Rugby: Chiefs spoiled for choice

The Chiefs working on front row combinations for tomorrow's match. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It is a luxury when the Chiefs can rest form hooker Aled de Malmanche and pick All Black frontrower Hika Elliot in his place for tomorrow's game against the Reds in Brisbane.

The decision, coach Ian Foster explained, was an opportunity for De Malmanche to recharge after a month of tough football while Reid deserved his chance with a pack which had steadily improved since he was part of their stuttering progress in the opening rounds.

"With the team in a better groove it is time for Hika to come back in and build the competition too. We have been delighted with Aled's progress but he has played the last four games and can do with a spell," Foster said.

The coach will be even more delighted if they can get past the Reds and then get home for one more match, against the touring Lions, before their bye. He has made just the one change from the side which whipped the Blues 63-34.

Playing in Brisbane brought some issues with the travel, humidity and time change but Foster said those were more peripheral matters these days as teams were very comfortable with the varying demands of their occupation.

"It is not like Hamilton in late March," he quipped, "but there is not much that surprises anyone any more in this competition.

"The tough part will be facing a Reds side whose confidence is up after beating the Sharks, who have had a bye and will be trying to make it two in a row for the first time in a while. They will be looking forward to us coming over."

Foster said that this week had been about making sure they built on the momentum they showed against the Blues. His side had produced some strong rugby in the past month with three wins after narrowly losing out to the Sharks.

"We need to keep going and that has been the simple focus."

Foster said it might sound strange to say they were not trying to duplicate what they did against the Blues. They were trying to play as well again but it would be unrealistic to think they might repeat that victory margin or number of tries.

"There were a number of things in that game which went well for us and we were hugely happy with the outcome. That performance came from a series of improvements and we have been saying to the guys, 'Well done, let's go and play as well again."'