KEY POINTS:
Fullback Mils Muliaina is looking to go up a gear tomorrow night when the Chiefs chase a result that will keep them in Super 14 rugby playoff contention.
The Chiefs need a win against the Crusaders in Christchurch and to have other results go their way in this
weekend's final round to clinch a semifinal spot.
They know they have to overturn history to achieve victory over the defending champions and competition leaders, who haven't lost at home for 26 matches and or to the Chiefs anywhere since 1998.
It will, Muliaina said, be a "massive" game and one he wanted to have a bigger role in than on his return last weekend after six weeks out with a broken foot.
He was pleased to last the full 80 minutes in the win over the Waratahs in Sydney and he had pulled up fine afterwards.
But he wasn't entirely happy with his performance at Aussie Stadium, saying he needed to get more involved.
"I was probably not as sharp as I want to be," he said.
"I feel I can lift a little bit more and work a little bit harder and that just comes with game time."
Game time isn't something Muliaina has had much of recently.
The last time he played 80 minutes was in November on New Zealand's end-of-year tour.
He went on the All Blacks' reconditioning programme, only to suffer the foot injury while appearing for a Chiefs' Development 15 in his first match back.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs, after a poor start to the season, have climbed from near the bottom of the table into playoff contention, thanks to six wins from their last seven matches.
Muliaina said it would be a case of giving it their best shot at Jade Stadium.
"We just have to do everything at 100 per cent and not die wondering," he said.
"We can't afford to do anything else against a team like the Crusaders, because they'll pick you off."
For the Chiefs, victory would be particularly sweet away to a side of the stature of the Crusaders.
"It's a great way to make the semis -- beating a team who have a wealth of experience and a wealth of skill," he said.
"We definitely want to make the semis. We've going down there with every intent to do so."
The Crusaders will have their own playoff motivation, needing victory to ink in a Christchurch semifinal and a bonus-point win to ensure they are also at home if they make the final.
Muliaina agreed that the Crusaders' defeat to the Brumbies last Saturday could make the Chiefs' task that little bit more difficult.
It was tough enough beating the Crusaders when they had won their previous match.
"To go down there now and play them after they have come off a loss and will be hurting is going to be even harder," he said.
"They're in front of their home crowd and they want to win to get a home semifinal. If we're not on our game, we could be on the end of a hiding."
- NZPA
