Australian rugby fans dropped their heads when the Brumbies’ hopes of making the Super Rugby final blew up last weekend.

But that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be any Australian representation in the final. Far from it, in fact.

Three Australians will take to the field in Christchurch on Saturday evening: famous Wallaby James O’Connor, rising All Blacks star Tamaiti Williams and Wallaby-in-waiting, Aidan Ross, who played one Test for New Zealand in July, 2022.

Ross, 29, brought up his 100th Super Rugby match a fortnight ago in the Chiefs’ qualifying loss to the Blues.

On Saturday night, he will run out for his 101st, last, and most important match for the Hamilton-based Super Rugby franchise as Ross looks to bring the curtain down on his time at the club in style after consecutive defeats in the final over the past two years.

“We’ve been close quite a few times now, so to taste a championship would be a fairytale ending,” he told The Roar.

Chiefs veteran Aidan Ross will play his last match for the New Zealand franchise before switching to the Reds. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Few would have paid attention to Ross 12 months ago on this side of the ditch, but his decision to sign with Les Kiss’ Reds changed that.

Throw in the fact that the Gosford-born Ross will become eligible for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies ahead of the first Lions Test and suddenly the rugged loose-head prop is a must-watch for Australian selectors.

Ross knows the enormity of Saturday’s final too, with more than silverware potentially at stake.

But for a man who knows the importance of stability at a set-piece, he’s not about to lose his head either.

“The timing’s unreal,” he said. “But what I do know is when you look too far into the future, it can bite yourself in the arse.

“I’ve just got to be really focused on where my feet are now. I’ve got to nail what I’m doing right now.

“I’m a strong believer that everything else will take care of itself.

“I’ve got to nail it with the Chiefs. They’ve given me the last nine years of my life, it’s everything I know in rugby. I owe it to them to try to bring a title back to that club before that door shuts and I open a new journey.”

Aidan Ross played one Test for the All Blacks in 2022, but will become eligible for the Wallabies next month. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

A rugged loose-head prop, Ross rarely makes the highlights reel but few play 100 matches for the Chiefs unless you’re top shelf. In fact, in the club’s history, Ross is the only prop to play more than 100 matches.

That fact won’t have been lost on the Wallabies selectors, especially given the shortage of seasoned props on Australian shores.

So how much did the eligibility factor play in the decision to leave the Chiefs?

“It wasn’t everything, but it’s definitely a sweetener,” he said.

“I guess a part of me as well as a professional rugby player, you don’t want to just be happy doing what you’re doing. You want to strive for bigger and greater things and goals.

“I guess having a fresh goal there to try and achieve is huge for me, too. It’s something to aim for. It’s definitely something I want to strive towards.”

Born and raised on the NSW Central Coast to New Zealand parents, it wasn’t until Ross moved across the ditch that he started playing rugby.

He quickly discovered he had a bit of go about him, too.

“I started playing union as soon as I got to New Zealand,” he said.

“To be fair, it was the only sport I ever played. I dabbled in cricket, but I got ducks and was a shocking bowler. My mates played rugby, so I stuck at it and here we are.”

Aidan Ross will call Ballymore home in 2026 after signing a two-year deal with the Reds. Photo: Queensland Reds Media

It’s a good thing he did, too.

Despite being on the verge of switching allegiances, Ross says he’ll forever “cherish” the fact he got the chance to live out a childhood dream of playing for the All Blacks.

“I’ve got many huge accomplishments throughout my career. It’s definitely one of them,” he said.

“For the most part of my childhood, I grew up in New Zealand. It’s honestly every Kiwi boy’s dream to wear an All Blacks jersey. I still say that now, even coming to Australia. It’s a childhood dream.

“Everything I said back then, I still hold closely. When you’re in New Zealand, you want to wear an All Blacks jersey. It is huge, and I cherish it.

“No matter what my future holds, I’ll still cherish that moment very dearly for the rest of my life.”

And in good news for Australian rugby fans, Ross, like any front-rower worth their salt, should continue to age like a fine wine as he nudges closer to his 30th birthday.

“They say that, apparently,” Ross said. “We’ll find out.”