Rugby: Chiefs scramble home at last

Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche surges forward in last night's match against the brumbies in Hamilton. photo / Getty Images

Chiefs 10
Brumbies 7

Semifinal footy is heading to Hamilton for the first time in 14 years of Super Rugby after the Chiefs slogged their way to a nervy victory over the Brumbies in cold and rain last night.

Having banked the four points, the Chiefs can finish no lower than second, and will top the ladder if the Sharks upset the Bulls in the final round-robin match in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Richard Kahui was a late scratching because of the calf injury incurred against the Hurricanes last week.

Last night's battle of attrition left them with further injury concerns over halfback Brendon Leonard and both starting props, Ben May and James McGougan.

The game never reached any great heights - a pre-match downpour saw to that - but the Chiefs recovered from a slow start to dominate the second half and squeeze the life out of the plucky Brumbies.

"We had to win and we did it," coach Ian Foster said.

"We are where we want to be and it is exciting. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't the style of game we wanted to play. But we handled the nerves pretty well."

A Stephen Donald penalty 12 minutes from time settled the match but the Brumbies were in it right to the death after somehow keeping the Chiefs at bay through the second half.

"I haven't seen the tackle stats but I'd suggest we did 90 per cent of the tackling," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said.

"But not one of our boys should have their head down. They were brave. They put a lot of energy into that and showed a lot of character."

The close-loss bonus point pushed the Brumbies into fourth but they will need a miracle to stay there.

"We'll see what the rugby gods can do for us," Friend said.

The first 30 minutes catered mainly for the purist - assuming a purist is someone who has a fancy for reset scrums, botched lineouts and an endless succession of midfield bombs.

The Brumbies belied their need for a bonus-point win by hoofing away a decent supply of early ball.

The Chiefs weren't facing the same try-scoring imperative but they started the match as if zero would suffice.

Lelia Masaga's eventful night began when he was smashed by Stirling Mortlock while trying to field a bomb.

He was hammered again in the Chiefs' first serious tryline raid, Brumbies halfback Patrick Phibbs denying him with a tackle that appeared high.

With the game threatening to descend from wretched into unwatchable, Brumbies fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper brought a spark.

His arcing run to the Chiefs 22 panicked the defence, but Masaga still should have covered his hopeful grubber. Instead the winger dallied and Francis Fainifo ghosted in for the try.

The Brumbies' lead was short-lived.

Stunned into life, the Chiefs at last shifted the ball and skipper Mils Muliaina ran into space before releasing Masaga down the right flank.

The winger chopped infield and was cut down by Mortlock but the Chiefs recycled the ball quickly and Donald barged his way over from close range.

The rain that had stayed away throughout the first half arrived in earnest five minutes into the second.

Donald had a chance to put the Chiefs in front with an angled penalty attempt but his kick rebounded off the upright and the deadlock remained as the game entered the final quarter.

Callum Bruce looked likely to settle the matter after Leonard charged down Ashley-Cooper's clearing kick but the Brumbies fullback recovered to pull off a miraculous tackle and force the ball loose just short of the line.

The Chiefs' pressure was relentless, however, and Donald didn't miss with his next attempt after Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds infringed in front of his posts.

Edmonds was sent to the bin but still the Brumbies didn't crack, their hopes expiring only after a missed touchfinder from a penalty right on the final hooter.

Foster will be an interested spectator when the Blues take on the Crusaders tonight.

Last night his mind was already turning to next week's semifinal.

"We are delighted to be there, but it is all about nailing next week now."

Chiefs: Stephen Donald try; Donald con, pen
Brumbies: Francis Fainifo try; Stirling Mortlock con
Half-time: 7-7