Super 12 glory beckons battered Chiefs

By CHRIS RATTUE

Chiefs coach Ian Foster says his patched-up side will not be sidetracked by the lure of a semifinals appearance as they prepare for their next two games.

They host the Bulls in Hamilton on Friday, then the star-laden Brumbies.

Foster's major tasks this week are to fix an under-manned scrum - where the Bulls will show no mercy - and manage more injury problems, including the likely absence of lock Keith Robinson again.

The Chiefs will probably have to win both games to make the semifinals.

Foster has no qualms about the focus of his players who - apart from former Highlander Byron Kelleher and title-winning Blues prop Deacon Manu - are more accustomed to Super 12 brickbats than glory.

"If there was a danger it would have shown up in the last two or three weeks ... the guys are learning how to deal with the pressure of the Super 12 so I'm not concerned about that at all," said Foster.

"At the beginning of the year I was asked how I would handle the poisoned chalice of coaching the Chiefs. There is no magic formula. You work hard and that's what we'll keep doing."

The Chiefs, fourth after their stunning win over the Stormers, are poised to make their first semifinal appearance and turn 2004 into a watershed year for the franchise.

The Hamilton-based side began as $40 title chances and were the TAB's lowest-rated New Zealand side. They are now paying about $7 and could even host a semifinal.

Foster heaped praise on his players for staying on track despite injury disasters which removed vital players and forced readjustments.

The marvel is that such an un-fancied side is in the hunt despite major injury blows.

And there is no respite. Utility back Stephen Donald and hooker Aleki Lutui from the development team are joining the squad today.

But Donald has an ankle problem, and if he is not fit to replace Loki Crichton - who requires knee surgery - 30-year-old former All Black Adrian Cashmore is likely to be called in.

Robinson remains doubtful because of the back injury which forced him to withdraw six hours before the Stormers match.

He had back surgery a couple of seasons ago, and Foster says: "We'll be lucky to have him back."

Centre Keith Lowen and lock Sean Hohneck remain in doubt, and reserve hooker John Pareanga damaged an ankle in club rugby.

Bay of Plenty's Lutui has joined as cover.

Pareanga is a top lineout thrower, but Lutui would add running power.

The Chiefs will hope that injury-prone fullback Todd Miller lasts the distance, especially as his back-up Grant McQuoid is a utility.

New Zealand Colt Donald, who will leave second division Counties Manukau if there is a place for him in the Waikato NPC squad, is mainly a first five-eighths and has been injured for more than a month.

Cashmore is back with Bay of Plenty - his first NPC province - after three years in the inferior Japanese competition so is an unknown quantity.