Rugby: Life gets tougher for Chiefs

Stephen Donald tries to find a way through the Highlanders' defence at Waikato Stadium on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

There were several pieces of good news down Chiefs country balanced by some not so flash stuff.

First the good news. They won, seeing off the hard-charging Highlanders 20-7 and climbed off the bottom of the Super 15 ladder in New Zealand.

Many thought the Highlanders were jaded and perhaps they are starting to grind through the season - though midfielder-fullback Ben Smith was once again in sharp touch.

No one is better under the high ball, while his incisions, vision and versatility allow him to fill most backline roles.

The Chiefs did not get back into their own beds until late last Monday after hauling themselves back from South Africa.

Too often their work looked too lethargic to trouble one of the best sides in the competition but they won. Now for some of the not-so-flash bulletins.

Next up are the Stormers who are top of the South African pool and the Chiefs will have to do without opensider Scott Waldrom who dislocated a shoulder while others like Stephen Donald were pretty banged up.

Their situations will become clearer today as the Stormers embark upon their long-haul travel schedule from Cape Town to reach Hamilton some time this week.

The Stormers have been strong and were narrowly beaten in a tremendous arm-wrestle against an injury-depleted Crusaders. But they will think back through their tactics which proved fruitless as they tried to run down victory in the late stages.

Captain Schalk Burger turned down several kicks at goal in favour of touch-finders and driving mauls, a formula which got nothing from a tenacious Crusaders defence.

They still lead their group but have had all 10 matches in South Africa and only played three offshore sides, the Highlanders, Crusaders and Force.

On the evidence so far, the Chiefs will not bring the same sting as the Crusaders. But the win at the weekend and some tinkering could give them a further late series lift.

Coach Ian Foster agreed his side should have put the game away a lot earlier than they did. "So on that side we've got a bit to learn," he added.

Meanwhile, the Blues travel to Brisbane for Friday's joust with the Reds.

Test blindsider Jerome Kaino is an unlikely starter because of a hamstring complaint that adds to the side's growing casualty list.

Fellow All Black aspirant Adam Thomson was also dinged for the Highlanders, damaging his ribs, and is out of Friday's match with the Hurricanes in Invercargill.

Wings James Paterson and Siale Piutau face the same verdict.

The Blues will cobble a side together with lock Anthony Boric the only player expected back from the repair shop.

Blindsider Chris Lowrey should fill Kaino's role while the selectors will be keen to get Luke McAlister back into midfield if he has recovered from an ankle injury.