Rugby: With work, Chiefs could win all three

Lelia Masaga will be practising his draw-and-pass. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs have a prime opportunity over the next two weeks to entrench themselves at the top of the overall conference ladder until beyond mid-season.

They have matches away against the low-table Cheetahs at high-altitude Bloemfontein and the mid-table Sharks in sea-level Durban.

However, if Friday against the Force in Perth was a guide, the Chiefs are fortunate not to be meeting the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld or the Stormers at Newlands. Ball hogging, butter fingers and breakdown and scrum confusion threatened to spoil the Chiefs' outstanding start but a resolute defence trumped such flaws in the 20-12 defeat of the Force.

The last time the Chiefs won in Australia was against the Force in February 2010 - and their current strength of character suggests they are a chance to return from this three-match tour with three wins. The Chiefs created a swag of opportunities in Perth but were also let down by poor decisions. Coach Dave Rennie said such lapses were disappointing.

"It's bloody frustrating, given the time we spend working on such matters."

Lelia Masaga and Tim Nanai-Williams could thread themselves through the eye of a needle - and their support play is excellent - but they need to sharpen their peripheral vision and be more aware when to pass or take the ball into a tackle after making breaks.

A by-product of taking more tackles would have been a reduction in handling errors. Rennie had thoughts on Masaga and Nanai-Williams before they flew to South Africa last night.

"Lelia looks good when he finds space, but a bit of draw-and-pass is on the agenda for him. I don't mind players like Tim celebrating with dance moves ... after they score tries."

The worst panic attack in possession came when hooker Hika Elliot replaced Mahonri Schwalger in the 60th minute. The Chiefs endured 14 phases of Force attack to get the ball back, then Elliot threw a pass over the sideline rather than going into contact in the next movement.

Having 14 penalties go against them and conceding 18 turnovers at the breakdown meant the Chiefs faced a night of attrition which they can ill afford to repeat in the next fortnight.

The upside was their relentless defence. A concertina-like spread from the breakdown means they rarely commit too many defenders.

"Our defence was crucial," Rennie said, "especially seeing we gave away a lot of penalties and had some issues at scrum time. Our scrum was dominant but the interpretations are always different. We're seeking feedback."

"There was a thought Sona [Taumalolo] was not keeping his hips square to the target," captain Craig Clarke said. "But it was hard to hold him back when our scrum was so dominant."

Lock and No 8 Kane Thompson is returning home with a neck injury. He is expected to be fit in a couple of weeks. Fritz Lee replaces him. Prop Toby Smith was not considered with a calf injury on Friday but should be fit to play this week.