Chiefs draw confidence from previous visit to Canberra

The Chiefs will draw inspiration from their last trip to Canberra as they try to end a barren streak against Super 14 rugby rivals the Brumbies tomorrow night.

The Chiefs have not beaten the Brumbies home or away since 1999, although they came agonisingly close last year, fighting back from 7-21 down to draw 28-28.

It is a match No 8 Steven Bates remembers well.

"We learnt the lesson that we can compete over in Canberra," he said.

"I played in that game and we went close to winning it, so we can take confidence from that."

The Chiefs' latest visit to the Australian capital comes after a bye last weekend.

Bates said there would be no underestimating the task of winning at Canberra Stadium.

But much of the challenge, as it was with playing the Crusaders, was psychological.

"I think more than anything it's a mental thing, and it's also the same with the Crusaders," he said.

"Teams have to get over the mental block. The Brumbies are a quality side, but I believe we have the playing staff to be able to get over the top of them if we're on our game."

Bates said the Sharks had shown the way during the Brumbies' last home game two rounds ago, giving their hosts a scare before going down 30-35.

"The Sharks gave them a good rev up for 60 to 70 minutes, and there's no reason why we can't put 10 more minutes on what the Sharks could and come away with a good result.

"We've got a lot of confidence going into the game and we'll have a crack anyway."

The Chiefs will be without All Blacks halfback Byron Kelleher, who is being rested after having travelled to the United States because of a family bereavement. Kelleher is also getting over sore ribs.

But they welcome back winger Sosene Anesi from the Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning New Zealand sevens side.

After two wins from five matches, Bates said the Chiefs had to begin stringing results together to accelerate their momentum.

He said last weekend's bye had refreshed the players and allowed them to get over niggling injuries.

Preparation this week had focused on lifting performance a notch.

"We've been working on honing our skills, our set piece, our general play, just trying to sharpen our effort," Bates said.

"Obviously, we think we've been getting better as the season has been going on but now we really have to start picking up a few victories."

As the Super 14 nears the midpoint of its round robin phase, Bates said he had not yet noticed a major difference between it and the old Super 12, but that could change in weeks to come.

"It's a bit hard to judge yet, although it seems more even," he said.

"I suppose towards the end of the season the depth in squads is really going to show. People perhaps aren't going to be able to play all 13 games like they could play all 11 games in the Super 12."

- NZPA