Chiefs vs Brumbies in numbers: every finals meeting, the last five results and the Brumbies’ comeback win in Canberra in March 2026.
Chiefs vs Brumbies: Finals History, Recent Results and 2026 Clash
Chiefs vs Brumbies has one rule that has never been broken in the playoffs: the home team wins. The sides have met five times in Super Rugby finals and the host has won all five, most recently when the Chiefs beat the Brumbies 37–17 in Hamilton in the 2025 semi-final.
Their only meeting of 2026 went the other way. On 20 March in Canberra the Brumbies came from 17–7 down at half-time to win 33–24, on the night James Slipper became the most-capped player in Super Rugby history. This page covers the finals record, recent results and what they mean if you are weighing up the next game.
5 from 5finals meetings won by the home team
27–22Chiefs’ win in the 2013 final
33–24Brumbies’ win in Canberra, March 2026
203James Slipper’s record Super Rugby caps
What this article answers: The Chiefs vs Brumbies finals record, their recent results and what happened when they met in Canberra in March 2026.
Main points
- The home team has won all five finals meetings between the Chiefs and the Brumbies.
- The Chiefs won the 2013 final 27–22.
- The Brumbies came from behind to win 33–24 in Canberra in March 2026, on James Slipper’s record-setting night.
- A margin calculator shows how to work out the bookmaker’s margin on a two-way market.
Chiefs vs Brumbies in the finals: the home side always wins
Before the 2025 semi-final, rugby.com.au noted that all four previous finals games between these teams had been won by the home side. The Chiefs’ 37–17 win in Hamilton made it five out of five.
| Year | Stage | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Final | Chiefs 27–22 Brumbies | Hamilton |
| 2014 | Qualifier | Brumbies 32–30 Chiefs | Canberra |
| 2023 | Semi-final | Chiefs 19–6 Brumbies | Hamilton |
| 2025 | Semi-final | Chiefs 37–17 Brumbies | Hamilton |
The 2013 final is the one Chiefs fans remember best. The Chiefs came from behind late in Hamilton to win 27–22 and retain the title they had won for the first time in 2012. A year later the Brumbies returned the favour with a two-point qualifying final win in Canberra.
Recent Chiefs vs Brumbies results
The Chiefs had the better of this fixture from 2023 to 2025. Going into the March 2026 game they had won five in a row against the Brumbies, with only one of those wins away from home, and they had scored at least 37 points in each of the three most recent.
| When | Result | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 20 March 2026 | Brumbies 33–24 Chiefs (Canberra) | Round 6 |
| 14 June 2025 | Chiefs 37–17 Brumbies (Hamilton) | Semi-final |
| 2025 regular season | Chiefs 49–34 Brumbies | Regular season |
| 2024 regular season | Chiefs 46–12 Brumbies | Regular season |
| 17 June 2023 | Chiefs 19–6 Brumbies (Hamilton) | Semi-final |
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.
The Chiefs controlled the first half. 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 lead. The Brumbies then scored three tries in roughly ten minutes through captain Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale and Corey Toole.
Toole’s try in the 78th minute settled it. After the Chiefs knocked on, he ran the length of the field to seal a 33–24 win, and McKenzie had earlier missed a late penalty that could have put the Chiefs back in front. The result ended the Chiefs’ five-game winning run in the fixture.
How both teams finished 2026
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 thrashed the Crusaders 49–12 in the semi-final, before losing the final 60–5 to the Hurricanes in Wellington. It was their 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 Brumbies. The full table and finals format are on our Super Rugby Pacific explainer, and our 2025 season review covers the Chiefs’ semi-final win over the Brumbies that year.
Players who have worn both jerseys
A handful of players have represented both clubs. Fly-half Jack Debreczeni signed with the Chiefs for the 2019 season as back-up to Damian McKenzie and later joined the Brumbies in 2023; his Wikipedia page lists his Super Rugby career in full.
Working out the bookmaker’s margin on a Chiefs v Brumbies market
Head-to-head odds include a margin for the bookmaker. To find it, convert each price to an implied probability (1 divided by the odds) and add them up.
Take an example 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 bookmaker’s margin, and the lower it is, the better the value on offer. These odds are an illustration, not a real market.
Check the margin on a Chiefs v Brumbies market
Enter the head-to-head odds for both teams
Market type
| Outcome | Odds | Fair odds | Fair chance | Remove |
|---|
Market adds up to—
Overround—
Bookmaker margin—
Educational tool from Sports-Betting.nz. Results are estimates — the bet slip or official dividend always decides. 18+ only. Free, confidential help: Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655 or text 8006.
Betting on Chiefs v Brumbies from New Zealand
The finals pattern is a useful piece of context, not a guarantee. Five home wins from five is a small sample, and team selection, travel and injuries matter more in any single game.
TAB NZ is the only operator legally allowed to offer online sports betting to people in New Zealand, and you must be 18 or over to bet. Our rugby betting guide explains line and head-to-head markets, and the TAB NZ overview covers deposit limits. You can check upcoming dates on our Super Rugby fixtures page.
Please read: 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. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ has been the only operator allowed to offer online racing and sports betting to people in New Zealand.
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.
Reference sources
- Rugby365 — Brumbies vs Chiefs head-to-head
- RugbyPass — Brumbies stun Chiefs with comeback win on Slipper’s record-breaking night
- rugby.com.au — Super Rugby Pacific 2025 semi-final preview
- ABC News — Chiefs post late comeback to pip Brumbies 27-22 in Hamilton
- Irish Examiner — Hurricanes thrash Chiefs to win Super Rugby title
FAQs
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 team has won all five finals meetings between the sides.
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 202.
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 final and lost 60–5 to the Hurricanes.
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.
