Rugby: Magpie soars at Chiefs

New Magpie Sam McNicol is relishing the Chiefs environment.

It's too early to talk up the Chiefs' chances of winning a third Super Rugby title this season.

But it's a pretty good time to ask winger and new Magpie Sam McNicol about the secrets behind their spectacular form and six-point lead on the points table after seven matches.

"There's no secret. We worked hard during the pre-season to get fit enough to play the style of game we are playing. We've got confidence to back our skills and have some fun," McNicol said before attending a Magpies wider training group's ball skills session last night during the Chiefs bye week.

McNicol, 20, is in his first season with the Chiefs after transferring from the Hurricanes. The Napier Boys' High School product has played four of the Chiefs seven games, starting in two and coming off the bench in the others.

A bout of concussion collected during the pre-season programme saw the former New Zealand Secondary Schools rep miss the first two Super Rugby games.

McNicol celebrated his Chiefs starting XV debut with a try against the Jaguares in Argentina.

"Moving to the Chiefs has been like a good breath of fresh air. I knew when I went up to Hamilton they were short of outside backs and I've played four of the five games I've been available for," McNicol said.

When one considers the Chiefs have won six of their seven games McNicol's "we're going pretty good and we've got a great environment" statement couldn't be more appropriate.

"The results are going our way and we just have to keep tracking that way," McNicol said.

He pointed out head coach Dave Rennie and his coaching staff, who include former Magpies mentor Kieran Keane, like the Chiefs to assert some dominance up front before going into entertainment mode and producing memorable tries like the length-of-the-field cracker scored by fullback Damian McKenzie against the Force last month.

"They like us to back our skills and express ourselves within reason ... nothing silly," McNicol said.

"While I'm pretty happy I'm never satisfied and it always pays to have work-ons."

He has a couple to work on during the coming weeks.

The first is to get more involved in matches and the second is to improve his defensive work in the outside channels.

With lock Michael Allardice recovered from an elbow injury and utility back Andrew Horrell recovered from a groin injury all of the Chiefs Magpies will be available for selection for the April 23 match against the Hurricanes. McNicol played one game for the Canes last year when injuries restricted his game time in the capital.

"Hopefully I get picked to play the Canes. They've got this week's game against the Melbourne Rebels to concentrate on but I'm sure there will be texts flying from some of my mates in Wellington next week."

McKenzie and fellow Waikato and Chiefs players Shaun Stevenson and Anton Lienert-Borwn are McNicol's flatmates in Hamilton.

"Damian is probably the best cook out of all of us. But while I'm home for bye week I will make the most of mum's lasagne and roast meals."

Meanwhile, Magpies head coach Craig Philpott confirmed his Highlanders prop Brendon Edmonds will have reconstruction knee surgery during the next two to three weeks. Edmonds suffered the injury during the Highlanders 32-20 win against the Force in Dunedin on April 1.

"The best scenario is Brendon could be back playing again in October. However, there is nerve damage and we will know more after the surgery. These type of injuries have ended playing careers."