THEY won't be bringing the Super Rugby trophy they desperately wanted, but Canberra will still get their chance to thank the ACT Brumbies for a season that exceeded all expectations.
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A civic reception will be held for the Super Rugby runners-up at Civic Square on Thursday at 1pm, although it will be a subdued affair following their 27-22 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Brumbies will arrive home at Canberra Airport at 8.05pm on Sunday.
It was the Brumbies' first grand final since they won their second title in 2004, ending an eight-year finals drought in the process.
While the Brumbies didn't win, their fans managed to take over the Helm hotel, a Chiefs stronghold, before the game.
Brumbies general manager George De Crespigny said there were more than 1000 travelling supporters there before the game.
''This pub has been completely taken over by Brumbies supporters and it's a Chiefs hotel,'' he said.
''It's pretty cool. It's a pre- and post-game venue for Chiefs fans.
''There's Chiefs balloons everywhere yet the whole pub is full of Brumbies people.
''There's a Chiefs marquee completely inhabited by Brumbies fans.''