Rugby: Sweeney not finished as a starter

Chiefs utility Dwayne Sweeney is likely to replace injured winger Sitiveni Sivivatu. Photo / Getty Images

Dwayne Sweeney thought his starting role in the Chiefs' unprecedented charge to the Super 14 rugby final had ended when he helped them beat the Hurricanes in their semifinal last Friday.

A utility back, Sweeney thought Richard Kahui would recover in time from a bruised calf injury for the final on Sunday (NZT) against the Bulls in Pretoria.

So he declared himself happy to step aside for the All Blacks centre in the aftermath of his team's stirring semifinal victory at Waikato Stadium.

However, Sweeney now seems certain to run on at Loftus Versfeld regardless of whether Kahui passes a fitness test.

That is because All Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu failed to make today's flight to Johannesburg after dislocating a shoulder before the Chiefs prevailed 14-10.

Sivivatu's shoulder and Lelia Masaga's injury issues earlier in the campaign had already seen Sweeney feature on the wing during the Chiefs' three-match road trip to South Africa last month.

The 24-year-old, in his third season with the Chiefs, is likely to reprise that role in the franchise's biggest match of a chequered 14-year history.

Sweeney has been nominated as the Chiefs go-to guy when injury strikes first-choice players in one of the most potent backlines in the competition.

He started the season at second five-eighth, then filled in for Kahui at centre before being shunted to the wing as the Chiefs speedsters recovered.

Although Sweeney made a decent fist of his time out wide in South Africa, arguably his greatest contribution to the Chiefs ground-breaking season was made in tandem with Callum Bruce against the Hurricanes.

The unheralded duo succeeded in quelling the threat posed by the All Blacks midfield of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, a key factor behind the Chiefs ability to progress from a first home playoff game to an historic final.

Sweeney was quietly chuffed about the combination's performance against the internationals, even if Nonu provided the Hurricanes solitary try.

"We're pretty happy. We had a big focus on not letting those guys get too much room to move so they could have an influence on the game," Sweeney said.

"If they got involved and started breaking the line, it would have been a different story. We worked really hard together."

Sweeney's next assignment could see him line up against Akona Ndugane, one of three Bulls tryscorers against the Crusaders in yesterday's second semifinal.

Coach Ian Foster, who finalises his 22-man squad on Thursday, is confident Sweeney can slot in comfortably.

"He's a real fix-it man for us on the wing and midfield," he said.

"We've lost the wings before and it's a testimony to the growth in some of our young players that they've been able to step up. Dwayne is a classic case."

Sweeney, meanwhile, was buoyant about the Chiefs prospects of toppling the Bulls despite his team's injury problems, tough travel schedule and Pretoria's intimidating venue.

"The boys are stoked to keep a team like the Hurricanes to one try with all the gamebreakers they have.

"Three weeks in a row we've showed real character on defence. The trust the boys have built over the season has pulled the team tight.

"There wasn't really a moment I felt we were going to lose. No one would give an inch, no one did anything something stupid to give away a silly penalty or being sent to the (sin) bin," Sweeney said.

After watching the Crusaders' loss, the Chiefs realise they will have to be similarly disciplined next weekend, or dropped goal expert Morne Steyn will increase the Bulls margin in multiples of three.

Sweeney would have preferred a home final but was looking forward to a daunting challenge in South Africa.

"It's massive and as professional rugby players we enjoy the big challenges.

"The time difference and the altitude are the biggest problems but we're professional rugby players, we have to deal with it."

There will only be a smattering of Chiefs fans amid the blue hoards at Loftus Versfeld but Sweeney felt his team would carry the "spirit of Hamilton and the greater Chiefs region with us".

- NZPA