Chiefs, Blues know the score

There is no respite for the Blues or Chiefs as they stare at the closing stages of the Super 14.

Towards the end of the week the Chiefs will cobble together a midfield combination for Saturday's meeting with the Hurricanes, but right now that alliance is a riddle.

Centre Niva Ta'auso is an unlikely starter because of another ankle problem, Mils Muliaina is marginal because of his groin injury, Sam Tuitupou needs a fitness test while Mark Ranby may recover in time from his ailments.

That list of injured midfielders is not the sort of information the Chiefs need for their must-win scrap with quality Hurricanes opponents like Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu and Tane Tuipolotu.

Add in Jono Gibbes' sore ribs which seem sure to keep him out of Saturday's match at the Cake Tin and the medical bulletin is not so sharp for the Chiefs.

But unlike the Blues, they remain in the chase for a play-offs place.

The Blues meet the Cheetahs, who return to their home ground in Bloemfontein after four defeats on the road in Australasia. Before they left, the Cheetahs had won four of their opening six matches and shown the gritty style which brought them the Currie Cup and promotion to the Super 14.

The Cheetahs lost their skipper Juan Smith with a knee injury for their road trip but the Springbok loose forward has recovered and is confident of starting the match against the Blues, as is another Springbok loose forward, Hendro Scholtz.

Smith was confident the Cheetahs could get over their jetlag and rediscover their winning ways at home against the Blues.

"The Sharks showed us in Durban how to beat the Blues," he said. "The Sharks forwards got the upper hand against the Blues and laid the foundation for the victory."