Chiefs desperate for upset

Tanerau Latimer hasn't seen a Crusaders team play this well for years.
When pressed, with a grin, he'll pinpoint 2006 as the last time the southern Super Rugby franchise were in the sort of awesome form they're in now.
By sheer coincidence, that was when a 20-year-old Latimer was drafted into the Crusaders, coming off the bench as they beat the Hurricanes to win the title.
It's also why tonight's match at Baypark between Latimer's Chiefs and the Crusaders could be a win-win for the 14,000-strong crowd predicted; an upset Chiefs win would be with redemption, while a Crusaders victory would be one for the purists.
"They're really good - we haven't seen them play this well for a number of years and they've got some amazing players in there that are playing so well," Latimer said. "It's a great challenge to play a team right at the top of their game and what better way to test yourself than against the best."
The contrasts couldn't be greater - while the Crusaders have been in compelling form with six wins from seven starts, the Chiefs have won just two of seven matches to be fourth of five teams in the New Zealand conference.
They're 11th overall, nine points outside the top six and with a two-match trip to South Africa looming, points are vital tonight.
But openside Latimer, one of the more positive contributors to any team, is adamant his side won't be sitting back and enjoying the red and black spectacle.
"We've stowed away our first seven games and we're looking to start fresh this week. The exciting thing is the boys are really up for it. We've trained really well, both in our bye week and this week and we're ready for it. If we're ever going to perform or get up for a match, it should be this one."
While the Crusaders suffered a late blow by losing All Black star Dan Carter to a hamstring strain, they've got the massive presence of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw named in the reserves for the first time this season.
He's been sidelined after a foot operation, but trained freely and is poised to play his first match of the campaign.
"I'm excited to be back in the mix," McCaw said. "In the last couple of weeks I've really started to feel like I wanted to get back into the swing of things. The foot feels good and I don't think there's any worries there, it might just be a bit tough on the lungs.
"It's been four-odd months without rugby and it's nice to know the training I've been doing will hopefully pay off when I get on the field."
Midfield star Sonny Bill Williams will play his first match on Baypark turf, while the competition's top try-scorer Sean Maitland lurks on the wing.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have called in Ben Afeaki for his first start of the season in an effort to shore up their fragile front row.
Afeaki, 23, has been sidelined with a quadriceps muscle problem until this week.
Baypark, 7.35pm tonight

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Isaac Ross, Romana Graham, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tana Umaga, Tim Nanai-Williams.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Kahn Fotuali'i, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.Rugby