Rugby: Retallick anticipates torrid clash

Brodie Retalllick is looking forward to taking on the Hurricanes in New Plymouth. Photo: Getty

Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick is expecting tomorrow night's game with the Hurricanes to be as intense as any test match.

The All Black and reigning World Rugby Player of the Year is preparing for a torrid clash in New Plymouth with play-off places up for grabs in this final round of the regular season.

"Most New Zealand derbies are pretty close to test match intensity and obviously this game is going to be no different," Retallick said.

There is a lot riding on the game in our camp...

Brodie Retallick

"There is a lot riding on the game in our camp and we are hoping we can cement that fourth spot depending on what happens on Friday night (Blues v Highlanders).

"I know there will be huge intensity from the Chiefs and I reckon the Hurricanes will bring some as well."

Last weekend's win over the Reds was based on a superb defensive structure but the Chiefs scrum and lineout performed below normal standards.

"We have talked about how we have won games this year when the set piece was not operating and our defence held up, and other games we lost when set piece dominated and our defence didn't hold up," Retallick said.

"So if we can defend like we did last weekend and have a good day set piece-wise then I think we will go a long way towards the next few weeks (finals).

"That is the challenge for us going into this week to make sure we do the whole lot not just one of them."

Retallick said the lineout problems against the Reds were caused by timing issues between hooker Hika Elliot and the jumpers.

"We were a bit slow getting up in the air and they disrupted us. I think we were calling the right options but we just didn't execute them as well as we needed to. It also stemmed from a wee bit of frustration from the scrums as well and maybe we were just trying a wee bit too hard to get it right in the lineout."

Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane will miss the Hurricanes game with an enforced lay-off directed by the All Blacks selectors. Retallick said Cane had been massive for the Chiefs this year.

"It has probably been the best I have seen him play since I have known him. He has been huge for the team, particularly these last few weeks when there has been lots of injuries and lots of young fellas around him."

Cane cleaned-up at the annual Chiefs Awards held this week. The 23-year-old flanker won the Chiefs Player of the Year voted by the fans, the Chiefs Player of the Year voted by the coaches, and the Players Player of the Year selected by his teammates.