Stalemate scuppers Chiefs and Brumbies

The Brumbies and Chiefs killed of each other's faint Super 12 rugby title hopes with an enthralling eight-try 28-28 draw at Canberra Stadium last night, an outcome which also put a downer on Owen Finegan's home town farewell.

A groin injury to Byron Kelleher may also have serious repercussions ahead of the Lions series, the All Blacks halfback limped off in the 30th minute and was in discomfort after the match. He will be assessed by medical staff today when the team returns home.

Trailing 28-14 after Stirling Mortlock's second try with 20 minutes to play, everything appeared to be going to script for the England-bound Wallabies veteran but a stirring comeback but the travel-weary Chiefs left both sides with three points from a helter-skelter encounter.

Chiefs goalkicker David Hill had a chance to win the match in the 76th minute but the second five-eighth, who was flawless landing sideline attempts, pushed a handy attempt wide from 23-metres after the Brumbies were penalised for collapsing a defensive scrum.

Mortlock's double and his driving over of Finegan for the Brumbies third try late in the first half capped a strong game for the centre but an inspired substitution by Chiefs coach Ian Foster reaped instant rewards for the visitors.

A barnstorming Sione Lauaki, introduced for Wayne Ormond, laid on a try for chunky Chiefs centre Niva Ta'auso in the 65th minute -- although South African referee Tappe Henning missed a possible knock on in the build-up -- to narrow the gap to 21-28.

The Chiefs will feel justice was done as Henning controversially ruled out a 12th minute try to Kelleher after ruling lock Bernie Upton had obstructed Finegan at a ruck.

Three minutes after Ta'auso scored menacing Fijian wing Sitiveni Sivivatu tied up the contest, as the elusive runner skipped outside Clyde Rathbone for a deserved score.

With both teams desperate for a match-winning play a frantic final five minutes ensued with Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm going closest to breaking the deadlock -- other than Hill -- when he was tackled into touch by fullback Adrian Cashmore.

The Chiefs, despite a tough road trip to South Africa dominated the second half with some astute kicking and powerful forward play.

Earlier the signs were ominous for the visitors who found themselves 14-0 after 16 minutes after slippery halfback Matt Henjak burst clear from the base of a ruck and Mortlock rounded off a Matt Giteau break.

The Chiefs got on the board on the half hour when Ta'auso capped a strong midfield burst from No.8 Steven Bates.

Facing a 7-21 halftime deficit the Chiefs needed a strong start to the second stanza and delivered when prop Ben Castle dotted down four minutes into the half after a sweeping advance from a turnover.

The momentum swung the Chiefs way after the score but when Mortlock burst through the attempted tackle of Stephen Donald to race 40-metres under the sticks against the run of play it seemed last year's surprise semifinalists would be thwarted.

However, the homeward-bound Chiefs finished the stronger and will rue Hill's second handy penalty miss.

The Brumbies now have 24 points and the Chiefs 23, leaving them out of contention for the play-offs.

The Chiefs complete their campaign against the Highlanders in Hamilton while the Brumbies finish up against Queensland in Brisbane.

Brumbies 28 (Stirling Mortlock 2, Matt Henjak, Owen Finegan tries; Stirling Mortlock 4 cons)

Chiefs 28 (Niva Ta'auso 2, Ben Castle, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries; David Hill 4 cons)

Halftime 21-7.

- NZPA