Brumbies out to start their own Crusaders-like dynasty with victory over Chiefs in Super Rugby final

THE Brumbies plan to create a Crusaders-like Super Rugby dynasty after reaching their first grand final in nine years.

THE Brumbies plan to create a Crusaders-like Super Rugby dynasty after reaching their first grand final in nine years.

Despite the lengthy absence from playoff football, the Brumbies will become the second-most successful franchise in the competition's history should they defeat the Chiefs in the grand final in Hamilton on Saturday.

Victory would give them three premierships and three runners-up titles, putting them ahead of the Blues, who have three titles but only one runners-up appearance, but still well short of the Crusaders' incredible seven premierships and three runners-up prizes.

"The Crusaders have really dominated Super Rugby and every franchise is now trying to do that," Brumbies coach Jake White said.

"The Chiefs are trying to do it. The Brumbies are trying to do it. The Bulls have done it for a while now.

"Everyone aspires to it and it's that sort of achievement you want to try and get to."

But if the Chiefs have long memories, they'll relish revenge. In 2004, the last time the Brumbies won the title, they succeeded at the expense of the Chiefs.

BRUMBIES SET SIGHTS ON ANOTHER MIRACLE

Having never previously made the finals, the Chiefs were on track to host a home playoff, but were beaten 15-12 by the Brumbies at home in the final round.

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That defeat relegated them to fourth, forcing them to travel to Canberra in the semi-final, the second encounter against the Brumbies in as many weeks.

The Brumbies won the semi-final 32-17 and a week later thumped the Crusaders 47-38 to claim the premiership.
It would be five years before the Chiefs made the finals again, but the drought has been longer for the Brumbies, who had not featured in the playoffs again until this year.

Defending their championship, the Chiefs are heavy favourites this weekend despite being underdogs at home last Saturday against the All Blacks-laden Crusaders.

Aaron Cruden said the Chiefs had welcomed the weight of expectation this year.

"There was a bit of pressure being defending champions but we wanted to walk towards that pressure and we're one step closer to going back-to-back now," Cruden said.