Rugby: Chiefs plan to defuse Steyn threat

Morne Steyn. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs intend targeting Morne Steyn by looking elsewhere in the Super 14 rugby final against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning (NZT).

The Bulls first five-eighth is a master at collecting the cheap points, his proficiency for dropped goals gaining Steyn the reputation of a serial heart breaker.

It was Steyn who ended the Crusaders' hopes of retaining their title last weekend when he supplied 21 points, including four dropped goals, in the Bulls' 36-23 semifinal win at their Loftus Versfeld fortress.

Operating behind a hardnosed, physically imposing and technically efficient set of forwards, Steyn normally has time on his side to direct his backline attacks, via boot or hand.

Chiefs assistant coach Craig Stevenson acknowledges the threat posed by Steyn, who has 10 Super 14 dropped goals beside his name this season alone.

But he insists the playmaker can be put off his stride providing close attention is paid to those around him.

"Obviously Morne is a very good player and he kicks the ball a long way, especially at altitude," Stevenson said.

"They do have a very, very good kicking game and we are going to have to close it down.

"We have to make sure we put pressure on his halfback (Fourie du Preez) and once again they have a very, very good halfback.

"As a forward pack we need to put pressure on to disrupt their ball and try to slow it down and make it untidy. Then we can get pressure on their kickers."

The Chiefs head into their first Super rugby final buoyed by the positive signs shown at training by international centre Richard Kahui.

The eight-test All Black missed the last two matches, including last Friday's home semifinal over the Hurricanes, because of a bruised calf muscle, but he has run freely at training since the Chiefs arrived in Pretoria.

Coach Ian Foster is due to confirm his playing 22 this afternoon (NZT), with Kahui expected to regain his spot at the expense of utility Dwayne Sweeney, who proved himself to be a more than able stand-in during Kahui's absence.

Foster has an interesting decision to make. While a fully fit Kahui will be accommodated there is more doubt over who will fill the hole left by injured left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Sweeney has occupied that position with aplomb this term, while another option is the outright pace offered by Sosene Anesi.

But that really is a side issue for the final when the Chiefs simply have to match the Bulls in the forward exchanges for them to stand a realistic chance of tipping over the title favourites.

The tough South African psyche takes some breaking down and men such as Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha do not flinch from any confrontation.

Stevenson said the Chiefs forwards took great heart from their effort against the Bulls in Pretoria last month, a game they lost 27-33.

"We know we can scrum well against them, our lineout worked well, and we just need to make sure we shut down their momentum.

"Our loose forwards have been defending really well off our set piece and our props have been getting in to help there too.

"We know we are up against a huge challenge against a huge forward pack.

"But we only have 80 minutes of rugby left and we are looking forward to that challenge."

- NZPA