Rugby: Stern words for Chiefs' players

Tim Nanai-Williams. Photo / Getty Images.

The Chiefs' trip to South Africa has started off with some tense words exchanged between the camp.

After their shock 18-15 loss to the Western Force the flight over to the Republic was one of deep reflection after the coaching staff refused to mince their words.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith says the only positive he can find so far is that they will have no injuries ahead of their match against the Bulls on Sunday.

"Tim Nanai-Williams didn't run yesterday, he's got a slight strain in the back of his hamstring but I don't think there'll be anyone not available for selection this week of the guys who are over here.''

Tense words have been exchanged between the coaching staff and players, and Smith says the players have responded well.

"As in every area we've just got to step up. If we come into the match like we went into the Force match then I'll tell you we've got no show and we've been pretty brutal about that. As coaches we don't tend to hide anything.''

He says they have already started working on their lineout as they've identified that as an area of critical weakness.

"Our lineout has been a work in progress. We've made some progress, but we're going to be up against the best lineout in the competition from the best lineout forward in the world running it in Victor Matfield. So that's a huge challenge for our forwards.''