The ACT Brumbies have expressed their desire to eliminate the referee from Sunday's semi-final rematch as they chase redemption against the Waikato Chiefs.
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The franchise was left seething following last year's controversial 19-6 loss in Hamilton, with a number of decisions going against the visitors.
The match swung midway through the second half when multiple apparent Chiefs indiscretions went unpunished. The decisions triggered rare public criticism of the referees from ACT coach Stephen Larkham.
It was the second-straight year the Brumbies fell victim to controversial refereeing in a Super Rugby semi-final in New Zealand, after they were denied a late penalty against the Auckland Blues in 2022.
The wounds from both losses remain raw, with ACT players and staff spending the off-season plotting revenge in Sunday afternoon's Super Round clash against the Chiefs.
While the rematch is on Australian soil, the Brumbies are not expecting any favours from the referees and have vowed to ensure the officials are not a factor in their quest to vanquish last year's demons.
"We haven't talked about [the loss] too much but it's playing on everyone's minds," Lonergan said. "We're keen to verse them and they're a good team to verse so everyone is excited."
Lonergan said the Brumbies were keen to send a statement with the entire competition assembling in Melbourne for the weekend.
"After losing to them in the semi-finals, it would be good to get one up on them early in the season."
Larkham has named a largely settled squad for the clash, with two changes to the side that beat the Rebels.
Sefo Kautai will start at tighthead prop, with Rhys van Nek dropping back to the bench and Harrison Goddard is in line for his Brumbies debut. The 25-year-old has been named substitute scrumhalf behind skipper Ryan Lonergan after overcoming a minor calf injury.
Discipline has been a hot topic at Brumbies HQ throughout the week after they conceded 20 penalties in last Friday's season-opening win against the Melbourne Rebels.
![ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made a handful of changes to his side. Pictures by Keegan Carroll ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made a handful of changes to his side. Pictures by Keegan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/GzY3iczng7SLWqVgHSV78t/2568ebcc-b5a2-4f03-9d66-6797cd291f6b.png/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Rebels conceded just 10 and used the discrepancy to make 18 entries into the attacking 22-metre zone. The Brumbies were good enough to defend their way to victory and did not concede a try in the bonus point win.
ACT players recognise they won't be so fortunate on Sunday afternoon, and know the Chiefs will strike where the Rebels couldn't.
"It was annoying [to concede so many penalties] but they're easy fixes," Lonergan said. "We've looked at them and it's just stupid stuff around the ruck so we've got to be a lot better there.
"We didn't get pinged on the weekend for it, but the Chiefs would take every opportunity they can so we've got to be good in that part."