30th minutes to give the Chiefs a 13–7 lead.
The Brumbies answered back in the 35th minute through winger Corey Toole, who finished well in the corner. The conversion was missed, leaving the halftime score at 13–12 in favour of the hosts.
The second half was all Chiefs. Just two minutes in, Emoni Narawa grabbed his second try following a slick backline move. McKenzie added the conversion to push the score to 20–12.
The Brumbies struggled with discipline, and McKenzie punished them with two more penalties in the 50th and 55th minutes to stretch the lead to 26–12.
In the 60th minute, Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb added another try after exploiting a defensive lapse. McKenzie converted with ease, pushing the lead to a comfortable 29–12.
The Brumbies hit back briefly in the 65th minute through another try from Corey Toole, narrowing the gap to 29–17.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as McKenzie kept the scoreboard ticking. Two more penalties in the 70th and 75th minutes capped off a clinical performance from the boot, taking his personal tally to 22 points and sealing the final score at 37–17.
