Chiefs looking to big defensive effort

The Chiefs have targeted shutting down the Hurricanes' dangerous ball carriers as they attempt to keep their Super 14 hopes alive tomorrow night.

The Chiefs are five points outside the top four with three rounds to go and face another must-win match against the third-placed Hurricanes in Wellington.

They showed their attacking flair with a contender for try of the season when pipping the Cheetahs in Hamilton 33-32 last Friday night.

First five-eighth Stephen Donald's third-minute touchdown came after the ball went through countless pairs of hands during a thrilling counter-attack that swept almost the length of the field.

But fullback Sosene Anesi, who was involved in the move, said it was what they did without the ball that the Chiefs had been focusing on this week in preparation for their trip to Westpac Stadium.

"We've been working really hard on our defence," he said.

"Our attack will come, but we have to shut down their runners, like Ma'a Nonu and Tana Umaga in the backs, and Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins in the forwards."

Anesi was expecting the Hurricanes to be fired up, after they lost a close battle with the fourth-placed Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.

"We have to make our tackles," he said. "We have to put them on the ground."

The match-up in midfield, involving four players who have worn the All Black jersey, will be one of the highlights of the contest.

Pitted against Nonu and Umaga will be Mils Muliaina and Sam Tuitupou.

Muliaina is back from a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury and will operate at centre, while Tuitupou has recovered from a head knock to start at second-five eighth.

There is also an intriguing head-to-head battle at halfback, with the Chiefs' Byron Kelleher up against test rival Piri Weepu.

A four-match unbeaten run has kept the Chiefs in with an outside chance of making the playoffs, but they have a tricky run-in.

After the Hurricanes come another top-four side in the Waratahs, while the Blues at Eden Park present an intriguing finish to their programme.

In their favour is that they don't have to travel outside New Zealand.

For Anesi and his teammates, it was a case of adopting the well-used formula of taking one game at a time.

"We're not thinking about the Waratahs at the moment," Anesi said.

"They are good team, but we have to worry about the game on Saturday. We just have to nail our opportunities and make fewer mistakes."

Hurricanes: Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Shannon Paku, David Holwell, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Joe McDonnell.
Reserves: Tamati Ellison, Jimmy Gopperth, Brendan Haami, Thomas Waldrom, Luke Andrews, John Schwalger, Luke Mahoney

Chiefs: Sosene Anesi, Anthony Tahana, Mils Muliaina, Sam Tuitupou, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates, Marty Holah (captain), Liam Messam, Sean Hohneck, Bernie Upton, Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.
Reserves: Mark Ranby, David Hill, Jamie Nutbrown, Nili Latu, Kristian Ormsby, Nathan White, Aleki Lutui.

- NZPA