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.
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 (96 per cent).
According to Super Rugby statistics provided by Opta Sports, the Chiefs averaged the second most tackles in the competition and held the ball for just 13:53 minutes per game – at least three minutes less than six other teams.
While that stat is by far the lowest in the competition, it appears to be a case of less is more for the Hamilton-based side, as they lead the competition for clean breaks (9.3) and tries (3.1) per fixture.
Simply put, that’s one try for every four and a half minutes the Chiefs have the pill in hand.
A large chunk of their 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.
The Chiefs’ opportunistic attack was on full display in their semi-final win against the Crusaders last weekend.
Masaga sensationally burrowed his way over three defenders for the opening try, flyhalf Aaron Cruden sniffed out an intercept from a stuttered Crusaders play in another.
“They’ve definitely got a lot of threats out wide, especially with Cruden’s ability to get the ball to them,” Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg said.
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 otherhand boast the competition’s leading lineout thief in captain Ben Mowen.