Chiefs vs Brumbies: Finals Record, Recent Results and the 2026 Clash

Chiefs vs Brumbies is one of the few Super Rugby match-ups with a rule that has never once been broken in the knockout rounds: the side playing at home wins. The two clubs have met five times in Super 12 and Super Rugby finals or playoffs since 2004, and on every occasion the host has come out on top.

Their most recent meeting broke a different pattern. On 20 March 2026 in Canberra the Brumbies came from 17–07 down at half-time to beat the Chiefs 33–24, ending a five-game losing run against them — and they did it on the night prop James Slipper became the most-capped player in Super Rugby history. This page sets out the finals record, the recent results and what that March result did and did not change.

Chiefs vs Brumbies in the finals: the home side always wins

Before the 2025 semi-final, Rugby Australia noted that all four previous playoff games between these teams had been won by the home side. The Chiefs’ 37–17 win in Hamilton that June made it five out of five. The table below lists every finals or playoff meeting the two clubs have played, going back to the Super 12 era.

The 2013 final is the one Chiefs fans remember best. They came from behind late in Hamilton to win 27–22 and retain the title they had claimed for the first time in 2012. A year later the Brumbies returned the favour, edging a 32–30 qualifying final in Canberra thanks to a missed late conversion by the visitors. Both results were decided by a single score, which is part of why home advantage has mattered so much in this fixture.

The oldest meeting on the list is the 2004 Super 12 semi-final, when a Brumbies side that went on to win the title beat the Chiefs 32–17 in Canberra. Across all five games the host has never lost, though the margins tell you these are usually tight, physical contests rather than mismatches.

Recent Chiefs vs Brumbies results

The Chiefs had the better of the fixture from 2023 to mid-2025, winning five meetings in a row. Most of those wins came in Hamilton, and the Chiefs scored at least 37 points in each of the three most recent before the run ended. The table below shows the last five Super Rugby Pacific games between the sides.

The Chiefs’ run included high-scoring regular-season wins and two semi-final victories, so the Brumbies arrived in Canberra in March 2026 as clear underdogs on recent form. You can check how both clubs sit in the wider competition on our Super Rugby Pacific explainer, and the 2025 season review covers the Chiefs’ semi-final win over the Brumbies that year in more detail.

Chiefs vs Brumbies 2026: Slipper’s record night in Canberra

The only 2026 meeting was in round 6, on Friday 20 March at GIO Stadium. It was James Slipper’s 203rd Super Rugby game, taking him past former All Black Wyatt Crockett’s record of 202 — a milestone for the 36-year-old prop, who had already retired from international rugby.

The Chiefs controlled the first hour. Winger Liam Coombes-Fabling scored twice as they led 17–7 at the break, and Damian McKenzie added a try in the 56th minute to stretch the margin to 24–7. The Brumbies then scored three tries in roughly ten minutes through captain Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale and Corey Toole to turn the game around.

Toole’s try in the 78th minute settled it. After the Chiefs knocked on, he ran almost the length of the field to seal a 33–24 win, and McKenzie had earlier missed a late penalty that could have put the visitors back in front. The result ended the Chiefs’ five-game winning run in the fixture and gave the Brumbies the perfect backdrop for Slipper’s record.

How both teams finished the 2026 season

The sides did not meet again. The Chiefs finished second on the table with 51 points, beat the Reds 46–24 in a qualifying final and then thrashed the Crusaders 49–12 in the semi-final, before losing the decider 60–5 to the Hurricanes in Wellington — the biggest winning margin in a Super Rugby final and the Chiefs’ fourth defeat in four straight finals.

The Brumbies finished sixth on 34 points and travelled to Wellington for a qualifying final, where the Hurricanes beat them 66–12, a record finals defeat for the club. In short, the March result flattered neither side’s title hopes: the Hurricanes went through both of them on the way to the trophy. Upcoming dates for the next campaign are on our Super Rugby fixtures page, and if you follow New Zealand derbies our Blues vs Crusaders head-to-head covers another long-running rivalry.

Players who have worn both the Chiefs and Brumbies jerseys

A handful of players have represented both clubs. The best-known recent example is fly-half Jack Debreczeni, who signed with the Chiefs for the 2019 season as cover behind Damian McKenzie, then joined the Brumbies for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. He later moved on to the Waratahs, passing 100 Super Rugby appearances across his time with the Rebels, Chiefs, Brumbies and New South Wales.

How bookmakers price a Chiefs v Brumbies market

Head-to-head odds always include a built-in margin for the bookmaker. To see it, convert each decimal price to an implied probability — that is simply 1 divided by the odds — and add the results together. A clean market with no margin would total exactly 100%; anything above that is the operator’s edge.

Take an illustrative two-way market with the Chiefs at $1.55 and the Brumbies at $2.45. The implied probabilities are 64.5% and 40.8%, which add up to 105.3%. The extra 5.3% is the margin, and the smaller that figure, the better the value on offer. Those numbers are an example, not a real price. If this is new to you, our rugby betting guide explains how line and head-to-head markets are framed for matches like this one.

Betting on Super Rugby from New Zealand

The finals pattern is useful context, not a guarantee. Five home wins from five is a small sample, and team selection, travel and injuries matter far more in any single game than a historical trend does.

If you do choose to bet, the rules are straightforward. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ has been the only operator legally allowed to offer online racing and sports betting to people in New Zealand, and you must be 18 or over. The TAB NZ overview covers account verification and deposit limits, which are worth setting before you place anything.

Responsible gambling and the law

This page is general sports information for readers aged 18 and over. It is not betting, financial or legal advice, and it does not encourage anyone to gamble. Historical results do not predict future outcomes, and no trend changes the fact that every bet can lose.

If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. The Problem Gambling Foundation also offers free counselling across New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the last Chiefs v Brumbies game?

The Brumbies won 33–24 at GIO Stadium in Canberra on 20 March 2026, coming back from 17–7 down at half-time.

Have the Chiefs and Brumbies met in a Super Rugby final?

Yes. The Chiefs beat the Brumbies 27–22 in the 2013 final in Hamilton to win back-to-back titles.

Does home advantage matter in Chiefs v Brumbies finals?

So far it has decided every one. The home side has won all five finals and playoff meetings between the teams, from the 2004 Super 12 semi-final to the 2025 semi-final.

What record did James Slipper break against the Chiefs?

He played his 203rd Super Rugby game, the most by any player, passing Wyatt Crockett’s previous record of 202 appearances.

Did the Chiefs and Brumbies meet in the 2026 finals?

No. The Brumbies lost 66–12 to the Hurricanes in a qualifying final, while the Chiefs reached the decider and lost it 60–5 to the same Hurricanes side.

Has anyone played for both the Chiefs and the Brumbies?

Yes. Fly-half Jack Debreczeni played for the Chiefs in 2019 and joined the Brumbies in 2023 before later moving to the Waratahs.