The Waikato Chiefs defeated the ACT Brumbies 19-6 on Saturday, setting up an all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final between the Canterbury Crusaders and the Waikato Chiefs.
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick scored the lone try of a gruelling semi-final match with two minutes remaining to seal victory and ensure that Hamilton will also host next Saturday’s championship match.
When the Chiefs successfully defended their Super Rugby title in 2013, Retallick was one of only two players remaining from the Chiefs’ 2012 championship team.
The Chiefs suffered only one loss during the regular season to earn the top seed for the knockout round.
The final will be a fascinating contest, as it will feature numerous All Blacks and a Crusaders team seeking a seventh consecutive title after a 52-15 semi-final victory over the Auckland Blues on Friday.
Co-captain Brad Weber was relieved of his duties following the Chiefs’ 15th victory in 16 matches.
“I feel like we have probably won in every way possible this season and that was a hell of a grind against a good Brumbies team,” said Weber, who is poised to join Stade Francais.
“Couldn’t ask for anything more than that, (I’m) stoked that it’s against the Crusaders too, they have been the benchmark for what feels like 90 percent of my career.
“If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best.”
In wet conditions in Hamilton, neither the Chiefs nor the Brumbies were willing to take risks, resulting in a conservative display.
The game devolved into a tactical contest as both teams elected not to run the ball against defences that offered few openings.
Damian McKenzie was once again a key figure for the Chiefs, converting all four of his penalty kicks and assisting in the half-break that led to Retallick’s try.
McKenzie’s kick gave the hosts a 6-3 lead at halftime, while Brumbies’ opposite number Noah Lolesio scored penalties either side of the break.
Late in the first half, Wallabies playmaker Lolesio entered the game in place of the injured Jack Debreczeni.
The Brumbies, who were crowned champions in 2001 and 2004, continue to wait for their next title.
Nic White, captain of the sole Australian team to qualify for the semifinals, praised the team’s tenacity.
“We knew it was going to be a hell of a wrestle, we said all week we were going to come over here and throw everything at them and we did,” he said.
“Fair play to them, they held on, we held on — it was always going to come down to one moment. They are a good side, but certainly we did everything we could out there.”
