KEY POINTS:
The Chiefs want a bit more composure in their option-taking tomorrow night as they try to build momentum in their Super 14 rugby campaign.
They face the Hurricanes in Wellington in a clash between two sides who have experienced similar fortunes over the first two rounds of the competition.
Both have 50 per cent records, having notched their first wins last weekend, the Hurricanes holding off the Queensland Reds and the Chiefs pipping the New South Wales Waratahs.
Back Mils Muliaina concedes the Chiefs' 20-17 success over the Waratahs via a last-minute penalty was a "lucky" one.
However, victory had been a big boost to morale and the trick now was to build on that result.
For the Chiefs, one focus in their preparations had been on reducing mistakes and improving continuity in their play.
Muliaina said this meant having a bit more patience and avoiding forcing risky passes.
"The thing about the new rules is that, yes, the game is bit faster and maybe guys are a bit flustered, thinking the ball's like a hot potato and you have to keep popping it when it's not really on," he said.
"We just have to cool things down and play the percentages."
Against the Hurricanes, Muliaina will move from his usual position of fullback to centre in a backline that has had to be reshuffled because of injury.
Regular centre Richard Kahui is absent owing to an ankle problem, while first-choice halfback Brendon Leonard was ruled out because of a haematoma in his left thigh.
Leonard's unavailability gives David Bason the chance to wear the No 9 jersey for the Chiefs for the first time.
While fullback is Muliaina's favoured position and where he has played much of his rugby for the All Blacks, he was happy to answer the call to slot into the midfield again.
"I'm always excited when I go into centre simply because I know you get your hands on the ball a lot more," he said.
Being closer to the action also meant a lot more decision-making.
"Obviously there's the contact side of things," he said.
"You really have to be on your game, and make sure you watch the opposition moves and know your role in the defensive structure."
Muliaina filled in at centre during the second half against the Waratahs after Kahui left the field having injured his ankle.
Coach Ian Foster has shifted winger Sitiveni Sivivatu to fullback and opted to pair Dwayne Sweeney with Muliaina in midfield.
Sweeney replaces Callum Bruce, who goes to the bench after having been the starting second five-eighth so far this season.
Foster has kept his starting pack intact.
Rival coach Colin Cooper has made one change to his 22, and it comes in the reserves.
Flanker Scott Waldrom replaces his brother, Thomas, with Cooper saying the move was to create competition within the squad.
If Scott Waldrom gets on the field, it will be just his third Super rugby appearance in five season, after his debut for the Crusaders in 2004 and a match for the Hurricanes in 2005.
The Hurricanes head into the contest with history on their side.
They are up 7-5 in all meetings between the two sides, have won three of their four matches in Wellington and have prevailed in four of their five previous encounters anywhere.
- NZPA
