Brumbies looking to counter Chiefs in make or break Super Rugby clash

The nature of the five-match tournament with the top two advancing to a final means the romance of a late finals charge simply doesn't exist.

All five Australian clubs dropped their opening round matches, putting their Aotearoa counterparts on the front foot in the pursuit of a ticket to the final.

The Brumbies are determined to ignite their campaign and come away with their first win when they face the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

But they will have to shut down the Chiefs' lethal counter attack if they are to go one better than round one's agonising loss in Christchurch.

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"That was a huge point for us, touching on that when we came over last week. We knew most New Zealand teams thrive off turnover attack," Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said.

"For us, the abilities to jump on loose ball but then to scramble for each other and connect is definitely important. We know the Chiefs are obviously very dangerous from turnover attack.

"That's something we have worked on throughout our defence. It all just comes down to the boys scrambling hard for each other.

"We don't want to go one out in terms of trying to kill the ball or trying to shut down the play straight away. Our first thing is to connect, see who is beside you and not let each other down."

For the Chiefs, who snuck away with a one-point win over the Western Force last week, the Brumbies' scrum looms as a major test.

The Brumbies will be bolstered by the return of flanker Tom Cusack and hooker Connal McInerney off the bench.

"Those boys have been out for a little while but they have that fresh feel, and that keenness to get on the field and rip in for the boys," Alaalatoa said.

"We definitely know these games go to the full 80, so to have that experience off the bench is awesome for us.

"[Cusack is] someone who drives a lot of messages and leads by his actions, and has the respect of the group."

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN ROUND TWO

Saturday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at Waikato Stadium, 5.05pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.

ACT Brumbies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Mack Hansen

Waikato Chiefs squad: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Brad Weber (c), 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Chase Tiatia. Replacements: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Zane Kapeli, 20. Pita Gus Sowakula, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Rameka Poihipi, 23. Kaleb Trask