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All Blacks legend Brad Thorn on the family bond that led to Test coaching debut
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Brumbies player ratings vs Chiefs | 2025 Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals
By Finn Morton
No Australian team has ever won a Super Rugby playoff match in New Zealand, and that record remains intact with the ACT Brumbies falling to the Chiefs 37-17 in Hamilton. This is the fourth season in a row the Brumbies have bowed out in the semi-finals.
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Tom Wright and Corey Toole were among the standouts for the Brumbies, who put up a solid fight against the regular season table-toppers. The scoreboard doesn’t reflect how close this match was for the majority.
Here’s how the Brumbies rated.
- James Slipper – 5
It has to be said, the Chiefs were quite dominant at scrum time during the first term, with Ollie Norris getting the better of James Slipper. ‘Slips’ put in a solid knock around the park, finishing mid to low table for the Brumbies in carries and tackles completed, but the Chiefs getting the better of the Brumbies at the set-piece is maybe the most significant criteria.
- Billy Pollard – 7.5
Billy Pollard was one of the standouts for the Brumbies last time out against the Hurricanes, and it was a similar story in this semi-final in Hamilton. Pollard was accurate the lineout, scored one try off a rolling maul, and was one of the Brumbies’ top tacklers on the night.
- Allan Alaalatoa – 7
Allan Alaalatoa always leads by example when playing for the Brumbies. Alaalatoa wasn’t in the running for Player of the Match honours or anything like that, but the front-rower’s efforts around the park have to be admired.
In an impressive 61-minute shift, Alaalatoa was one of the Brumbies’ top tacklers on the night, and the prop also made a difference around the breakdown. Alaalatoa will be one of Australia’s most important players during the upcoming Lions Series.
- Nick Frost – 7.5
The Brumbies were beaten by a better side but Nick Frost was still able to have an impressive impact on the match, on both sides of the ball. Frost was one of the busiest Brumbies forwards in attack, and the lock finished with a team-high 17 tackles. On top of that, Forst was a general at the lineout – a reliable option for Billy Pollard to throw to.
- Tom Hooper – 6
Tom Hooper was probably the Brumbies’ player in 2025. While others like Tom Wright and Corey Toole were among the standouts on Saturday, Hooper’s efforts were once again sold enough, although it wasn’t exactly a game-breaking performance.
With only eight carry metres and nine tackles in defence, Hooper was outplayed by the likes of Tupou Vaa’i and Naitoa Ah Kuoi from the Chiefs. That said, expect to see Hooper’s name in the Wallabies squad – it would be a surprise if the utility forward doesn’t make the grade.
- Rob Valetini – 6
The best way to summarise Rob Valetini’s performance would be to simply say that there were glimpses of ‘Bobby V’ rugby fans know and love. Valetini ran hard into contact on several occasions, but wasn’t able to consistently have a meaningful impact on the contest.
- Rory Scott – 7
This was a promising end to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season from Rory Scott, who had a prolific impact in attack, with the second-most carries out of any Brumbies player. Scott also won a penalty at the breakdown less than two minutes into the second half – ultimately setting the stage for Corey Toole’s second try.
Tuaina Taii Tualima was one of the finds of the season for the ACT Brumbies, having made the move north from the Melbourne Rebels, but the backrower wasn’t able to make a telling impact on the match in Hamilton. With only three carries and six tackles completed, the No. 8 was outplayed by a star-studded Chiefs backrow.
- Ryan Lonergan – 7.5
Ryan Lonergan stepped up when Noah Lolesio left the match early, not only as the goal-kicker but as a key game-driver as well. Lonergan kicked well in general play, and helped the Brumbies maintain a high-tempo style that had the Chiefs on the back foot for a while. While Lonergan did miss a couple shots at goal, it was a good performance overall from the halfback.
- Noah Lolesio – N/A
Unfortunately, Noah Lolesio gets a ‘N/A’ rating after only playing 10 minutes against the Chiefs. Lolesio walked off the field and up the tunnel for a HIA and didn’t return to the match, with replacement Jack Debreczeni coming on early.
- Corey Toole – 8
Corey Toole was right up there with Tom Wright as the Brumbies’ best players against the Chiefs. Before the Wallabies’ squad is announced, probably this week now the Brumbies are out of the playoff race, Toole made yet another statement at the right time.
Toole scored a try late in the first half, with Jack Debreczeni sending a cross-field kick towards the left wing. After waiting for the ball to bounce, Toole managed to gather the ball and place it in one movement – staying within touch by a matter of inches.
In the second term, Toole completed a double with a try the winger had no right to score. Toole broke down the left edge, ran over Daman McKenzie, before somehow staying within the field of play to score.
- David Feliuai – 6
There were passages of the match where David Feliuai was able to make some noise, but it was largely a quiet night from the inside centre. With 44 running metres and a handful of tackles completed, it was an okay night for Feliuai opposite a red-hot Chiefs midfield.
- Len Ikitau – 5
Len Ikikitau tried really hard to make a difference but the outside centre wasn’t able to do that really. Davd Feliuai was the better of the two Brumbies centres, with Ikitau running the ball nine times for only 20 metres – it was a tough night for Ikitau and the Brums.
- Andy Muirhead – 4
It was a really quiet night for Andy Muirhead who struggled to make an impact on the match, with the ball often going to Corey Toole’s wing instead. Muirhead had only carried the ball for six metres by the 60-minute mark, with no highlight worthy plays to speak of.
- Tom Wright – 9
Tom Wright is the best fullback in Australian rugby and that fact has been true for quite some time now. Wright kicked a 50/22 in the 14th minute and nearly had another with about 20 minutes left – testing the Chiefs’ back three on a regular basis.
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In general play, Wright was up there with Rory Scott for the most amount of carries out of any player on the park, with the fullback running the ball for more than 135 metres. Ahead of the British & Irish Lions Series, Wright is truly in some great form.
Wright would’ve scored a try with 15 minutes to play as well – a superb effort – if it hadn’t been for a hard-to-believe defensive effort from Damian McKenzie.
Replacements
- Lachlan Lonergan – 6
- Lington Leli – 6.5
- Feao Fotuaika – 5
- Lachlan Shaw – 6.5
- Luke Reimer – 7.5 – Was very good around the breakdown.
- Harrison Goddard – 6
- Jack Debreczeni – 7 – Debreczeni came on much earlier than expected and looked fairly calm and composed. But, after setting up Corey Toole for a try, the fly-half seemed to go missing as Damian McKenzie took control.
- Ollie Sapsford – 5
