The Chiefs have had to work for a place in next weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final, advancing to face the Crusaders with a 19-6 victory over the Brumbies at Hamilton's FMG Stadium.
In an encounter that saw nearly 80 minutes without a try scored, lock Brodie Retallick proved the unlikely gamewinner, scoring the only try of the night to give his side a shot at their first Super Rugby title since 2013.
The Chiefs will face the champion Crusaders at home in next weekend's decider, a replay of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Apart from Retallick, first-five Damian McKenzie proved to be invaluable for the Chiefs hopes of reaching the final - kicking a perfect four penalties from four attempts to ensure his side were never headed throughout.
As both sides traded kicks on a wet Hamilton night, the hosts opened the scoring through the boot of McKenzie, while Brumbies opposite Jack Debreczeni missed the opportunity to equalise just minutes later.
To make Debreczeni's night worse, he was forced from the field after half an hour, when his head was cut in a tackle and he failed a resulting concussion test.
On a night when running rugby took a backseat, McKenzie continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the Chiefs, kicking a second penalty, as the Brumbies struggled to create chances in the opposing half.
After replacing Debreczeni, replacement first-five Noah Lolesio got the Brumbies on the scoreboard with a penalty of his own, spurring the Chiefs into life at the end of the first half.
The Chiefs came close to grabbing the first try of the night, as hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho was held up. Despite repeated attempts to breach the Brumbies tryline, the Chiefs couldn't find the finishing touch and the two sides went into the break at 6-3 in the hosts' favour.
A tactical change saw a backline reshuffle early in the second half, as Josh Ioane replaced Etene Nanai-Seturo, moving McKenzie to fullback and Shaun Stevenson to the left wing.
McKenzie added a third penalty to move the Chiefs back to six points in front, but Lolesio responded with his second and keep the Brumbies within touching distance.
As 70 tryless minutes ticked over, McKenzie landed his most impressive kick of the night - his fourth penalty from the halfway line. On top of his excellence with the boot, he sparked the moment that finally sent the Chiefs into next week's final.
A break in midfield saw the diminutive playmaker scythe through the Brumbies line, sending Stevenson away on the left.
As the Chiefs straightened their attack towards the posts, Retallick went over to secure the win just two minutes from time with the only try of the night.
Victory gives the Chiefs a chance at revenge against the Crusaders, who took a 24-13 victory on home soil in the 2021 final.
This year, the Chiefs are 2-0 against their adversaries and will bank on home advantage, but they will be up against a champion side high on confidence, after Friday's 52-15 demolition of the Blues at Orangetheory Stadium.
Chiefs 19 (Retallick try; McKenzie conversion; McKenzie 4 penalties) Brumbies 6 (Lolesio 2 penalties)
Join Newshub at 7pm next Saturday for live updates of the Chiefs v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific final
