Chiefs steel for another backlash

The Chiefs are depending on quality direction from Byron Kelleher against the Stormers. Jeff Brass / Getty Images

The Chiefs are steeling themselves for another Super 14 backlash.

In one of the quirks of the draw, the Chiefs will face a third side hurting after a clumsy defeat against the Blues.

First it was the Brumbies, then the Bulls and tonight the Stormers at Mt Maunganui, who arrive after such an ill-disciplined loss last week that they have sacked their captain, De Wet Barry.

"I hope it is not an unfortunate trend," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said yesterday. "If we follow the formula of the Brumbies and Bulls, the Stormers will have all the motivation they need for this match. Don't ask me why this has happened, we just have to deal with it.

"For the first 50 minutes last week [against the Bulls] we were not hungry enough, although we showed character to come back for the draw. We have to be much stronger than that this time."

The Chiefs will be without muscular No 8 Sione Lauaki, who has a chest injury, and openside flanker Marty Holah is being spelled because of his heavy workload.

That leaves a loose forward trio of Steven Bates at No 8, with Liam Messam and Nili Latu on the flanks. They are all strong individuals, but this will be a test of their combination against serious test practitioners Schalk Burger and Joe van Niekerk.

The Chiefs backline looks to have an attacking edge with Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina and Soseni Anesi, anchored by the midfield surges of Sam Tuitupou. It cannot operate effectively however, without quality possession from the pack and direction from halves Byron Kelleher and Stephen Donald. Most of the teams who have played the Stormers this year have messed with their defences, and the Chiefs will fancy their chances against a rearranged back three.

Foster believes his side have made steady progress since their messy opening foray to South Africa. They had had a couple of close losses and been more consistent than last season, but still had spells where they lacked concentration.

"Those times have hurt us because with the closeness of the competition, you don't have to be far below your best and you will lose," Foster said.

Criticism has stalked the Stormers for much of this series.

Wins against the lowly Cats and Force and a draw is an ordinary production from a side littered with Springboks. They do not have a tight five that is as strong as some of the other South African sides, and without that platform, their loose forward and backline weapons have been depowered.

In a game of average quality last week, the Stormers' skills were well down on what you would expect from a professional rugby squad.

Control has also been a problem, and after yellow cards against the Blues for captain Barry and hooker Hanyani Shimange, both have been dropped for tonight.

"It is a statement about their discipline, and it showed against the Blues, the impact of a couple of cards on the match," said Foster.

Foster hoped his players had not been sidetracked by the change in captain and were concentrating on their duties.

"I think you will see an open and fast game for the first 40 minutes. That will be both teams' aim as they look to raise some confidence and then settle into a pattern."

With the leading group starting to disappear over the Super 14 horizon and the fixture list shrinking, both sides should stir up this game looking for a precious victory.

Mt Maunganui, 7.35 tonight

Chiefs:
Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Niva Ta'auso, Sam Tuitupou, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates, Nili Latu, Liam Messam, Bernie Upton, Jono Gibbes (c), Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison
Reserves: Aleki Lutui, Nathan White, Sean Hohneck, Marty Holah, Jamie Nutbrown, Anthony Tahana, Loki Crichton

Stormers:
T. Chavhanga, Rayno Benjamin, Marius Joubert, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Naas Olivier, Neil de Kock, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Ross Skeate, Eddie Andrews, Schalk Brits (c), J D Moller
Reserves: Hanyani Shimange, Neil Fullard, Gerrie Britz, Adri Badenhorst, Bolla Conradie, Peter Grant, De Wet Barry