Rugby: Switch from Chiefs has Hoeata on a high

Jarrad Hoeata, tackled by Sitiveni Sivivatu, has become a core figure for the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

If you want a gauge to make sense of the differences between the Chiefs and the Highlanders, Jarrad Hoeata is a good measure.

He was a bit-part player for the Chiefs last season but this year, under the tuition of new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, Hoeata has become a core figure in the high-flying southerners' pack.

The 27-year-old has shown some thumping work as a blindside flanker and is repeating that as a lock for the southern franchise.

His form is keeping All Black lock Tom Donnelly on the bench and may have been a catalyst for Blues coach Pat Lam settling on loosie Chris Lowrey rather than a rookie to staunch his locking crisis.

Hoeata and his tight five comrades have been concentrating their attention on preparing for the Chiefs after this week's tiring flight back from South Africa.

"Our scrum has been going well but our lineout has had a few hiccups," Chiefs' forwards coach Craig Stevenson said. "We have struggled with a few drives coming at us, there was a bit of panic when we went away from the plan."

The Chiefs have picked Hika Elliot for his superior lineout throwing and believe if they shift their targets into the space, that part of their game will function properly.

The Highlanders won the first contest between the sides 23-13 in Dunedin, overcoming a halftime deficit.

"They have been a tight forward unit," Stevenson said of tonight's foes. "We have a lot of respect for them and they've earned that by their performances this season. They are all playing for each other.

"They are always a team you have to be on your game to beat and Jarrad [Hoeata] has shown how much he has developed going from us to the Highlanders. He is getting regular game time at lock or six."

The Chiefs are at the bottom of the New Zealand section of the Super 15 but feel they will make an impact through to the end of the series.

Stevenson was impressed by tighthead Ben Afeaki's progress after injury and noted that Toby Smith had also thrown himself into his work.

Former All Black lock Isaac Ross was on the bench for the Chiefs, but has delivered strong lineout analysis and contributed when he came from the bench. With a set of athletic looseforwards and dangerous backs, the Chiefs' potential remains.

Their journey to the end of their campaign in coach Ian Foster's final fling has four home games but a rugged schedule against the Highlanders, Stormers, Crusaders then a bye before the Blues, Hurricanes and Reds.

NZ under-20 first five-eighths Lima Sopoaga will kick goals for the Highlanders in his first start since late February as the visitors continue to sift their injured roster.

"He's been working well. He's a diligent trainer and he puts a lot of work into his game, and goalkicking is part of that," assistant coach Simon Culhane said.

The versatile Ben Smith stays in midfield to shore up further injuries, with Culhane suggesting there is an outside chance Colin Slade might return from his second jaw break for the last pool game against the Blues.