Chiefs player ratings vs Brumbies | Super Rugby Pacific

For round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific, the Chiefs welcomed the Brumbies to FMG Stadium in Waikato.

The Brumbies were looking to continue their good run against New Zealand opposition in 2022. Both teams exchanged tries back and forth in a free-flowing game. The Brumbies were able to execute when it mattered with some silky skills to covert on their entries in the opposition 22. 

The Chiefs showed a dogged effort to stay in the match, but the Brumbies showed their class to shut them out with a clinical performance. 

In the end, it was the Brumbies ability to take the points on offer from Lolesio’s kicking off the tee that separated the two teams, running out winners 38-28. 

Here’s how the Chiefs rated:

1. Aidan Ross – 6/10

Was pushed off the scrum on a Chiefs feed which set up the Brumbies' second try. Was subbed for Norris in the 50th minute.

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5

Was at his bullocking best, and was there to run on to a number of offloads from his fellow forwards. No one was getting through his channel in defence either.

3. Angus Ta’avao – 6

Was an entertaining scrum battle between him and the veteran James Slipper and is proving his credentials as one of the best scrummagers in the country.

4. Josh Lord – 6

Was targeted three times in the lineout and even used his big mitts to reel in some stray throws. Won a penalty for his team by holding Tom Wright in the tackle to stop the Brumbies attack.

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6

Rolled up the sleeves and made 13 hard-fought carries in tight. Made five lineout grabs in a solid night for the Chiefs set-piece.

6. Luke Jacobson – 6

Continues to establish himself as one of the hardest working backrowers in the competition. Popped a superb little offload close to the line to put Ratima over for a try. Was a pinged a few times for offside.

7. Sam Cane – 6.5

Just hours after celebrating the arrival of his first child, Cane suited up to lead the Chiefs and toiled hard all night. Was shut out at the breakdown but still managed to record a team-high 14 tackles.

8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 7

Busted tackles and got over the advantage line all game. Made some big metres by caring off the back of the scrum and scored a try off the back of the Cheifs lineout to keep the Chiefs in the match. Backed it up on defence with 10 tackles.

9. Cortez Ratima – 6.5

The young scrumhalf was a live-wire, providing fast ball to his backs and testing the Brumbies will clever kicks from the base of the ruck. Ran onto an offload to score the Chiefs second try.

10. Bryn Gatland – 5.5

Varied it up in attack but struggled to get his backline into the game. Was breathing a sigh of relief after he stopped a Brumbies try from a Josh Valetini charge down. Subbed off for Narawa in the 55th minute.

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6

Was solid in defence, not allowing any traffic to come down his side and making important covering tackles late in the game. Was pretty well defended and was forced to step through heavy congestion to find any gaps in the Brumbies.

12. Quinn Tupaea – 6.5

Was his typical abrasive self in close quarters with some hard running through the middle, making 38 metres and beating 4 defenders.

13. Alex Nankivell – 7

Continues to mount a case for an All Blacks jersey. Scored the Chiefs' opening try and challenged the Brumbies defence all night. Found the outside shoulders of his opponents to break the line for 52 metres off 11 carries.

14. Jonah Lowe – 6

Wasn’t presented with much attacking ball in the first half so went in looking for work around the fringes. Found some space as the game opened up in the second half.

15. Kaleb Trask – 6

Was peppered with high balls all night but did reasonably well. Spilt the pill a few times when he was asked to step into first receiver but found his way into the game late.

Reserves:

16. Bradley Slater – N/A

17. Ollie Norris – 5

Came on for Ross and shored up the scrum. Added a nice bit of dynamism to the front row for the Chiefs.

18. Atu Moli – N/A

Got on the park late for his 50th match. Was pinged for offside late in the game.

19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 5.5

Distinguishable in his multi-coloured headgear, it made it easy to track his work rate around the park. Got involved in everything and scored the Chiefs' final try to close the gap.

20. Samipeni Finau – N/A

Came on late in the game.

21. Xavier Roe – 6.5

Entered the game early in the second half to inject some energy into the game. He proved a handful for the Brumbies.

22. Rameka Poihipi – N/A

23. Emoni Narawa – 5.5

Came on to play fullback and the Chiefs backline sparked into action. Made some nice runs and looked confident in the air.