A fairytale finish to champion Brumbies flanker George Smith’s career in Australian rugby wasn’t to be.

The 33-year-old veteran was magnificent in his side’s 27-22 Super Rugby final loss at the hands of defending champions the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

Smith backed up his two man-of-the-match performances in the preceding finals games against both the Cheetahs and Bulls.

And it looked like he’d set himself up for a third when he earned his side a commanding 10-point lead with 20 minutes to play by isolating Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

It was just one of several pieces of brilliance the 111-Test veteran displayed at the breakdown in the epic final.

“He’s phenomenal. Everyone is talking about his performance,” Brumbies coach Jake White said.

“For the big games he puts his hand up and we feel a bit for him because we’d like to have given him the trophy and let him finish off on a high note.”

It was Smith’s fifth Super Rugby final appearance, which equals the club record of fellow Brumbies legends Stephen Larkham and George Gregan.

He’ll now return to Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath for his third season after helping them win the All-Japan Championships in 2011 and 2012.

“It would have been very easy for George to stay in Japan and watch from afar,” Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore said.

“But he answered the call when we lost David Pocock, which was a huge blow to us, and showed what a champion player he is.

“There’s not many better players to play in Australia than George Smith.”