KEY POINTS:
The Chiefs face a test of character as much as skill when they run on to Loftus Versfeld to face the Bulls tomorrow.
No one fancies their chances of arresting a three-match losing streak against perhaps the most physical team in the Super 14, playing on the strength-sapping high veldt.
But it's just the challenge assistant coach Warren Gatland is relishing, albeit from the safety of the stand.
The former All Black hooker reckons these are the sort of scenarios, times of high-adversity, where you can learn most about your players.
"We'll find out if they are tough enough and what sort of character they've got. It's a real challenge," Gatland said.
He believes the Force laid out a clear template of how to approach the Bulls in their 30-27 win last weekend.
"They did the basics really well, recycled well, got through lots of phases and were pretty much mistake-free. It was a great example of how to play them," he said.
The Bulls, semifinalists last year and with Springboks Bryan Habana and Bakkies Botha back from injury, have a simple approach which makes them difficult opponents. Their pack is loaded with highly-physical, hard men who look to grind their opponents down with pick and go, one-out running and take advantage of their familiarity with playing at high altitude.
Flanker Marty Holah, back in the starting lineup tomorrow, is no stranger to those conditions. His philosophy is simple: "I try not to worry about it.
"A couple of times I have focused on it and felt I haven't played that well. You've got to play with the intensity you normally would and back your bench that if you blow out they'll come on and finish the job," he said yesterday.
The Chiefs will make late calls on both lock Keith Robinson and first five-eighth Stephen Donald as they battle calf and groin injuries. Gatland's view was that Robinson, who has missed the entire campaign so far, "could be okay" but Donald is no better than a 40:60 chance.
"But the thing with Keith is, if his calf goes, and he's already missed three weeks, he could be out of the whole competition."
No 8 Sione Lauaki plays his first game of the campaign tomorrow and should add ball-carrying grunt, and centre Richard Kahui is due to start his first game after joining the squad this week. His hamstrings tightened at training yesterday, but he is still expected to start. The biggest challenge for the Chiefs is to take advantage of their opportunities. Creating them hasn't been a problem; finishing them has.
Allied to that has been some dusty handling and a failure to best utilise their players, such as flying winger Lelia Masaga. Give him some space and he can be devastating.
Throw in a goalkicking success rate of 56 per cent and difficulties winning their own lineouts and the problems are obvious.
That said, only the Cheetahs with nine tries have scored more than the Chiefs' eight.
In past seasons, if a team were still searching for their first win in week four, their semifinal hopes would have been dead in the water. But this season is different.
Only five points cover 12 teams. No team has burst clear.
"We don't count ourselves out of the semifinal running. It's all pretty close," Holah added.
Which is true, but the Chiefs are overdue to show their capabilities. This weekend would be as good a place as any to start.
Pretoria, 4am tomorrow
Bulls: Johan Roets, Akona Ndungane, J. P. Nel, Wayne Julies, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie Du Preez, Anton Leonard, Wikus van Heerden, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (c), Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp
Reserves: Jaco Engels, Ruan Vermeulen, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuun, Heini Adams, Derick Hougaard, Jaco van der Westhuyzen
Chiefs: Dwayne Sweeney, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Tane Tuipulotu, Roy Kinikinilau, S. Donald/M. Williams, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah, Steven Bates (c), K. Ormsby/ K. Robinson, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Tom Willis, Simms Davison
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Ormsby/Andrew van der Heijden/Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Jamie Nutbrown, Williams/Anthony Tahana, Niva Ta'auso
