KEY POINTS:
Anointed as the chosen ones among New Zealand's Super 14 rugby contenders, the Chiefs' honeymoon period could end abruptly if they can't beat the Hurricanes tomorrow night.
After failing to live up to the hype in a 15-21 loss to the ACT Brumbies last weekend, the Chiefs are acutely aware a loss to the severely depleted Hurricanes at Hamilton will see familiar accusatory fingers pointing at the perennial under-achievers.
Although the tournament is still in its formative stages, the Waikato Stadium match could still have serious ramifications for the losers.
Last year's runners-up the Hurricanes, already shorn of an All Blacks loose forward trio and first round captain Conrad Smith, face little respite if they don't get off the mark. Tough matches against the Blues and Brumbies loom in rounds three and four.
And the Chiefs, with at least a bonus point to show from their Brumbies defeat, would rather pack their bags for South Africa with a tick in the win column.
In response to disappointing losses, both sides have made multiple changes.
In the Chiefs' case forwards Craig West and Toby Lynn are being blooded at Super rugby level as coach Ian Foster anticipates collateral damage during their three-game road trip.
The Hurricanes have already suffered.
Prop John Schwalger (neck) is doubtful while Smith is out for a couple of weeks after having an eye poked against the Reds, though his absence is offset by the starting return of wily campaigner Tana Umaga.
While Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper is happy to reinstate Umaga in midfield, he admits the breakdown -- an area of weakness against the Reds -- looms as his side's biggest challenge.
"It continues to be a shitfight and what compounds it is there's another referee and a different interpretation this week," he said.
"If we put phases together we'll be OK but we're up against a very good loose trio .... (Liam) Messam is an All Black in waiting."
Chiefs assistant coach Warren Gatland, who watched Jono Gibbes and Marty Holah being yellow carded -- admitted discipline had to be better this week.
"We've learnt a couple of hard lessons," Gatland said.
"Tom Willis was also penalised for asking the referee an innocuous question, marched 10m and they kicked three points from that."
The Blues had Troy Flavell sinbinned for rucking last Friday night and the abrasive former All Black can expect to be under the spotlight again -- at least from Brumbies players in Canberra on Saturday night.
"He's really tough around the breakdown, we've got to take steps to nullify him, go against him and overcome him," said Brumbies second rower Mark Chisholm.
Stephen Larkham, back from paternity duty, will be in charge of implementing most of the strategy although centre Stirling Mortlock is named despite still being rated just a 50-50 chance after being concussed against the Chiefs.
Blues coach David Nucifora, back in his old stomping ground as a head coach for the first time since his demise in 2004, was forced to replace the midfield of Sam Tuitupou and Isaia Toeava, who were so impressive in the tournament-opening win over the Crusaders. Another impressive pair, Luke McAlister and Anthony Tuitavake, will wear 12 and 13 respectively.
Another trans-Tasman clash looms in Christchurch on Saturday, where the Crusaders insist extending their record 22-game home winning streak is of secondary importance when the buoyant Reds run onto Jade Stadium.
Stung by a patchy 25-34 loss to the Blues last weekend, the Crusaders simply want to put away a Reds team who play conservative, yet effective, forward dominated rugby under Eddie Jones.
Underlining the ravages of the All Blacks conditioning programme, only five players remain from the side who won last year's final.
- NZPA
