KEY POINTS:
Odd things have been going on in this Super 14.
Take the Lions. Throughout the Super 12, their Johannesburg-based predecessors the Cats were all meow with barely a scratch made in anger.
In the first 14-team edition last year, they won two of their 13 games. At the
start of this season, renamed the Lions, they'd won 35 of 125 games.
But those anticipating more of the same, a near guaranteed four or five-pointer for their opponents, have been scratching their heads as the old pussycats have grown a mane, developed a roar and sharpened their claws.
The Chiefs, chasing their first win against the Lions in Hamilton tonight, are certainly awake to what the South African mob have achieved.
The Lions lie sixth, with four wins, including two on their road trips, at Perth and Brisbane.
"They've definitely got a lot of pride and spirit about them," Chiefs stand-in captain hooker Tom Willis said.
"They've got an abrasive pack and in Andre Pretorius and Jaque Fourie they've got gamebreakers."
He could have added that they have earned respect, something which was lacking through their Super 12 years, other than 2000 and 2001, when former All Black coach Laurie Mains dragged them into the semifinals.
They have some decent grunt up front and if seven tries from six matches is not a ratio to set the pulse racing, the bottom line is they've learnt how to win games.
The Blues gave them a first-half pummelling last weekend, but the second half was a 7-all draw, which is relevant in only one sense: the Lions didn't chuck in the towel at halftime.
Most interest in the Chiefs will centre on what Tasesa Lavea brings to the backline on his return after five weeks sidelined by injury.
The coaching staff want his experience to shore up the backline and he will offer another kicking option alongside Stephen Donald. Expect a muscular battle up front where the Chiefs are pretty useful and the Lions are no slouches.
"We've been able to produce quality ball and put other teams under pressure, but it's still a work in progress," Willis said of the Chiefs scrum, where he, Simms Davison and Nathan White stack up as well as most front rows in the competition.
The Chiefs will fancy their chances if they can move their opponents about the park. They have strong ball carriers in Sione Lauaki and Kristian Ormsby, while No 8 Liam Messam and Marty Holah can be influential figures if there's plenty of movement.
But, given that they're still waiting for their first win, and knowing what a buoyant effect that will have on his players, coach Ian Foster will probably settle for a no-frills, few thrills slugfest, as long as the Chiefs come out on top.
