Rugby: Hard choices loom for Rennie

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has plenty to weigh up. Photo / Getty

The Chiefs have mounting choices in their bid to stem a niggling pattern which has hit them mid-season.

Victory then defeat has been their results chart in the last five weeks and if that pattern continues in their return match against the troubled Blues on Saturday, a loss will be a double blow leading into the Chiefs' first bye.

They opened this year's campaign without their All Black leaders Liam Messam and Aaron Cruden and claimed a scrappy away win against the Blues who had a greater number of senior player absences.

The Chiefs have since juggled their roster and stayed near the top of the NZ conference while the Blues are waiting for a victory.

New Chiefs players Michael Leitch, Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie have brought consistent form and demands for repeat starts ahead of more experienced members.

Coach Dave Rennie has to weigh up those decisions and how to accommodate James Lowe, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai and Brodie Retallick who are back from injury and Hika Elliot who has served his week's suspension.

If Lowe is over his niggle he must be included on the left wing where his pace, cover defence and huge boot have brought an impressive volume of work.

When Ngatai is fit his midfield combination with Sonny Bill Williams brings power and skill and a partnership which offers Aaron Cruden more avenues to torment the Blues defenders. The five eighths has also refined his goalkicking method and kicked all seven attempts last week against the Cheetahs.

Getting Retallick back will generate more edge to the forwards and one they will need through the tight five as a counter to the Blues' young bull Patrick Tuipulotu.

Messages from Rennie will be about the Chiefs setting their standards instead of being dragged into a dogfight. His urgings will be about simple, clear work and foot on the throat execution.

The Chiefs have played one more match than the top-of-the-pool Hurricanes and Highlanders who are chasing hard, while the Crusaders are lurking.