The Chiefs beat ACT Brumbies and will face the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final
HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hamilton-based Chiefs will travel to Christchurch to play the Crusaders in next weekend's Super Rugby final after beating the ACT Brumbies 37-17 on Saturday to reach the title match for the third-straight year.
Winger Emoni Narawa scored two tries for the Chiefs and Corey Toole scored a double for the Brumbies as each side scored three tries.
Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie separated the teams, kicking six penalties and two conversions for 22 points to surpass 200 points for the season.
Fullback Josh Jacomb scored the Chiefs' third try in the 64th minute to establish a 20-point margin and McKenzie's try-saving tackle on Tom Wright two minutes later snuffed out a potential Brumbies rally.
'The Brumbies came out of the blocks fast as we knew they would and I just love the way we were really composed and stuck to our game,' McKenzie said. 'We put the ball in front of our forwards and our set piece was great tonight.'
The Brumbies were Australia's last hope in the playoffs as they attempted to win the Super Rugby title for the first time since 2004. Their defeat means Australian teams are now 0-21 in Super Rugby matches in New Zealand.
The Brumbies suffered a major blow when Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio failed a head injury assessment in the 11th minute. The kicking game was integral to the Brumbies' plan and while they used it to keep pressure on the Chiefs and to gain field position, Lolesio's early departure was a turning point.
The Brumbies had the Chiefs under defensive pressure for long periods in both halves but while hooker Billy Pollard opened the scoring with a try from a lineout drive in the 15th minute the Chiefs were later able to neutralize that threat.
Pollard's early try followed his double in the Brumbies' quarterfinal win over the Wellington-based Hurricanes. He finishes with 11 tries for the season as does Toole, who scored his tries on either side of halftime.
Narawa scored his first try in the 20th minute, picking the ball up from the base of an attacking ruck and scything through the Brumbies' defense.
Toole scored off a precise cross-kick from replacement flyhalf Jack Debreczeni, who previously played for the Chiefs. But penalties to McKenzie gave the Chiefs a 19-12 lead at halftime.
Toole scored three minutes after the restart after a lone dash down the left-wing touch. The Brumbies were right in the match at that point, trailing 19-17.
But Narawa scored his second four minutes later to begin a run of 18 unanswered points by the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will now attempt to go one step further after losing in the final to the Crusaders and the Blues in each of the last two years. They will attempt in Christchurch next Saturday to win their third Super Rugby title and first since 2013 which the Crusaders are seeking their 13th championship.
___
AP rugby:
https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce Had Seven Words After Announcement on Saturday
Travis Kelce Had Seven Words After Announcement on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is getting ready for his 13th season in the NFL, eyeing his fourth Super Bowl ring alongside Patrick Mahomes. Advertisement Despite holding a busy schedule, Kelce was able to make his way to Kansas City for the recent organized team activities (OTAs). He also attended all three days of the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp from Tuesday to Thursday. Now, Kelce is preparing to host the fifth annual Tight End University (TEU), which he founded in 2021 alongside San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle and former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen. The four-day event starts Monday and is held on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. However, the event will have more than NFL athletes. Recently, TEU revealed that country singer Jordan Davis will be performing during Tuesday's Tight Ends & Friends Concert. "🚨SPECIAL GUEST REVEAL🚨," TEU wrote on Instagram. "We're excited to announce that @jordandavisofficial will be hitting the stage at the Tight Ends & Friends Concert on June 24th at @bbowlnashville 🔥 Jordan is one of several incredible artists taking the stage, so don't miss out on this night of live music and good vibes!" Advertisement On Saturday, Kelce expressed his excitement for Davis' upcoming performance, reposting the news on his Instagram story with the caption: "LFG!! SEE YOU GUYS IN NASHVILLE!! @TE_UNIVERSITY" Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis KelceScreenshot from Travis Kelce's Instagram Story At TEU, players will be able to "bond, collaborate with, and learn amongst their peers while participating in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation and more." Along with current NFL stars, retired players, such as Olsen, also attend the camp. It has recently featured stars such as the Jacksonville Jaguars' Evan Engram, the Detroit Lions' Sam LaPorta and the Philadelphia Eagles' Dallas Goedert. Even Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has made an appearance. Related: T.J. Watt Bracing For Punishment From NFL Before 2025 Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Crusaders' 13th Super Rugby title: A tale of redemption and resilience
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — In Super Rugby, the more things change the more they remain the same. A different competition this year with only 11 teams yielded a familiar result. The Christchurch-based Crusaders are champions for the 13th time and the eighth time in the last nine years. The Hamilton-based Chiefs are runners-up for the third time in the last three finals. This year familiarity didn't equal inevitability. The Chiefs went into the final as marginal favorites after sitting in first place for most of the season and finishing in that spot, as top-seeds for the playoffs. Though they stumbled in the first playoff round, losing at home to the Auckland-based Blues, they advanced to the semifinals as the top-ranked losers and convincingly beat the ACT Brumbies in the semifinals. But if ever there was a case of one team wanting it more, it was the Crusaders who were desperate to atone for their 2024 season in which, in their first year under head coach Rob Penney, they won only four matches and finished well outside their playoffs. Penney was seen as lucky to keep his job. Other teams might have been more ruthless. But the Crusaders gave him a second chance and he atoned on Saturday with his first Super Rugby title. The Crusaders' were determined to win for Penney, for their fans and in their last match at the 'temporary' stadium they have called home since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake destroyed their former headquarters at Lancaster Park. The Chiefs were on the back foot from the start and though they trailed by only one point at halftime and then for 31 minutes in the second half, they were only hanging on. The accuracy of the Crusaders' kicking game and the eagerness with which they chased kicks kept the Chiefs pinned mostly in their own half. They escaped twice and scored tries but spent the crucial final minutes of the match trapped within their own territory. 'It was a classic final, two great teams going at it and a small margin,' Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said. 'The Crusaders did really well to win the halfway and play at the right end of the field. 'I felt we had some good attack when we got into their half, we put some good pressure on them but we just didn't play enough footy down there.' The Chiefs did their best to send off head coach Clayton McMillan with his first Super Rugby title. In his five years in charge, McMillan has taken the Chiefs to the final three times and the semifinals twice. That followed a barren season under former British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland. It wasn't to be. McMillan will leave New Zealand to coach Munster in Ireland without the trophy he deserves. Close contests, uncertain future Now, questions will be asked about what it all means for the competition. Already, there is contention about the lucky loser rule, introduced this season which allowed the Chiefs to reach the final after a playoff loss. The tournament will continue next year with 11 teams but what of the future? This season began with a number of high-scoring games in summer conditions and margins were typically close, indicating a tight competition. Moana Pasifika had its best-ever season under new captain Ardie Savea and only narrowly missed the playoffs. 'We've seen a whole lot of upsets, we've seen lots of hoodoos broken and then on the pitch I think the new rules and the work of the match officials have set it up to play some really entertaining and combative rugby,' Super Rugby boss Jack Mesley told Radio New Zealand. 'The stat was something like, I think we had 43 percent of games that were decided by only seven points or less. 'We saw the teams that were on the bottom of the ladder last year really change their fortunes. It was the closest competition in points since 2004 so I think a lot of those teams just got better.' Still, while television audiences crept up by around six percent while actual match attendance remained static. 'We probably haven't delivered off the field and given fans all the tools that should go in and around a great product that we have on the field so we're working on that,' Mesley said. 'We took some pretty good steps I think this year.' ___ AP rugby: recommended in this topic
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Daniel Ricciardo Slammed by Fans Over Controversial Social Media Post
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is under fire from fans after making a controversial social media post. Since leaving the F1 grid, Ricciardo has remained silent. He stepped away from the sport and the spotlight in totality. He broke his silence on June 18, opting to release a controversial advertisement on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Ricciardo partnered with the Australian sports betting company Dabble. Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo pose for a photo before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on November 3, 2024 in Orchard Park, New... Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo pose for a photo before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on November 3, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. More Photo by TimothyHe announced a competition that will have a winner and a guest who will travel from an English airport to the United States for an American football weekend extravaganza. The prize offers flights, a three-night stay, VIP tickets to the tailgate party, and a meet-and-greet with the driver. The contest is named The Ultimate Texas Tailgate with Daniel Ricciardo. To enroll, people have to create an account on the Dabble app. I've given retirement a crack, but It's not for me. So, I've teamed up with the legends at Dabble to start a Tailgate business... Check it out at What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit… — Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) June 18, 2025 All over the world, sports gambling is growing as more areas continue to legalize it. In the United States, sports betting is everywhere, essentially inescapable for a sports fan. As the industry grows, people are becoming more and more aware of gambling addictions and the risks of making them more accessible. The aftermath of Ricciardo's announcement was a wave of negative comments under the post, many of which were disappointed by his promotion of a gambling company. "Would have supported the tailgate business idea without the direct link to a betting company, man. Disappointed," a user commented. "What a shame. You're shilling for a gambling company. JFC. Surely you don't need the money that badly," another said. "Seriously mate? Money that tight is it? Of all the things you choose to put your name and face on you chose gambling? So bloody disappointing," a third added. "Yikes! Considering Aussies gamblers have the highest losses per capita in the world and a high rate of teenagers on gambling sites, this isn't it DR," a person posted. "Come on mate I'm a massive fan but this isn't at all something good to put your name to. Gambling destroys lives, surely there's better things to work with," a fifth person said. Ricciardo is far from the only athlete to take money from a gambling company, but his set of fans have shared their disappointment over his willingness to promote the vice. The Australian racer left F1 back in 2024 after being replaced during the season by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls. Red Bull Racing gave him another opportunity with the team in 2023, hoping he would beat out teammate Yuki Tsunoda and rebuild his confidence, but it never clicked. After several races, the higher-ups at Red Bull decided to give Lawson a look, leaving Ricciardo on the outside looking in. Since leaving, Ricciardo has promoted his wine company and clothing brand while staying away from the limelight until now. Given the negative reaction, it will be interesting to see if he continues to advertise Dabble or calls an end to the tailgate party.
