2013 Super Rugby Final

Chiefs flanker Liam Messam was awarded man-of-the-match for the final

The Brumbies dominated the scoring early in the match, with their inside-centre Christian Lealiifano scoring three early penalties to give his team a 9–0 lead after 20 minutes. The Chiefs responded with three penalties of their own, all scored by Aaron Cruden, to level the scores 9–9 after 32 minutes.[5] The Brumbies were played a territory-based strategy,[6] and were the first team to score a try, when after 35 minutes, Chiefs' scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow threw an errant pass following being pressured by Brumbies' flanker George Smith; the resulting pass was intercepted by Lealiifano who ran 40 metres (130 ft) to score. The try was converted and the Brumbies led 16–9 at half-time.[5]

The Brumbies were awarded a penalty at the 45-minute mark, which they converted to lead 19–9. The Chiefs responded with a penalty three minutes later, but missed another penalty opportunity soon after.[5] When the Brumbies won possession at the break-down, a grubber kick was recovered by Brumbies' wing Clyde Rathbone, who was stopped with a try-saving tackle from Cruden.[7][8] From the resulting play the Brumbies attacked the Chiefs try-line, and the Television Match Official was asked to adjudicate whether the Brumbies had forced the ball over the line, but the result was inconclusive and a try was not awarded.[9] The Brumbies were awarded another penalty which they converted to leave the scores 22–12 after sixty minutes.[5][9] Following a sustained attack, and having the ball held up over the try-line,[8] the Chiefs were awarded a scrum five-metres from the Brumbies' line.[6][9] Chiefs' flanker Liam Messam scored from the resulting scrum, and the try was unconverted to narrow the Brumbies' lead to 22–17.[9] After attacking from their own half, Chiefs' substitute Robbie Robinson ran through a gap in the Brumbies' defence to score a try,[7] which was converted by Cruden to give the Chiefs the lead 24–22 after 72 minutes.[9] Two minutes later the Chiefs were awarded a penalty which they kicked to give them a five-point lead. The Brumbies attacked throughout the remainder of the match, but the Chiefs' defence held, and the match finished 27–22 to the Chiefs.[5][9]

The man-of-the-match was awarded to Messam.[10] A victory parade through Hamilton was hosted in the Chiefs' honour on 6 August 2013.[11]