Former Mount Maunganui College student Scott Robertson has revitalised the squad in his first season at the helm after taking over from Todd Blackadder, who failed to win a title in his seven years in charge.
But the Chiefs have never bowed down to anyone in the six seasons under coach Dave Rennie and they have no plans to do so tonight.
Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris knows all about the history and the tough ask of flying back from South Africa with so few days to prepare.
The Te Puke product, who played for the All Blacks in the recent series against the British and Irish Lions, says recovering from sleep deprivation has been a priority this week.
"We have dealt with all that. We have got another job on Saturday and that's the main thing. We are just looking forward to putting in a good performance on the field," Harris said.
"There are a lot of teams that go on about how they have had a tough road to climb or whatever. It is do or die footy so you approach it like that."
Taking on the Crusaders in Christchurch is about a tough as it gets in Super Rugby but it is a challenge Harris always looks forward to.
"To be honest every team looks forward to playing against the Crusaders and they would probably say the same thing about us. It is a pretty big occasion every time to put on a Chiefs jersey let alone playing the Crusaders down there."
Set piece battles are fundamental to who wins rugby matches.
Last week the Crusaders ripped apart the Highlanders up front, which Harris says he and the Chiefs forwards will look to put right tonight.
"The old cliche is that the forwards have to do the job up front and that is the way we are going to target it. I know in Fiji [May 19] we had a pretty solid effort when they were mauling and we produced a pretty good set piece then."
Super Rugby semifinal
Crusaders v Chiefs
Christchurch, tonight, 7.35pm
