Preview: Chiefs v Highlanders

After a scratchy win against the Lions the Highlanders meet a hurting Chiefs side that should have too much fire-power. The match will be won up front. If the Highlanders can ruin the Chiefs ball, like many sides have this year, they are in with a shot. Otherwise the Chiefs backline will cut loose and it with be a long night for Jimmy Cowan’s men.

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VENUE & TIME: Baypark Stadium, Mt Maunganui, Saturday April 3, 19.35 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Chiefs 9, Highlanders 5.

LAST TIME: March 14, 2009 (Invercargill) – Highlanders 10-14 Chiefs.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: These sides have not previously met at Mt Maunganui.

MATCH ODDS: NZ TAB (Opening odds): Chiefs $1.22, Highlanders $4.00.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Chiefs had one major and a number of minor worries through the week, with the major one being Aled de Malmanche’s broken thumb that will sideline him for some time. Richard Kahui (back) and Sitiveni Sivivatu (knee) picked up strains at Canberra; Kahui will play while Sivivatu misses out. Also missing from last week’s team are Tanerau Latimer (knee), Nathan White (back) and Jackson Willison (dropped), while an interesting selection ses Stephen Donald moved out to second-five to accommodate Mike Delany. Tom Donnelly has finally succumbed to a troublesome ankle and will have surgery this week, which probably means his season is done. Jamie Mackintosh will be out for about six weeks with a foot injury, but Chris King is no mug as a replacement. Michael Hobbs is also out of this match while Fetu’u Vainikolo, Jason Shoemark and Alando Soakai all start this week.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Chiefs:
Round 3: Beat Force 37-19
Round 4: Lost to Reds 18-23
Round 5: Lost to Crusaders 19-26
Round 6: Bye
Round 7: Lost to Brumbies 23-30

PAST FIVE Highlanders:
Round 3: Beat Cheetahs 31-24
Round 4: Lost to Stormers 0-33
Round 5: Lost to Bulls 35-50
Round 6: Lost to Sharks 16-30
Round 7: Beat Lions 39-29

After making a best-ever start to the competition and winning the first three matches on the road, the Chiefs have stumbled badly and now sit in the lower-middle reaches of the table after three straight losses. All three losses have been by seven points or fewer – therefore earning a consolation point each time – but that’s no consolation of any kind. The worst factor is that all three have been to contenders; the only sides the Chiefs have beaten so far this year are currently sitting tenth or below. Since the Highlanders are another team in that bottom bracket, this is a must-win for Ian Foster’s troops. The Highlanders also made a rough start and their South African tour, which began well enough against the Cheetahs, became thoroughly miserable after a couple of beltings from top of the table sides. The Highlanders have played all five South African sides in the last month, with two wins and three losses, but the losses tended to be heavy and the wins not as impressive as might have been hoped. If they’re going to make any sort of progress towards a mid-table finish it has to start here.

WHO'S HOT: The Chiefs need the tight five to lift this week and the set pieces simply must become more stable. Bay of Plenty lock Culum Retallick has grown into a key player for the Chiefs and will be asked to lead the big men in the hard stuff. The loosies need to offer a lot more than they did at Canberra and local lad Luke Braid, replacing another hometown favourite Latimer in the No 7 jersey, will be out to impress. Brendon Leonard scored a sensational solo try and tried as hard as ever, while leading try-scorer Richard Kahui is having a strong season in midfield. Jason Rutledge has been industrious for the Highlanders this year and is clearly one of their more influential forwards; both he and Adam Thomson could play significant parts in the close-quarter contest. Jimmy Cowan had a big hand in many of the Highlanders best moments a week ago while his defence will be a big factor. At the back Israel Dagg is a classy all-round player and his goal-kicking (9 from 10 last week) is an unexpected bonus for a side that has often struggled in this area.

WE THINK: Despite the Chiefs not playing particularly well recently, we simply cannot see the Highlanders being good enough to topple them. The weather forecast is fine for the weekend, which should suit the Chiefs, and if they get their act together a decent win is on the cards. We’ll have the Chiefs by 10 points or so in this one.

TEAMS:

Chiefs: 1.Faka'anaua Taumalolo, 2.Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4.Craig Clarke, 5. Culum Retallick, 6.Liam Messam, 7. Luke Braid, 8.Sione Lauaki, 9.Brendon Leonard, 10. Mike Delany, 11. Dwayne Sweeney, 12. Stephen Donald, 13.Richard Kahui, 14.Lelia Masaga, 15.Mils Muliaina (captain).

Reserves: 16.Vern Kamo, 17.Toby Smith, 18.Jarrad Hoeata, 19. Colin Bourke, 20.Junior Pololeuligaga, 21.Jackson Willison, 22.Tim Nanai-Williams.

Highlanders: 1.Chris King, 2.Jason Rutledge, 3.Clint Newland, 4.Josh Bekhuis, 5.Hayden Triggs, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Alando Soakai, 8. Steven Setephano, 9.Jimmy Cowan (captain), 10.Robbie Robinson, 11. Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12. Jason Shoemark, 13.Kendrick Lynn, 14.Ben Smith, 15.Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16.Jason MacDonald, 17.Bronson Murray, 18.Joe Tuineau, 19.Tim Boys or John Hardie, 20.Sean Romans, 21. Matt Berquist, 22. James Paterson.

REFEREE: Marius Jonker (South Africa)