KEY POINTS:
There have been times when the first order of business for the Chiefs each Monday morning has been checking the length of the queue outside the medical room.
So, imagine the satisfaction that at the most critical stage of the Super 14, the Chiefs have been able to field a pack almost unchanged for the last month. And along the way familiarity has bred cohesion, confidence and belief in their capabilities.
Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam, Keith Robinson and Nathan White have been ever-present since their loss to the Blues on March 31. Marty Holah and Tom Willis have missed one start all season, and captain Jono Gibbes, once fully fit, and loosehead prop Simms Davison have been reliable contributors.
And the benefits of that stability have not gone unnoticed.
"It's made picking our pack an easier issue and given us a reasonably settled look," coach Ian Foster said.
And while the likes of All Black lock Robinson, blockbusting No 8 Lauaki, and flankers Messam and Holah capture headlines, what of the grunters up front?
Hooker Willis has had to captain the side in the absence of Gibbes or his stand-in, Steven Bates, during a crucial period when they started to win, against the Lions and Reds in mid-March. He has been good value. Loosehead prop Davison has stepped up this year, and then there's tighthead White.
Last year, as he made strong progress in Waikato's march to the Air New Zealand Cup, Warren Gatland predicted a big future for the 25-year-old.
Gatland, Waikato coach and Chiefs assistant, hooked for the All Blacks 17 times and knows the ins and outs of the front row.
White's first season at the Chiefs last year was disrupted first by a torn calf before the opening pre-season game then, after half a dozen appearances, by a medial ligament in the penultimate round.
Gatland is delighted with what he has seen this year and has seen no reason to change his mind on his potential.
"He's really improved, and he's getting more experienced all the time," Gatland said.
"We couldn't be happier with the progress he's made. In the front row, a lot of it is about getting out and experiencing it. You've got to do your time in the middle really."
So while others have attracted the headlines on the Chiefs' remarkable march to the cusp of the semifinals tonight - after not winning a game until their sixth match - White has soldiered on, anchoring one of the better scrums in the competition.
True, they got an education against the Sharks, which White acknowledged. Apart from that, they've been at the least competitive, and often given opponents the run around.
"We haven't had it all our own way. We've had to battle in some games. The Sharks put us under the pump, but they've got three very good front-rowers," White said.
The 25-year-old - Hawera-born, Te Awamutu-bred - appeals as a straight up type, not flashy. The sort of player whose work is best appreciated by those around him.
Like his teammate, halfback Brendon Leonard, White never made the New Zealand age group or Colts teams. No one jumped about labelling him a FAB (future All Black). Like Leonard, he might yet be a late bloomer in All Black terms.
The departure of Carl Hayman to Europe opens the No 3 door. The Blues' John Afoa, Hurricane Neemia Tialata and Crusader Campbell Johnstone and, once he's over his injury layoff, Greg Somerville appear leading contenders. White should be in the frame.
"Anything's possible. There's a few good tightheads round," he said.
Sure, and White's one of them. There's more work to do, he admitted, sharpening his ball carrying, offering more value round the park.
Gatland reckons White's task is to impress All Black scrum-meister Mike Cron.
"That's his big challenge. I think at some stage he will [become an All Black]. He's big, 120-odd kgs, very mobile, he defends really well round the fringes. Technically, he's got all the attributes."
But props take time to learn the craft. White rates his form this year has been "reasonable, but it's only my second [Super 14] year so I'm learning every game", reckoning it takes three or four years to fully get a grip on the requirements of the job at top level.
At the start of the Super 14, the Chiefs had four props of decent quality, White, Davison, Ben Castle and Craig West, but White nailed the first choice No 3 role from the start, and has started 10 of their 12 games.
He's benefited from Gatland's style, which is not to be too liberal with his compliments.
But White has a simple philosophy on how well the coaches rate his efforts: if you're picked that let's him know he's doing something right.
As for the Chiefs pack, they're doing plenty right too. Tonight, with everything on the line, will be the ideal time to reinforce that.
Four key matchups
No 15 Leon MacDonald v Mils Muliaina
One of these blokes will, barring injury, plague or pestilince, be wearing No 15 for the All Blacks in France later this year.
It's been a mixed Super 14 for the pair. Both were on reconditioning duty for the opening seven weeks. MacDonald's form since returning has been only average; Muliaina broke a bone in his foot in a warmup game shortly before his return.
He made it back for last weekend's win over the Waratahs and was tidy. This matchup won't give all the answers on who will be the All Black selectors' first choice for the opening test against France at Eden Park on June 2, but will offer a chance to assess the points of difference.
No 10 Stephen Brett v Stephen Donald
The battle of the No 10s. A gifted young prospect vs the competition's leading points scorer.
The absence of Daniel Carter opens this contest up. There's no disputing Brett's attacking talent, but he's still learning.
Donald has been a strong contributor this season, having grown in stature as he's taken on the senior backline role. Donald is kicking well and attacks the line with vigour. Look for that again tonight.
No 9 Andrew Ellis v Brendon Leonard
Ellis made waves last year and got himself an All Black tour. This year he's shared the halfback job with a resurgent Kevin Senio, out tonight with a thigh injury, but Ellis hasn't been a standout contributor.
Leonard, relishing the absence of All Black first choice Byron Kelleher for the first half, then his injury-enforced layoff for the last fortnight, has had a whale of a campaign.
His sharp running from the base of rucks and scrums is threatening and he appeals as a resourceful type and useful kicker. There are at least five competitive halfbacks in the country - Kelleher, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Ellis and Leonard. The last two can make statements tonight.
No 8 Mose Tuiali'i v Sione Lauaki
You could actually enlarge this into a battle of the loose trios, but let's be specific. Tuiali'i appeared to have lost ground in the last year, but he's been in rousing form this time round.
Lauaki has been on his best wrecking-ball form in the latter half of the Chiefs run to the brink of the semifinals. Sharks coach Dick Muir quipped that next time they face him they'll bring a sniper.
The Chiefs will need him to be on song tonight and will work off his metre-eating runs. Expect some powerful collisions. Two players who can give the All Black panel food for thought tonight.
