The Chiefs are chasing a season first against the Super 14 leaders in Hamilton tonight.
This is their last chance to nail a win over one of the four teams who have dominated the top of the table virtually since the competition began.
They lost to the Crusaders and Brumbies
by slender margins in desperately frustrating fashion, and the Hurricanes more convincingly last week.
So the Waratahs, who are eyeing finishing top and thus moving a giant step closer to hosting the final on May 27, are in their sights.
It's not going to be an easy night, not least because to win the Chiefs players must haul themselves over the mental barrier of having had their semifinal ambitions dashed last week.
Coach Ian Foster respects the quality of the Waratahs, who have lost just twice this year, 26-17 to the Bulls in Pretoria and 17-11 in a tough battle in Christchurch against the defending champion Crusaders.
"They are a team who've got a game plan they seem pretty comfortable with," Foster said of last year's beaten finalists.
"They are very efficient, don't make many errors and they've proven very difficult to beat."
Indeed, they've beaten the Chiefs in seven of their 10 Super clashes, not that that is relevant to what happens in the here and now.
More relevant is that this season, the Waratahs have scored more points than anyone other than the Crusaders and conceded the fewest by a considerable distance.
They're loaded with Wallabies and tough, seasoned competitors and even if they've put a ban on themselves talking about the playoffs, there is an easy motivation for them tonight.
Jono Gibbes is back at blindside flanker to lead the Chiefs tonight; Mils Muliaina is back at fullback and David Hill is back in his old spot at first five-eighth.
Hill was an integral part of the Chiefs operation until an early-season viral complaint, followed by a knee injury. "He's got a great tactical mind about the game. We've certainly missed him," Foster said.
* Waratahs management have formally complained to the Super 14 tournament director, Australian Peter Rowles, about the incorrect citing of Highlanders hooker Anton Oliver, concerned that the real culprit in an incident in last Friday's match will escape unpunished.
Oliver was cited for stomping after Waratahs prop Benn Robinson received head cuts in a ruck during his side's 20-3 victory in Dunedin.
Chiefs v Waratahs
Waikato Stadium, 7.35 tonight
Chiefs
Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tahana, Mark Ranby, Sam Tuitupou, Sitiveni Sivivatu, David Hill, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes (c), Sean Hohneck, Bernie Upton, Nathan White, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison
Reserves: Scott Linklater, Deacon Manu, Kristian Ormsby, Liam Messam, Jamie Nutbrown, Stephen Donald, Sosene Anesi.
Waratahs
Peter Hewat, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, S Norton-Knight, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker (c), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Will Campbell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Shaun Berne.
- additional reporting NZPA
The Chiefs are chasing a season first against the Super 14 leaders in Hamilton tonight.
This is their last chance to nail a win over one of the four teams who have dominated the top of the table virtually since the competition began.
They lost to the Crusaders and Brumbies
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