Rugby: Smith warns of Chiefs backlash

Highlanders wing Ben Smith is expected to mark his All Blacks teammate Sitiveni Sivivatu on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

Highlanders wing Ben Smith has warned his teammates to expect a backlash from the Chiefs in their Super 14 rugby match at Mt Maunganui on Saturday night.

Last year's finalists have dropped to seventh on the standings after a 23-30 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend, their third loss in succession.

"They'll be hurting," Smith said today.

"They'll come out firing and we have to match that passion.

"I remember last year when Lelia Masaga scored in the corner to win the game for them. They got on a winning role after that and became quite a lethal team."

Smith is expected to mark his All Blacks teammate Sitiveni Sivivatu, a player for whom he has immense respect.

"It will be a big challenge to mark him. He's always dangerous and he's a guy you can't give any time to move."

Smith described the 39-29 win over the South African Lions in Dunedin last Friday in Dunedin as a relief after a series of losses.

"We made a nervy start but it was good to recover and get a win."

But Smith said more improvement was needed if the Highlanders hoped to beat the Chiefs.

"The main areas are in our ball control and decision-making."

Like many, he was impressed by the mauling of the Lions which yielded them three tries in Dunedin.

"I certainly worked for them. It could be an option for us too."

Smith, 23, has been starved of attacking opportunities this season and is looking at ways at how he can become more involved.

"I've started to put a few things in place where I think I can get a few more touches of the ball so hopefully, in the next few weeks, that will happen.

"I think I need to have more of a workrate and maybe get off my wing and go looking for work a bit more.

"I've got a lot of improvement to make. I'm not that happy with the way I've played.

"We've got the moves there. There's nothing wrong with the structures or anything like that. We've just got to use the ball better. We just have to get it right and perfect the gameplan."

Smith said he was not hankering for a return to fullback, where he displayed brilliant form for Otago last year.

"Not really. I'm enjoying on the wing. It's a position I'm comfortable with. I've just got to get better at it."

Smith said his aims for the season were to contribute as much as possible to the Highlanders and "not to worry about anything else".

But, deep in the back of his mind, there is a burning desire to again wear the All Blacks jersey he wore against Italy and the Barbarians towards the end of last year.

"For sure there is. I had a sniff of it with the All Blacks last year and, once you have, you want more."

- NZPA