Rugby: Chiefs feel they're almost there

Tana Umaga is tackled during the round one Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs will strive to end a long Hamilton drought when they meet Super 15 newcomers Melbourne tomorrow night.

After losses in Canberra and Dunedin in the opening rounds of the expanded competition, the Chiefs will make their first appearance of the season at their main home venue of Waikato Stadium.

However, it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for them for some time.

They failed to win any of their six matches there last year, and were belted 46-19 by the Waratahs on their last appearance.

The last time the Chiefs tasted victory in Hamilton was in May 2009, when they beat the Hurricanes in a Super 14 semifinal.

For skipper Mils Muliaina and his teammates, victory over the Rebels would help to repay the faith of their fans.

"We haven't won here for a very, very long time, and the guys are just itching to get out there," he said.

"The great thing about the Chiefs' region is that they're really loyal fans.

"Regardless of how you're going, they still want to get out there and ring the cowbells. For us, it's about trying to pay back their loyalty."

After a great start last year with wins away to the Sharks, Lions and Western Force, the Chiefs' fortunes fell away and they managed just one more victory - against the Highlanders at their alternative home venue of Mt Maunganui.

The best result they've managed in their last six matches of the season has been a draw, against the Cheetahs in Hamilton.

As the winless streak has continued into the new campaign, Muliaina pinpointed three areas for improvement - the ability to be patient, the set pieces and discipline.

"There's a lot of key focuses, but patience with ball in hand, set piece and discipline are the main things we've talked about," he said.

"If we get those right, we're almost there for a complete performance."

After making eight changes to his starting 15 following the 28-20 loss to the Brumbies, coach Ian Foster has made five in the wake of the 23-13 defeat to the Highlanders.

Two were forced by injury, prop Toby Smith (knee) and lock Hayden Triggs (back) being replaced by Ben May and Craig Clarke.

Among the backs, veteran Tana Umaga returns to second five-eighth after sitting out against the Highlanders, while Brendon Leonard and Stephen Donald are restored to the No 9 and 10 jerseys after coming off the bench at Carisbrook.

The Rebels, on the other hand, have gone for stability, coach Rod Macqueen keeping the same 15 that started for their upset 25-24 victory over the Brumbies last Friday night.

That win was based on plenty of defensive resolve against opponents who had the majority of the possession and territory, and it came just seven days after the Rebels were handed a 43-0 drubbing by the Waratahs.

"They D-ed up and took their opportunities well, and to come back and win like that was outstanding, considering the week prior to that," Muliaina said.

"For us, it's about fixing those things I spoke about.

"If we can do that, it will go a long way to stopping some of their attacking options."

Chiefs v Rebels
Hamilton, tomorrow 7.35pm

* Chiefs:Mils Muliaina (c), Lelia Masaga, Dwayne Sweeney, Tana Umaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Isaac Ross, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Ben May.

Reserves: Sona Taumalolo, Hika Elliot, Romana Graham, Steven Setephano, Taniela Moa, Mike Delany, Tim Nanai-Williams.

* Rebels: Mark Gerrard, Lachlan Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (c), Julian Huxley, Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman, Jarrod Saffy, Kevin O'Neill, Adam Byrnes, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson.

Reserves: Heath Tessman, Laurie Weeks, Alister Campbell, Tom Chamberlin, Richard Kingi, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Peter Betham.

- NZPA