Kane Thompson says the Chiefs are ready to try to dominate. Photo / Paul Taylor
The Chiefs' tight five is keen to turn its supposed weak link status on its head by quickly dominating opposition forward packs this season.
Lock Kane Thompson is new to the franchise but has seen plenty in his playing career and he has a message for the doubters who say
the Chiefs look like thoroughbreds in the backs but ponies up front.
"We don't pay a lot of attention to what people on the outside are saying about us but we can't just talk it, we've got to show it on the field and that's the only way we're going to lose that tag," Thompson said. "We've got to front up and there is certainly belief within this team that we're strong up front. We're not looking to gain parity, we will try to dominate."
Thompson, 1.98m and 113kg, is an option at lock alongside co-captain Craig Clarke, Brodie Retallick, Mike Fitzgerald and Romana Graham. Chiefs' props include Ben Afeaki, Toby Smith, Sona Taumalolo and Ben Tameifuna.
Hooker Hika Elliot is perhaps the biggest name among them but he is put in the shade when compared to loosies Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer and Sam Cane and backs Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Aaron Cruden.
