Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says his high-flying side have plenty of respect for the lowly Lions, despite their respective records indicating the clash could be come a cakewalk.
The top-of-the-table Chiefs, winners of their last eight Super 15 matches, take on the second-to-bottom Lions at Pukekohe tomorrow night in a true David vs Goliath encounter.
Coincidentally, the last time the Chiefs lost this season _ in round one against the Highlanders _ is also the last time the Lions won.
After edging the Cheetahs at home it has been all downhill for the South African side, but Rennie was wary
about taking any team lightly.
"You can't afford to disrespect any side in this competition,'' he said.
"The Lions are the Currie Cup champions, they've pushed a lot of teams a long way and they've had a few games where they haven't started that well but stormed home. So we're well aware of the threats they pose.''
For those reasons, Rennie refused to concede his charges would have their eyes on the prize of a four-try bonus point _ something which they have attained only twice this season.
"It would be great to get a four-try bonus but really our focus is winning the game first and worrying about any bonus points later,'' he said.
"There's been a lot of teams that have played reckless chasing bonus points and lost games.''
One player who would aid in the search of an elusive fourth try is barnstorming prop Sona Taumalolo, but he has been given a rest the week after scoring his competition-leading seventh try in last weekend's win over the Hurricanes.
He's replaced by Toby Smith, who gets his first start since round one, in one of five changes Rennie has made to his run-on XV.
Rennie said the switches in personnel were less about the merits of the opposition and more for the purpose of squad rotation.
"We've got a lot of guys who've played a fair bit of footy, and other guys who've come off the bench and played really well for us and deserve an opportunity.
"It's more about those other guys getting their chance to add a bit to the team, as opposed to resting other people.''
Heading into a match as the overwhelming favourites is not exactly familiar territory for the Chiefs, so long the hard-luck New Zealand side in the competition.
But Rennie thought the Chiefs would have no problem adjusting to the new, greater expectations.
"It's a lot about setting standards and working hard for that,'' he said.
"We're certainly focusing on what we need to do and also making sure that we've got plenty of energy and we're working hard for each other in the weekend.''
If they do, the result should be a ninth win in 10 games, as well as a crucial continuation of recent momentum.
"I think any points you get at this stage of the year are vital to keep you in the race.
"We've still got seven rounds left and there's a lot of points to be grabbed in there, so we need to make sure we're at our best in the weekend.''
One thing to help the Chiefs with that task is the knowledge that assistant coach Wayne Smith has chosen to stay with the side rather than head off shore for a more lucrative contract.
"We're just really rapt,''Rennie said.
"He's probably the best coach in the world. He's a terrific man to have around and is very passionate about what's happening at the Chiefs.
"I think it's a great signal and we're certainly rapt to have his services for at least another 12 months.''
Chiefs
Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui,
Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden,
Brendon Leonard, Kane Thompson, Sam Cane,
Tanerau Latimer, Michael Fitzgerald, Craig Clark (c),
Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot,Toby Smith.
Res: Mahonri Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo, Alex Bradley,
Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Jackson Willison, Maritino Nemani.
- APNZ