By CHRIS RATTUE
The Chiefs still hope No 8 Deon Muir will be fit for what looks like an early make-or-break match against the Crusaders tonight.
The Chiefs need every resource possible to upset the All Blacks-studded opposition and Muir's presence might be the most important.
He ran a fitness test last night that was supposed to determine his availability, but Chiefs coach Kevin Greene decided to allow his captain another 12 hours to prove his fitness.
The two sides have met early in the Super 12 programme for the past three seasons, with the Crusaders winning each encounter, two by big margins.
And while it may be harsh to say there are early signs of problems with the Hamilton-based franchise, they were slack in vital areas against a lively but limited Waratahs unit in Rotorua in the first round.
Greene has made two key changes, bringing Danny Lee and David Hill into the halves.
Previous coach John Mitchell identified Hill as the pivot to lead the Chiefs into the future, but he struck an early injury problem this season which saw Glen Jackson start at first five-eighths against the Waratahs.
But Hill's calmness in rugby's most vital position, and his uncanny ability to slide through holes around the fringes, is needed to give the Chiefs momentum.
Lee replaces Rhys Duggan, a halfback from the school of opportunism who was laboured against the Waratahs. Lee was a vital cog early last season when the Chiefs made a dab for the semifinals.
The glaring problem against the Waratahs was an inability to turn opportunity into points. The backline was static compared to a Waratahs side who used simple, sharp running to cut through a defence that was unable to recover going backwards.
Muir went off in the eighth minute with a leg injury and his do-or-die presence means so much to a team that has limited resources compared to the Crusaders or the Blues.
The odds lean towards a heavy Crusaders win tonight. They showed their former command of tight situations - something missing last season - in sneaking past the Highlanders in the first round.
The result would have given Robbie Deans' side enormous confidence and even though Chris Jack and Ben Blair - a couple of All Black heroes last year - will be missing, any side who can start with 13 All Blacks and leave Greg Somerville on the bench have far more resources than the Chiefs.
Maybe an indication of the relative strengths is that Somerville will be joined by two other test players, Daryl Gibson and Mark Robinson, on the sideline.
The Chiefs, who have a decent sprinkling of fringe All Blacks, want to turn their revamped home ground in Hamilton into a place where visitors fear to tread. But they have struck a powerful opponent first-up.
A big crowd is expected at the Waikato Stadium tonight. Those fans could prove the difference, but their opponents are well versed in dealing with big-match situations.
Super 12 schedule/scoreboard
Chiefs wait and hope for Muir
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