Rugby: Jake's Brumbies get it right almost

Richard Kahui with the ball is tackled during the match against the Brumbies. Photo / Getty Images

The last time Jake White brought a rugby side to New Zealand for serious combat he wore the Springbok uniform. It was 2007 and his team was thrashed 33-6 by the All Blacks in Christchurch.

However several months later White and his Springboks claimed their greatest reward when they stood in the golden glow of late evening in Paris as repeat World Cup champions. All the agony of domestic in-fighting, rough results, political challenges and questions about his coaching tenure washed away that night.

Since then White has spread his talents without hitting a serious rugby note in New Zealand until last night at Tauranga.

He'd begun his coaching stint with the Brumbies in sketchy fashion as they struggled past the Force before White's will-he or won't-he stutter about applying to coach England.

Eventually he reiterated his allegiance to the Brumbies with an awkward description that his contract was not a jail sentence.

Before last night's match he figured the Chiefs might deliver some unified strength in memory of former NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs but White had some backroom bite from former coach Laurie Fisher with the forwards and legendary Wallaby Stephen Larkham as his backline assistant.

The Brumbies had a smattering of test players in their side but tacked on enough enthusiastic endeavour and skill to unsettle their hosts. They tended to the basics, they looked organised and unified in their patterns, they worked into the right areas of Baypark Stadium and disrupted the Chiefs rhythm.

Numerous handling errors came from both sides under the tight marking and hints about tries were rare, perhaps one apiece.

The deeper the game went, the more the Brumbies started to believe they could continue their progress, just as a team in green wore their belief in Paris.

White set the tone and agenda for the halftime chatter. His pleas were about more accuracy and continued attention from the Brumbies in what would be a renewed onslaught and critical inquisition from the Chiefs after the break. The Brumbies defensive line held but their discipline was stretched and as the penaltyfest continued, Aaron Cruden eased the Chiefs into the lead and the final quarter.

Who would blink as the tension rose? The Chiefs seemed to miss a trick when they kicked for touch rather than the posts.

It was a curious decision with Cruden in strong kicking form but Sona Taumalolo's driving try claimed the bacon soon after. All the Chiefs had to do was lock up their defence. However the Brumbies found the key, convinced the ref and television match official they had scored and the game seemed certain to be a stalemate.

Try telling that to Jackson Willison and the Chiefs today as they pinch themselves about their victory.