KEY POINTS:
If the key component in kicking is timing, then All Blacks technical expert Mick Byrne has it in spades.
A visit from the man who oversees the All Blacks kickers to the Chiefs training last week was just what Stephen Donald needed.
He had been struggling with his
goalkicking from one particular part of the ground, wide on the right. Byrne gave him a few tips and Donald bagged six out of six - including three tricky shots from that problem area across an awkward wind - in the Chiefs' 38-34 win over the Highlanders.
"He's been outstanding," first five-eighths Donald said of Australian Byrne's input. "He gave me a simple thing to work on and it worked."
Donald, who has taken over the senior goalkicking job with the departure overseas of ultra-reliable David Hill at the end of last year, is thriving, and scoring at a 72 per cent success rate.
Of the regular kickers in the Super 14, only Reds fullback Clinton Schifcofske, at 76 per cent, and Waratahs back Peter Hewat, on 73 per cent, better Donald's numbers.
He's not doing anything different technically from previous seasons but knowing he's the first cab off the kicking rank has helped. And he's put a dusty start behind him, when he missed all four shots in the opening-round loss to the Brumbies.
"Now there's nowhere to duck or hide. As long as my form held, it was going to be my job and I've felt at ease with it," he said.
"I've looked forward to doing it. Where in the past I might have been a bit anxious, I haven't let it bother me."
A spot of yoga hasn't hurt either. Donald, a New Zealand representative at secondary schools, Colts and Junior All Black level, describes himself as the most physically inflexible person he knows.
Again, in stepped Byrne, suggesting yoga would be worth a try.
So, along with Chiefs mates Marty Holah and Brendon Leonard, he heads for the yoga class once a week, and he's noticed the difference.
"[Byrne] said, 'You've got to get more flexible'. He said I was not going to improve my distance, or this or that, until that happens. I've made a conscious effort, going to yoga and constantly stretching, and it's been quite a big help."
Donald will revive his five-eighths partnership with Tasesa Lavea today, after Lavea missed the Highlanders game with a knee niggle.
It worked well against the Lions, and having two quality kickers and distributors is a bonus.
There's a strong mindset at the Chiefs that, despite a wonky start to the Super 14, when they didn't get their first win until round six, that they can make a late charge to the semifinals.
Donald is a believer, pointing to a "double-edged sword" in the games remaining. Three of their last four are against teams above them in the points table.
"If we beat them we're also moving on up. We haven't really talked about points needed as such, but we've never lost faith in the fact we still genuinely believe we can be there in the top four."
The Force, too, fancy their chances. They've come on significantly from the rookie franchise of last year, when they finished bottom with a solitary win.
Forget the half century belting from the Crusaders. That can happen against the premier Super rugby outfit. They are better than that but the Chiefs, three points and one place back, should win it.
Hamilton, 2.35pm today
Chiefs: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Dwayne Sweeney, Tasesa Lavea, Roy Kinikinila, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Keith Robinson, Jono Gibbes (c), Nathan White, Tom Willis, A. de Malmanche
Reserves: Simms Davison, Ben Castle, Kristian Ormsby, Steven Bates, Brendon Leonard, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Jared Payne
Force: Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Ryan Cross, Junior Pelesasa, C. Shepherd, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Scott Fava, Matt Hodgson, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe (c), Rudi Vedelago, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Gareth Hardy
Reserves: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari, David Pusey, Luke Doherty, Jon McGrath, James Hilgendorf, Scott Staniforth
