'There's been quality at the Chiefs for years and years, long before Warren arrived back there.'
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has backed his men to clinch an against-the-odds Super Rugby victory against the unbeaten Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Australian conference leaders are winless in Hamilton since 2007 and haven't posted a victory anywhere in New Zealand since 2014.
The Brumbies lost a heartbreaker after the siren last week against the Highlanders and have only beaten Kiwi opposition three times since in the past four years.
But they thrashed the Chiefs 54-17 in Canberra last season and despite a mumps outbreak derailing their preparation this week, McKellar is confident of an upset.
"They've got a fair bit of talent there but we've got a good side as well," McKellar said.
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"We had some tough circumstances last week. We were 20 seconds away for a famous win for our club, it was real backs to the wall.
"There was certainly disappointment after the game and frustration around a few decisions.
"That's rugby and we've moved on.
"We've got full confidence and belief in our own ability as well.
"We've come over here to do a job."
Warren Gatland was last at the Chiefs in 2007 before coaching Wales to four Six Nations titles in 12 years and he'll lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 2021.
McKellar said the Chiefs have been quality for a long time but admitted Gatland has had an immediate impact on his return to Hamilton this season.
"There's been quality at the Chiefs for years and years, long before Warren arrived back there but he's obviously had a positive impact on them, no doubt," McKellar said.
"They rolled the three-times champions (Crusaders) a couple of weeks ago so you have to respect them."
Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney will start with last week's hat-trick hero Folau Faingaa rested, while winger Andy Muirhead also gets his first run-on of the season together with centre Irae Simone who returns from sickness.
- AAP
WATCH: See what else coach Dan McKellar had to say ahead of the round 4 clash.
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I still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
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