Australia's struggles across the pond are well documented but even the staunchest Super Rugby fan would wince at our 0-16 record in NZ-hosted finals.
The Brumbies (0-7), Waratahs (0-6) and Reds (0-3) are all yet to taste knockout victory on Kiwi soil since Super Rugby went professional with the hoodoo dating back to ACT's 23-7 grand final loss to Auckland in 1997.
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The statistic isn't lost on Reds coach Les Kiss, who admitted his fair share of defeat touring New Zealand with the Waratahs and Irish national teams
"It’s hard to win in New Zealand," Kiss told media on Monday.
"All we can do is be our best and put on the table how we play and go at this game with the plan we’ve designed and give it our best shot
"Things are possible but we’re going to have to be our best to break that hoodoo."
For his part, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is determined to extend his country's winning ways.
"I don’t know what’s more daunting, Australian teams potentially never having won finals in New Zealand or being the first team that loses to an Australian team in the finals," McMillan told media on Monday.
"Equally as daunting I think but we try not to think about those things. You hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
Queensland will launch this year's first offensive in Friday night's clash with the Chiefs while Melbourne Rebels get their maiden finals chance against the Hurricanes
The opportunity isn't lost on Rebels coach Kevin Foote, who told media a finals win in New Zealand would be the "ultimate in rugby".
"It'd mean everything, because you give people hope and rugby is about hope," Foote said.
"If we're to go on to play in the top four, that would just be another step...History tells you that the Australian teams haven't done well but you're only one result away from doing something special.
"I’ve got the utmost respect to travel into New Zealand and win, doesn’t matter if it’s finals or not. It’s the ultimate in rugby to get over there and be successful."
2023 (Semi Final) - Chiefs 19 def Brumbies 6
Look away, Brumbies fans - this one's still raw.
ACT were well in this one and trailed 9-6 after 70 bruising minutes with Noah Lolesio and Damian McKenzie trading penalties.
But it was McKenzie who emerged on top, nailing a long-range penalty to skip clear before setting up Brodie Retallick for the match-sealing try.
2023 (Quarter Final) - Chiefs 29 def Reds 20
Last year, the Reds pushed the Chiefs all the way in Hamilton, leading with ten minutes to go.
They outscored the hosts three tries to two but the boot of Damian McKenzie allowed the Chiefs to tick over the scoreboard.
A late try to Pita Gus Sowakula sealed the win for the Chiefs as the Reds return to Hamilton looking for revenge
2023 (Quarter Final) - Blues 41 def Waratahs 12
The Waratahs were blown off the park against the Blues.
They scored 38 unanswered points as they showcased the form that got them into the Trans-Tasman final.
Tries on either side of the break helped take the contest away from the Waratahs, once again eliminated in the quarter-finals by a Kiwi side in New Zealand
2022 (Semi Final) - Blues 20 def Brumbies 19
The closest a team has come to an elusive playoff win in NZ.
The Blues looked certain to close out the Brumbies when they took a 20-7 half-time lead, only for a double to Lachlan Lonergan giving the visitors life.
Noah Lolesio’s last minute drop goal was blocked whilst they were desperately unlucky not to win a penalty that would’ve given them a long-range attempt to clinch the game.
2022 (Quarter Final) - Crusaders 37 def Reds 15
The Crusaders overpowered the Reds to secure their second win in consecutive weeks over Brad Thorn’s men.
Like in 2023, the Reds started strong and narrowly trailed with 30 minutes to go.
However, two quick tries ended any hope of a comeback as Will Jordan sealed the win and the start of their march to the title.
2022 (Quarter Final) - Chiefs 39 def Waratahs 15
The Chiefs punished the Waratahs in Hamilton to end their rapid revival.
It was built off the back of a dominant first half as the hosts took a 27-10 lead into the break.
Brad Weber scored a double as they cruised to victory with a controlled second half.
2015 (Semi Final) - Hurricanes 29 def Brumbies 9
The 2015 All Black-laden Hurricanes were always going to be tough at home and the Brumbies never really got going in this one.
Christian Lealiifano and Jesse Mogg banked penalties either side of halftime but the Canes were rarely troubled with the Savea brothers and prime Beauden Barrett pulling strings in a four-try win.
TJ Perenara and current Rebels centre Matt Proctor also scored for the hosts in a one-sided affair.
2013 (Final) - Chiefs 27 def Brumbies 22
Another one that got away from the Brumbies.
Jake White’s side took a 16-9 lead into the break and two further penalties to Christian Lealiifano had Canberra fans dreaming of a title.
However, man-of-the-match Liam Messam turned the tide with a try, followed over by Robbie Robinson to take an unlikely lead, holding on for dear life to claim their second straight championship.
2013 (Qualifying Final) - Crusaders 38 def Reds 9
The Crusaders got revenge for 2011 with a near-perfect performance against the Reds.
Ryan Crotty set the tempo early as their defence stood up, with the visitors’ points coming from a trio of Quade Cooper penalty goals.
Meanwhile, Dan Carter scored 20 points as Crotty’s second sealed the win for the hosts.
2011 (Qualifying Final) - Blues 26 def Waratahs 13
The Blues outgunned the Waratahs in a tense encounter.
The visitors started strong through Tom Cater for an early lead before Lachie Munro took over the game.
He scored six minutes after Carter’s effort before nailing a trio of penalties as they kicked clear for the victory.
2008 (Final) - Crusaders 20 def Waratahs 12
The Waratahs had their dream of a maiden title crushed once again by the Crusaders.
A double to Lachie Turner gave them a 12-6 lead before Mose Tuiali’i crossed right before the break.
The boot of Dan Carter extended the lead for the hosts, with the Waratahs unable to capitalise on a yellow card to outgoing Reds coach Brad Thorn.
2006 (Semi Final) - Hurricanes 16 def Waratahs 14
The Waratahs pushed the Hurricanes all the way in front of a packed Sky Stadium.
Having lost their clash a week earlier, the ‘Tahs looked set for a famous victory when they hit the front with ten minutes to go.
However, a late penalty from Jimmy Gopperth from halfway proved the difference and denied back-to-back finals for the NSW side.
2005 (Final) - Crusaders 35 def Waratahs 25
The Crusaders continued their stranglehold on Super Rugby, claiming yet another title.
An early try to Scott Hamilton and the boot of Dan Carter gave the hosts an early lead before they kicked clear.
21 unanswered points put the game out the reach for the Waratahs despite a couple of late tries to Matt Rogers
2003 (Semi Final) - Blues 42 def Brumbies 21
The Blues took advantage of a depleted Brumbies side to cruise into the finals.
The Brumbies snuck into the finals and with backline trio Stephen Larkham, Andrew Walker and Matt Giteau going down with injury, struggled to handle the Blues’ firepower.
The Blues were ruthless as they took a 22-0 half-time lead, kicking clear in the second half for victory.
2002 (Final) - Crusaders 31 def Brumbies 13
The Brumbies couldn’t repeat their magic after thumping semi-final over the Waratahs, dominated by the Crusaders.
Marika Vunibaka’s storming effort gave the hosts an 11-3 ahead the break before Andrew Walker’s 13 points got the visitors back in the contest
Caleb Ralph then blew the Brumbies away in the last ten minutes, scoring a quick double to seal the title.
1997 (Final) - Blues 23 def Brumbies 7
The drought started in the 1997 final as the Blues claimed back-to-back titles.
Tries to Craig Dowd and Michael Jones allowed the hosts to build a commanding lead.
Fullback Adrian Cashmore contributed 13 points as they controlled the contest for the win.
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