McKenzie stars as Chiefs hammer Brumbies

03/03/2024 08:30

SUPER RUGBY SUNDAY WRAP: A Damian McKenzie-inspired Chiefs reinforced their Super Rugby title credentials Sunday with a statement win over the Brumbies, a week after upsetting the Crusaders.

The Chiefs are a proven class act away from home, winning seven of their last eight on the road, and they kept the momentum going in Melbourne, where all Round Two matches were played this weekend.

In a re-match of last year's semifinal that the Chiefs won, they again proved too hot to handle for the Brumbies in a resounding 46-12 thrashing.

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It was a setback for the Canberra side after opening their season with a convincing 27-point victory over the Melbourne Rebels last week.

All Blacks playmaker McKenzie suffered a rib injury in their epic 29-33 defeat of the Crusaders to begin their campaign, but was declared fit and in the thick of the action Sunday.

He pulled the strings at the back, turning defence into attack to constantly pile on pressure, while scoring a try and adding 16 points with the boot in the six tries to two bonus-point win.

"He's huge for us, he's a very experienced campaigner," Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said of McKenzie.

"We've got some good leaders in the team, but he really steps up and just owns the attack."

Asked if it was the perfect game by the Chiefs, Jacobson admitted it was close.

"Really happy with how we went. Last week we probably had one half, played really good footie, and dropped off big-time in the second half," he said.

"So really proud with how the boys stayed at it for the full 80 [minutes]."

The Chiefs started strongly, surging 10-0 clear after a counter-attacking try from Xavier Roe.

The dangerous Corey Toole pulled five points back for the Brumbies, but the Chiefs dominated possession.

Further tries from fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo and McKenzie sent the New Zealanders to the break with a 25-7 advantage and there was no let-up this time in the second half, bagging three more tries, including a brace from Cortez Ratima.

The scorers:

For Chiefs:
Tries: Ratima 2, Nanai-Seturo, Roe, McKenzie, Ioane
Cons: McKenzie 5
Pens: McKenzie 2

Brumbies:
Tries: Toole 2
Con: Lolesio

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Kaylum Boshier, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 3 George Dyer, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O'Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Daniel Rona.

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Ollie Sapsford, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Tamati Tua.

Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
TMO: Brett Cronan