Aussie swimmers try to surface from post-Olympic blues
An unsettled Kaylee McKeown went from a "dark place" mentally to no place of her own. She's living in holiday rentals.
Fellow golden girl Mollie O'Callaghan was in a "hole". She's still trying to dig herself out.
Struggling Shayna Jack went to the jungle "to find myself". She got home, lost her beloved dog, and isn't over the mental toll.
Zac Stubblety-Cook went from Paris and more Olympic glory to questioning if he wanted to keep swimming.
"The post-Olympic blues is always something to be mindful of," Stubblety-Cook said in Adelaide at Australia's swim trials for next month's world titles.
"I think people underestimate what it is.
"We had such a successful Games, especially our female team.
"To come off the back of that, of course you're going to feel a bit alone. I think that's just normal."
Stubblety-Cook, an Olympic gold and silver medallist, is among a chorus of swimmers in Adelaide detailing the mental lows that followed their highs.
And the Dolphins' leadership group member said there was a positive among the negatives.
"Everyone is a human and it's nice to see a bit of the human side of the sport," he said.
Dolphins teammate Lani Pallister said the human factor was often overlooked, compounding post-Olympic problems.
"This is going to sound really brutal but I think sometimes people forget athletes are also people," Pallister said.
"There's so much expectation put on Australian swimmers ... we're expected to win multiple gold medals.
"And sometimes if you don't race at your best, it's almost the public that bring you down."
Even those that race at their best were impacted.
McKeown, the only Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals, took four months off after Paris.
"I was in a really dark place mentally," she said.
"When you go from such a high, straight back to such a low, and you're left scrambling for ideas on what you're going to do next, it is hard to find your feet once again."
After her break, and with her coach Michael Bohl retired, she changed swim clubs and moved to Queensland's Gold Coast from the Sunshine Coast.
"I spent four months in a group where I wasn't finding myself really happy," McKeown said.
"I made the quick decision a week before nationals (in April) and moved back to Sunny Coast.
"I still haven't got a house to live. I'm in Airbnb's.
"It has been a really hard transition; just the things that people don't really see when you come and race."
O'Callaghan was the nation's most successful athlete in Paris, collecting three golds plus a silver and bronze.
Post-Olympics, she took five months, trying to find her identity outside of the pool.
The 21-year-old admitted she was still searching but was pragmatic about her problems.
"You have to always step in that dark place to get the best out of yourself," O'Callaghan said.
"That's what sport is about. It's putting yourself in that hole to see how mentally strong you are - and I've definitely done that this season."
Her teammate Jack won two golds in Paris at her first Olympics - she missed the Tokyo Games, having just served a two-year doping ban.
Jack, who was cleared of intentional doping, had a European Great Dane named Hugo - he was the sole reason she got out of bed many days while suspended.
After Paris, Jack went on the television show I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here.
Soon after returning home, she lost Hugo to cancer.
"I went to the jungle to try and find myself ... but when I got home and finding out that I was losing my dog, it was a huge mental toll," she said.
"He got me through everything to come back in the first place.
"I had two weeks with him; there was regret just around whether or not I did everything for him.
"I felt a lot of that guilt. Did I do right by him, by choosing my swimming a lot of the time, and choosing my career over my dog?"
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
An unsettled Kaylee McKeown went from a "dark place" mentally to no place of her own. She's living in holiday rentals.
Fellow golden girl Mollie O'Callaghan was in a "hole". She's still trying to dig herself out.
Struggling Shayna Jack went to the jungle "to find myself". She got home, lost her beloved dog, and isn't over the mental toll.
Zac Stubblety-Cook went from Paris and more Olympic glory to questioning if he wanted to keep swimming.
"The post-Olympic blues is always something to be mindful of," Stubblety-Cook said in Adelaide at Australia's swim trials for next month's world titles.
"I think people underestimate what it is.
"We had such a successful Games, especially our female team.
"To come off the back of that, of course you're going to feel a bit alone. I think that's just normal."
Stubblety-Cook, an Olympic gold and silver medallist, is among a chorus of swimmers in Adelaide detailing the mental lows that followed their highs.
And the Dolphins' leadership group member said there was a positive among the negatives.
"Everyone is a human and it's nice to see a bit of the human side of the sport," he said.
Dolphins teammate Lani Pallister said the human factor was often overlooked, compounding post-Olympic problems.
"This is going to sound really brutal but I think sometimes people forget athletes are also people," Pallister said.
"There's so much expectation put on Australian swimmers ... we're expected to win multiple gold medals.
"And sometimes if you don't race at your best, it's almost the public that bring you down."
Even those that race at their best were impacted.
McKeown, the only Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals, took four months off after Paris.
"I was in a really dark place mentally," she said.
"When you go from such a high, straight back to such a low, and you're left scrambling for ideas on what you're going to do next, it is hard to find your feet once again."
After her break, and with her coach Michael Bohl retired, she changed swim clubs and moved to Queensland's Gold Coast from the Sunshine Coast.
"I spent four months in a group where I wasn't finding myself really happy," McKeown said.
"I made the quick decision a week before nationals (in April) and moved back to Sunny Coast.
"I still haven't got a house to live. I'm in Airbnb's.
"It has been a really hard transition; just the things that people don't really see when you come and race."
O'Callaghan was the nation's most successful athlete in Paris, collecting three golds plus a silver and bronze.
Post-Olympics, she took five months, trying to find her identity outside of the pool.
The 21-year-old admitted she was still searching but was pragmatic about her problems.
"You have to always step in that dark place to get the best out of yourself," O'Callaghan said.
"That's what sport is about. It's putting yourself in that hole to see how mentally strong you are - and I've definitely done that this season."
Her teammate Jack won two golds in Paris at her first Olympics - she missed the Tokyo Games, having just served a two-year doping ban.
Jack, who was cleared of intentional doping, had a European Great Dane named Hugo - he was the sole reason she got out of bed many days while suspended.
After Paris, Jack went on the television show I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here.
Soon after returning home, she lost Hugo to cancer.
"I went to the jungle to try and find myself ... but when I got home and finding out that I was losing my dog, it was a huge mental toll," she said.
"He got me through everything to come back in the first place.
"I had two weeks with him; there was regret just around whether or not I did everything for him.
"I felt a lot of that guilt. Did I do right by him, by choosing my swimming a lot of the time, and choosing my career over my dog?"
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
An unsettled Kaylee McKeown went from a "dark place" mentally to no place of her own. She's living in holiday rentals.
Fellow golden girl Mollie O'Callaghan was in a "hole". She's still trying to dig herself out.
Struggling Shayna Jack went to the jungle "to find myself". She got home, lost her beloved dog, and isn't over the mental toll.
Zac Stubblety-Cook went from Paris and more Olympic glory to questioning if he wanted to keep swimming.
"The post-Olympic blues is always something to be mindful of," Stubblety-Cook said in Adelaide at Australia's swim trials for next month's world titles.
"I think people underestimate what it is.
"We had such a successful Games, especially our female team.
"To come off the back of that, of course you're going to feel a bit alone. I think that's just normal."
Stubblety-Cook, an Olympic gold and silver medallist, is among a chorus of swimmers in Adelaide detailing the mental lows that followed their highs.
And the Dolphins' leadership group member said there was a positive among the negatives.
"Everyone is a human and it's nice to see a bit of the human side of the sport," he said.
Dolphins teammate Lani Pallister said the human factor was often overlooked, compounding post-Olympic problems.
"This is going to sound really brutal but I think sometimes people forget athletes are also people," Pallister said.
"There's so much expectation put on Australian swimmers ... we're expected to win multiple gold medals.
"And sometimes if you don't race at your best, it's almost the public that bring you down."
Even those that race at their best were impacted.
McKeown, the only Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals, took four months off after Paris.
"I was in a really dark place mentally," she said.
"When you go from such a high, straight back to such a low, and you're left scrambling for ideas on what you're going to do next, it is hard to find your feet once again."
After her break, and with her coach Michael Bohl retired, she changed swim clubs and moved to Queensland's Gold Coast from the Sunshine Coast.
"I spent four months in a group where I wasn't finding myself really happy," McKeown said.
"I made the quick decision a week before nationals (in April) and moved back to Sunny Coast.
"I still haven't got a house to live. I'm in Airbnb's.
"It has been a really hard transition; just the things that people don't really see when you come and race."
O'Callaghan was the nation's most successful athlete in Paris, collecting three golds plus a silver and bronze.
Post-Olympics, she took five months, trying to find her identity outside of the pool.
The 21-year-old admitted she was still searching but was pragmatic about her problems.
"You have to always step in that dark place to get the best out of yourself," O'Callaghan said.
"That's what sport is about. It's putting yourself in that hole to see how mentally strong you are - and I've definitely done that this season."
Her teammate Jack won two golds in Paris at her first Olympics - she missed the Tokyo Games, having just served a two-year doping ban.
Jack, who was cleared of intentional doping, had a European Great Dane named Hugo - he was the sole reason she got out of bed many days while suspended.
After Paris, Jack went on the television show I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here.
Soon after returning home, she lost Hugo to cancer.
"I went to the jungle to try and find myself ... but when I got home and finding out that I was losing my dog, it was a huge mental toll," she said.
"He got me through everything to come back in the first place.
"I had two weeks with him; there was regret just around whether or not I did everything for him.
"I felt a lot of that guilt. Did I do right by him, by choosing my swimming a lot of the time, and choosing my career over my dog?"
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
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Bostock's four tries fire Dolphins to destroy Cowboys
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"We have got to make sure that we keep turning up and working hard and that we don't let a couple of wins weaken us ... and all of a sudden we get our pants pulled down." Former Cowboys centre Brent Tate said on Fox League it was "one of the worst" performances by the club he had seen, despite them missing four State of Origin stars. "It was a tough night," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said. The Dolphins have won seven of their past 10 matches and are clearly the best-coached and performed side of all the Queensland teams. With their four best forwards out for the season, the response of the side after a 0-4 start to the campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary under Woolf. Their oldest forwards Felise Kaufusi, 33, and Mark Nicholls, 35, led the pack up front in Townsville on Saturday with gusto and grunt. Nikorima has been the unsung hero of the Dolphins' resurgence. Katoa, with the most try assists this season, has got all the wraps and rightly so, but his veteran partner has been a linchpin figure. Both were electric against the Cowboys, who have won just one of their past six games. The Cowboys suffered a major blow in the warm-up when star forward Jason Taumalolo withdrew with a concern over an injured calf that had kept him out of action since round nine. Bostock scored early before Kaufusi was binned for a high shot on Cowboys replacement half Tom Duffy, minutes after stand-in captain Scott Drinkwater was also hit high. Both Cowboys went off for HIAs. Down to 12 men, the Dolphins were far too classy for the Cowboys, with Nikorima and Katoa creating a second try for Bostock. Katoa sliced through to put rampaging back-rower Oryn Keeley over under the sticks for a 16-0 lead. The Cowboys caught out the Dolphins on the short side with a slick move from Drinkwater to put winger Murray Taulagi over in the corner, but that was their only joy. Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe scored on the cusp of halftime for the Dolphins to lead 22-4 at the break. From there it was all the Dolphins, with Bostock, outstanding fill-in fullback Jake Averillo, devastating centre Herbie Farnworth, tough-as-teak Ray Stone and Nikorima all continuing the try-scoring extravaganza. The Dolphins have surged to sixth position on the NRL ladder, with four tries to winger Jack Bostock and another masterclass by halves Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa firing a 58-4 thrashing of North Queensland. Four-try hero Bostock, who will surely represent NSW in the future, ensured the Dolphins entered the stratosphere for attacking football and defensive resolve in sequence. The losing 54-point margin for the Cowboys was the worst in their history at home. The ruthless Dolphins became just the sixth side in premiership history to win three consecutive games by at least 36 points after a 56-6 win over St George Illawarra and a 44-8 victory against Canterbury. "We have got a great ability as a team to score points," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said. "The halves love playing together, but I also know that when we are defending really well that is when we are at our best. "We have got to make sure that we keep turning up and working hard and that we don't let a couple of wins weaken us ... and all of a sudden we get our pants pulled down." Former Cowboys centre Brent Tate said on Fox League it was "one of the worst" performances by the club he had seen, despite them missing four State of Origin stars. "It was a tough night," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said. The Dolphins have won seven of their past 10 matches and are clearly the best-coached and performed side of all the Queensland teams. With their four best forwards out for the season, the response of the side after a 0-4 start to the campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary under Woolf. Their oldest forwards Felise Kaufusi, 33, and Mark Nicholls, 35, led the pack up front in Townsville on Saturday with gusto and grunt. Nikorima has been the unsung hero of the Dolphins' resurgence. Katoa, with the most try assists this season, has got all the wraps and rightly so, but his veteran partner has been a linchpin figure. Both were electric against the Cowboys, who have won just one of their past six games. The Cowboys suffered a major blow in the warm-up when star forward Jason Taumalolo withdrew with a concern over an injured calf that had kept him out of action since round nine. Bostock scored early before Kaufusi was binned for a high shot on Cowboys replacement half Tom Duffy, minutes after stand-in captain Scott Drinkwater was also hit high. Both Cowboys went off for HIAs. Down to 12 men, the Dolphins were far too classy for the Cowboys, with Nikorima and Katoa creating a second try for Bostock. Katoa sliced through to put rampaging back-rower Oryn Keeley over under the sticks for a 16-0 lead. The Cowboys caught out the Dolphins on the short side with a slick move from Drinkwater to put winger Murray Taulagi over in the corner, but that was their only joy. Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe scored on the cusp of halftime for the Dolphins to lead 22-4 at the break. From there it was all the Dolphins, with Bostock, outstanding fill-in fullback Jake Averillo, devastating centre Herbie Farnworth, tough-as-teak Ray Stone and Nikorima all continuing the try-scoring extravaganza. The Dolphins have surged to sixth position on the NRL ladder, with four tries to winger Jack Bostock and another masterclass by halves Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa firing a 58-4 thrashing of North Queensland. Four-try hero Bostock, who will surely represent NSW in the future, ensured the Dolphins entered the stratosphere for attacking football and defensive resolve in sequence. The losing 54-point margin for the Cowboys was the worst in their history at home. The ruthless Dolphins became just the sixth side in premiership history to win three consecutive games by at least 36 points after a 56-6 win over St George Illawarra and a 44-8 victory against Canterbury. "We have got a great ability as a team to score points," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said. "The halves love playing together, but I also know that when we are defending really well that is when we are at our best. "We have got to make sure that we keep turning up and working hard and that we don't let a couple of wins weaken us ... and all of a sudden we get our pants pulled down." Former Cowboys centre Brent Tate said on Fox League it was "one of the worst" performances by the club he had seen, despite them missing four State of Origin stars. "It was a tough night," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said. The Dolphins have won seven of their past 10 matches and are clearly the best-coached and performed side of all the Queensland teams. With their four best forwards out for the season, the response of the side after a 0-4 start to the campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary under Woolf. Their oldest forwards Felise Kaufusi, 33, and Mark Nicholls, 35, led the pack up front in Townsville on Saturday with gusto and grunt. Nikorima has been the unsung hero of the Dolphins' resurgence. Katoa, with the most try assists this season, has got all the wraps and rightly so, but his veteran partner has been a linchpin figure. Both were electric against the Cowboys, who have won just one of their past six games. The Cowboys suffered a major blow in the warm-up when star forward Jason Taumalolo withdrew with a concern over an injured calf that had kept him out of action since round nine. Bostock scored early before Kaufusi was binned for a high shot on Cowboys replacement half Tom Duffy, minutes after stand-in captain Scott Drinkwater was also hit high. Both Cowboys went off for HIAs. Down to 12 men, the Dolphins were far too classy for the Cowboys, with Nikorima and Katoa creating a second try for Bostock. Katoa sliced through to put rampaging back-rower Oryn Keeley over under the sticks for a 16-0 lead. The Cowboys caught out the Dolphins on the short side with a slick move from Drinkwater to put winger Murray Taulagi over in the corner, but that was their only joy. Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe scored on the cusp of halftime for the Dolphins to lead 22-4 at the break. From there it was all the Dolphins, with Bostock, outstanding fill-in fullback Jake Averillo, devastating centre Herbie Farnworth, tough-as-teak Ray Stone and Nikorima all continuing the try-scoring extravaganza.
The Advertiser
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Foot fault: 'inconvenient' setback a blow for Blues
Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "It's more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn't as long as what it could've been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday. "We're fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing. "It's inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us. "He's a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation. "He'll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "It's more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn't as long as what it could've been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday. "We're fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing. "It's inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us. "He's a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation. "He'll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "It's more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn't as long as what it could've been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday. "We're fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing. "It's inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us. "He's a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation. "He'll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Outstanding' Chiefs continue Aussie Super hoodoo in NZ
Australia's wait for a Super Rugby Pacific finals winner in New Zealand continues after the ACT Brumbies crashed 37-17 to the Chiefs in Hamilton, with playmaker Noah Lolesio an early casualty. Playing in their fourth successive semi-final, the gallant Brumbies again missed a grand final berth while the Chiefs will play in their third straight title decider, taking on the Crusaders next Saturday. No Australian team have ever won a final across the Tasman, with the Brumbies following Queensland out of the competition after the Reds were beaten by the Crusaders in the qualifying final. Skipper Allan Alaalatoa lamented another finals four exit for his team. "What we spoke about all week is that we had to play close to a perfect game to come out here and get the result, and, yeah, we probably saw there in the second half that accuracy let us down, and off the back of that probably our discipline as well," the Wallabies prop said. While it was three tries a piece, penalties proved a killer for the visitors, who tallied 11 to the Chiefs' seven. All Blacks sharp-shooter Damian McKenzie booted six penalty goals as well as two conversions and set up the Chiefs' third try in a starring performance. The flyhalf also pulled off a miracle tackle in the 65th minute, getting his hand under the ball to deny a Brumbies fullback Tom Wright a certain try to stall any chance of a fightback. The Brumbies' quest to end a 0-20 record suffered a major setback with Wallabies No.10 Lolesio departing just 10 minutes in after an accidental head-knock while making a tackle. His replacement, Jack Debreczeni, who has hardly played this Super season, did an admirable job but the Brumbies still missed their chief playmaker, who is shifting his career to Japan. The Canberra outfit were well in the hunt at halftime, only trailing 19-12, with hooker Billy Pollard rumbling across and winger Corey Toole scoring the first of his two tries off a Debreczeni cross-field kick. The home side's points came from Emoni Narawa with the winger catching the defence offside with a quick pick and go. But the Brumbies' penalty count was already double the Chiefs, including one after the halftime hooter which McKenzie slotted. While the Brumbies scored first in the second half, with Toole bumping off McKenzie en route to a brilliant individual try to get within two, Narawa hit straight back for his second. The ACT side were unable to add to their tally while two McKenzie penalties and the No.10 offloading to Josh Jacomb sealed a dominant win. Because they lost their qualifying final to the Blues, the table-topping Chiefs must play the grand final in Christchurch, with the Crusaders beating the Blues 21-14 in the other semi-final. The Chiefs last faced the Crusaders in the 2023 grand final, losing 25-20, after also beating the Brumbies in the semis. McKenzie praised his team's composure to again put the leading Australian side to the sword. "Outstanding performance from the lads," he said. "Brumbies come out of the box fast, like we knew they would, and just loved the way we were really composed to stick to our game. "It's never easy playing the Brumbies boys, they've been outstanding all year so to come away with that one and obviously get ourselves into a final, I'm stoked." Australia's wait for a Super Rugby Pacific finals winner in New Zealand continues after the ACT Brumbies crashed 37-17 to the Chiefs in Hamilton, with playmaker Noah Lolesio an early casualty. Playing in their fourth successive semi-final, the gallant Brumbies again missed a grand final berth while the Chiefs will play in their third straight title decider, taking on the Crusaders next Saturday. No Australian team have ever won a final across the Tasman, with the Brumbies following Queensland out of the competition after the Reds were beaten by the Crusaders in the qualifying final. Skipper Allan Alaalatoa lamented another finals four exit for his team. "What we spoke about all week is that we had to play close to a perfect game to come out here and get the result, and, yeah, we probably saw there in the second half that accuracy let us down, and off the back of that probably our discipline as well," the Wallabies prop said. While it was three tries a piece, penalties proved a killer for the visitors, who tallied 11 to the Chiefs' seven. All Blacks sharp-shooter Damian McKenzie booted six penalty goals as well as two conversions and set up the Chiefs' third try in a starring performance. The flyhalf also pulled off a miracle tackle in the 65th minute, getting his hand under the ball to deny a Brumbies fullback Tom Wright a certain try to stall any chance of a fightback. The Brumbies' quest to end a 0-20 record suffered a major setback with Wallabies No.10 Lolesio departing just 10 minutes in after an accidental head-knock while making a tackle. His replacement, Jack Debreczeni, who has hardly played this Super season, did an admirable job but the Brumbies still missed their chief playmaker, who is shifting his career to Japan. The Canberra outfit were well in the hunt at halftime, only trailing 19-12, with hooker Billy Pollard rumbling across and winger Corey Toole scoring the first of his two tries off a Debreczeni cross-field kick. The home side's points came from Emoni Narawa with the winger catching the defence offside with a quick pick and go. But the Brumbies' penalty count was already double the Chiefs, including one after the halftime hooter which McKenzie slotted. While the Brumbies scored first in the second half, with Toole bumping off McKenzie en route to a brilliant individual try to get within two, Narawa hit straight back for his second. The ACT side were unable to add to their tally while two McKenzie penalties and the No.10 offloading to Josh Jacomb sealed a dominant win. Because they lost their qualifying final to the Blues, the table-topping Chiefs must play the grand final in Christchurch, with the Crusaders beating the Blues 21-14 in the other semi-final. The Chiefs last faced the Crusaders in the 2023 grand final, losing 25-20, after also beating the Brumbies in the semis. McKenzie praised his team's composure to again put the leading Australian side to the sword. "Outstanding performance from the lads," he said. "Brumbies come out of the box fast, like we knew they would, and just loved the way we were really composed to stick to our game. "It's never easy playing the Brumbies boys, they've been outstanding all year so to come away with that one and obviously get ourselves into a final, I'm stoked." Australia's wait for a Super Rugby Pacific finals winner in New Zealand continues after the ACT Brumbies crashed 37-17 to the Chiefs in Hamilton, with playmaker Noah Lolesio an early casualty. Playing in their fourth successive semi-final, the gallant Brumbies again missed a grand final berth while the Chiefs will play in their third straight title decider, taking on the Crusaders next Saturday. No Australian team have ever won a final across the Tasman, with the Brumbies following Queensland out of the competition after the Reds were beaten by the Crusaders in the qualifying final. Skipper Allan Alaalatoa lamented another finals four exit for his team. "What we spoke about all week is that we had to play close to a perfect game to come out here and get the result, and, yeah, we probably saw there in the second half that accuracy let us down, and off the back of that probably our discipline as well," the Wallabies prop said. While it was three tries a piece, penalties proved a killer for the visitors, who tallied 11 to the Chiefs' seven. All Blacks sharp-shooter Damian McKenzie booted six penalty goals as well as two conversions and set up the Chiefs' third try in a starring performance. The flyhalf also pulled off a miracle tackle in the 65th minute, getting his hand under the ball to deny a Brumbies fullback Tom Wright a certain try to stall any chance of a fightback. The Brumbies' quest to end a 0-20 record suffered a major setback with Wallabies No.10 Lolesio departing just 10 minutes in after an accidental head-knock while making a tackle. His replacement, Jack Debreczeni, who has hardly played this Super season, did an admirable job but the Brumbies still missed their chief playmaker, who is shifting his career to Japan. The Canberra outfit were well in the hunt at halftime, only trailing 19-12, with hooker Billy Pollard rumbling across and winger Corey Toole scoring the first of his two tries off a Debreczeni cross-field kick. The home side's points came from Emoni Narawa with the winger catching the defence offside with a quick pick and go. But the Brumbies' penalty count was already double the Chiefs, including one after the halftime hooter which McKenzie slotted. While the Brumbies scored first in the second half, with Toole bumping off McKenzie en route to a brilliant individual try to get within two, Narawa hit straight back for his second. The ACT side were unable to add to their tally while two McKenzie penalties and the No.10 offloading to Josh Jacomb sealed a dominant win. Because they lost their qualifying final to the Blues, the table-topping Chiefs must play the grand final in Christchurch, with the Crusaders beating the Blues 21-14 in the other semi-final. The Chiefs last faced the Crusaders in the 2023 grand final, losing 25-20, after also beating the Brumbies in the semis. McKenzie praised his team's composure to again put the leading Australian side to the sword. "Outstanding performance from the lads," he said. "Brumbies come out of the box fast, like we knew they would, and just loved the way we were really composed to stick to our game. "It's never easy playing the Brumbies boys, they've been outstanding all year so to come away with that one and obviously get ourselves into a final, I'm stoked."
