Rugby: Chiefs head south in search of first win

Tana Umaga of the Chiefs is tackled high during the round one Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Chiefs at Canberra Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

First the bad news: the Chiefs have not won a game since April 3 last year.

The good news? It was against the Highlanders.

They would do well to recall that balmy evening at Mount Maunganui as they trek south to Dunedin this week, because it was painfully obvious in Canberra that they are getting too used to losing.

Although it's not quite the horror start it is made out to be. The Brumbies have suffered with the watering down of talent brought on by the inclusion of the Melbourne Rebels, but there are decent systems in place and the Chiefs will not be the only side to suffer in Canberra.

If you're the glass half full-type you'd also note that the Chiefs had enough chances to win but were let down by either poor hands or misdirected passes.

On one occasion, a classy pop-pass from Mils Muliaina appeared to have sent young wing Tim Nanai-Williams in near the sticks, but he inexplicably fumbled it.

"We put ourselves in good positions but we didn't capitalise on those chances," Muliaina said.

"You can't give a team like the Brumbies an 18-point start, but we fought back well and got to within three points, only to give the ball back to them again."

His frustration was palpable.

It's only the second week of an extended competition but it would not do the Chiefs any harm to treat their Friday night match against the Highlanders with a sense of desperation.

In years past, 2010 excepted, the Chiefs have been famous for starting slowly before climbing through the gears and putting themselves in contention. Coach Ian Foster, in his final year, will not want to wait much longer to put a tick in the win column.

The Highlanders, in an admittedly dreadful match, showed some fortitude in holding out a late-game surge from the 14-man Hurricanes.

New coach Jamie Joseph paid tribute to his side's tenacity and refusal to buckle like they had in recent seasons, even when putting themselves under pressure through unforced errors.

Southern rugby folk have lost a lot of faith in their franchise. Upsetting the Hurricanes was a step in the right direction. Beating the Chiefs at home would go further to appeasing lost fans.

Week two it might be, but week one's results have ensured there's plenty of intrigue already.