Brumbies' common sense approach is the danger for the Chiefs according to the New Zealand press

THE Daily Telegraph's Carly Adno looks at how the Brumbies are being covered by the Kiwi media ahead of the Super Rugby final.

George Smith

HERE'S a word the Kiwi press has been using a lot this week to describe the Brumbies: nous.

It is, in fact, an entirely appropriate description. Nous is sometimes equated to intellect or intelligence, but it also denotes "common sense".

The road to the Super Rugby final has been paved with common sense for the Brumbies, and that will continue during Saturday night's final against the Chiefs.

Ian Snook, writing for Fairfax Media, believes nous and coaching teams may decide the winner.

"Jake White, the South Africa World Cup-winning coach, has pieced together a team with only a few readily known names, but one with a strong work ethic and plenty of desire," he wrote.

"His coaching team stands up well alongside the Chiefs heavyweights, with forward guru Laurie Fisher, the most unlikely looking rugby coach of them all, now a hardened and demanding task master with head coaching experience at both the Brumbies and Munster behind him, and the professorial role being handled by ex-international star Stephen Larkham.

"This could be the right mix of players and coaches to win a final even if George Smith is the only name that stands up and hits you, with a couple of front rowers in Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore providing the experience, and captain Ben Mowen the nous."

To combat the Brumbies' nous, the Kiwi media has been buoyed by simple statistics that confirm the Chiefs' attacking dominance.

Apparently stats don't lie. The Chiefs have scored more tries and points than any other Super Rugby team this season despite having the least amount of possession.

"The Brumbies will have to be at their ball retention and defensive scrambling best in Saturday's Super Rugby final in Hamilton, with the Chiefs' counter-attack a proven punisher of teams that cough up possession," David Barbeler from NZ Newswire wrote.

"And in a stat sure to set up a cracking battle, the Brumbies have the competition's highest percentage rate when it comes to retaining the ball at ruck time.

"A large chunk of their (Chiefs) strike power this year has come from dynamic winger Lelia Masaga and injured centre Tim Nanai-Williams - both of whom make the most metres per carry in Super Rugby.

"(Jesse) Mogg and his fellow Brumbies kickers will no doubt be aiming to put their kicks deep into touch, as it will not only avoid the counter-attacking skills of Masaga and co. but also give the Brumbies forwards a crack at the Chiefs' lineout.

"The Chiefs have the least successful lineout in the competition, managing to win just 78 per cent of their throws.

"The Brumbies on the other hand boast the competition's leading lineout thief in captain Ben Mowen."