KEY POINTS:
The Chiefs are taking their bad medicine in one big dose.
And they'll be praying their deep injury crisis has bottomed out as they prepare for a three-game stretch in South Africa.
The double blow of losing captain Jono Gibbes and wing-fullback Sosene Anesi during their 39-32 loss to the Hurricanes in Hamilton leaves them facing a familiar position - having to clamber up the ladder to get into playoff contention.
Anesi fractured two bones in his neck against the Hurricanes and, barring a remarkable recovery, is likely to miss the rest of the season.
Lock Gibbes tore a calf muscle inside the first five minutes and is out for at least four weeks.
Four other players are jostling for space on the medical table but key forwards Keith Robinson and Sione Lauaki, who have yet to play in the Super 14, hope to be ready for the match against the Bulls in a fortnight. The Chiefs squad headed for South Africa with Bay of Plenty midfield back Cory Aporo and Counties-Manukau lock Andrew van der Heijden, members of their wider training group, on board.
They will remain in South Africa until centre Richard Kahui - still in Hamilton recovering from a bruised shoulder - and Robinson are fit to play.
Given their woes, the South African itinerary offers one small hope. First up on Saturday morning, in Cape Town, they play the Stormers, who have been dreadful so far. And they won't be at altitude until next week.
"We have shown we can come home strong in this championship, so maybe that is our strength," coach Ian Foster said. "I didn't want it to be, but maybe it is. We just have to give it a crack in South Africa."
At least they have three bonus points, two more than this time last year.
And if they are looking for good omens, two points was the margin by which they missed out on the semifinals a year ago.
Medical bulletin
* Sosene Anesi: Two fractured bones in his neck. Probably out for the season.
* Tasesa Lavea: Medial ligament injury. Out for 5-6 weeks.
* Richard Kahui: Shoulder injury. Might be fit to play in a fortnight.
* Keith Robinson: Calf injury recovering, hopes to be fit for the Bulls, February 24.
* Sione Lauaki: Broken wrist. Hopes to be fit to face the Bulls.
* Jono Gibbes: Torn calf muscle. Out for 4-6 weeks.
