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Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham laments challenge of Super Rugby away days after another s-final loss
ACT Brumbies' coach Stephen Larkham before the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Waikato Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on June 14, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Coach Stephen Larkham did not believe his ACT Brumbies side went into the June 14 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waikato Chiefs in a negative frame of mind despite the team's dismal semi-final track record. The Brumbies crashed out in the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row as Larkham's side lost 37-17 to the Chiefs, who set up an all-New Zealand final against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch on June 21. 'Psychologically, I thought we were in a good place, I thought our preparation was really good to build into this game from the other games that we've played,' said Larkham. 'I don't know if that was a factor. We certainly have spoken a lot to make sure that that doesn't come into it. 'It's hard to play away from home, whether it's in Australia or New Zealand. There is an advantage to the home side and I thought they played really well.' Larkham has been at the helm for three of the Brumbies' four semi-final losses, having also overseen a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023 ahead of last year's reversal against the Auckland Blues. Those defeats prompted the former Wallaby to launch reviews into his team's operations and Larkham vowed to go through a similar process when the current season concludes after his side's clash with the British and Irish Lions in July. 'We'll go through the process of identifying, particularly in these last two games, what wasn't robust, what isn't good enough yet and spend enough time in the off-season to put us in a better position,' he said. 'The British and Irish Lions game for us is around the corner. We'll have a short prep going into that. We'll run the same programme that we've been running into this game, we'll just see if we can do it better.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Larkham laments challenge of Super Rugby away days
COACH Stephen Larkham did not believe his ACT Brumbies side went into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waikato Chiefs in a negative frame of mind despite the team's dismal semi-final track record. The Brumbies crashed out in the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row as Larkham's side lost 37-17 to the Chiefs, who set up an all-New Zealand final against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next week. 'Psychologically, I thought we were in a good place, I thought our preparation was really good to build into this game from the other games that we've played,' said Larkham. 'I don't know if that was a factor. We certainly have spoken a lot to make sure that that doesn't come into it. 'It's hard to play away from home, whether it's in Australia or New Zealand. There is an advantage to the home side and I thought they played really well.' Larkham has been at the helm for three of the Brumbies' four semi-final losses, having also overseen a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023 ahead of last year's reversal against the Auckland Blues. Those defeats prompted the former Wallaby to launch reviews into his team's operations and Larkham vowed to go through a similar process when the current season concludes after his side's clash with the British and Irish Lions next month. 'We'll go through the process of identifying, particularly in these last two games, what wasn't robust, what isn't good enough yet and spend enough time in the off-season to put us in a better position,' he said. 'The British and Irish Lions game for us is around the corner. We'll have a short prep going into that. We'll run the same program that we've been running into this game, we'll just see if we can do it better.'
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Larkham laments challenge of Super Rugby away days after another semi-final loss
COACH Stephen Larkham did not believe his ACT Brumbies side went into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waikato Chiefs in a negative frame of mind despite the team's dismal semi-final track record. The Brumbies crashed out in the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row as Larkham's side lost 37-17 to the Chiefs, who set up an all-New Zealand final against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next week. 'Psychologically, I thought we were in a good place, I thought our preparation was really good to build into this game from the other games that we've played,' said Larkham. 'I don't know if that was a factor. We certainly have spoken a lot to make sure that that doesn't come into it. 'It's hard to play away from home, whether it's in Australia or New Zealand. There is an advantage to the home side and I thought they played really well.' Larkham has been at the helm for three of the Brumbies' four semi-final losses, having also overseen a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023 ahead of last year's reversal against the Auckland Blues. Those defeats prompted the former Wallaby to launch reviews into his team's operations and Larkham vowed to go through a similar process when the current season concludes after his side's clash with the British and Irish Lions next month. 'We'll go through the process of identifying, particularly in these last two games, what wasn't robust, what isn't good enough yet and spend enough time in the off-season to put us in a better position,' he said. 'The British and Irish Lions game for us is around the corner. We'll have a short prep going into that. We'll run the same program that we've been running into this game, we'll just see if we can do it better.'
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Larkham laments challenge of Super Rugby away days after another semi-final loss
Coach Stephen Larkham did not believe his ACT Brumbies side went into Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Waikato Chiefs in a negative frame of mind despite the team's dismal semi-final track record. The Brumbies crashed out in the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row as Larkham's side lost 37-17 to the Chiefs, who set up an all-New Zealand final against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next week. "Psychologically, I thought we were in a good place, I thought our preparation was really good to build into this game from the other games that we've played," said Larkham. "I don't know if that was a factor. We certainly have spoken a lot to make sure that that doesn't come into it. "It's hard to play away from home, whether it's in Australia or New Zealand. There is an advantage to the home side and I thought they played really well." Larkham has been at the helm for three of the Brumbies' four semi-final losses, having also overseen a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023 ahead of last year's reversal against the Auckland Blues. Those defeats prompted the former Wallaby to launch reviews into his team's operations and Larkham vowed to go through a similar process when the current season concludes after his side's clash with the British and Irish Lions next month. "We'll go through the process of identifying, particularly in these last two games, what wasn't robust, what isn't good enough yet and spend enough time in the off-season to put us in a better position," he said. "The British and Irish Lions game for us is around the corner. We'll have a short prep going into that. We'll run the same program that we've been running into this game, we'll just see if we can do it better." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
McKenzie kicks Chiefs to Super Rugby semi-final win over Brumbies
Both teams scored three tries in Hamilton but fly-half McKenzie landed eight shots from nine, including six penalty goals, in a 22-point haul as the Chiefs booked a place in next week's final against the Canterbury Crusaders. The Crusaders beat the Auckland Blues 21-14 on Friday and are seeking their eighth title in nine seasons. The Chiefs have not won the title since 2013, having lost in the final the past two seasons. All Blacks sharpshooter McKenzie was at the heart of a clinical Chiefs display, setting up two tries and saving one when he held up Brumbies fullback Tony Wright over the line. "Outstanding performance from the lads. Obviously the Brumbies came out of the blocks fast, like we knew they would, and I just loved the way we were really composed," the 30-year-old told Sky Sport. "When we got in their 22 we managed to come away with points most of the time, so very pleasing." The Brumbies lost Wallabies fly-half Noah Lolesio, who failed a head injury assessment in the opening minutes and was replaced by Jack Debreczeni. They soon had a one-man advantage when Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and capitalised with a try by hooker Billy Pollard from a lineout drive. The Chiefs responded with a clever try by winger Emoni Narawa, who scampered through at the base of a ruck to score. McKenzie converted and then landed all four of his penalty shots before the interval, with the Brumbies pushing too hard for turnovers at the breakdown. The visitors scored a second try before the break when Debreczeni picked out winger Corey Toole with a cross kick to trail 19-12. Toole crossed again through a fine solo try soon after the restart to close within two points. Narawa bagged his second following a break from McKenzie, who kicked two more penalties and threw the last pass to put replacement back Josh Jacomb over for their final score. "We had to play close to a perfect game to come over here and get the result," Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said. "We probably saw in the second half that our accuracy let us down and, off the back of that, probably our discipline as well." Saturday's decider in Christchurch will be the fourth successive all-New Zealand final since Super Rugby Pacific launched in 2022. The Brumbies have lost in the semi-finals in each of those seasons. No Australian team has won a play-off match in New Zealand in 21 attempts.
