The Chiefs are putting their faith in first-five Damian McKenzie recovering from a hand injury in time to play the Crusaders in what is a pivotal game in Christchurch on Saturday.
But just as important to the Super Rugby Pacific leaders will be improving a defence which leaked 26 unanswered points in the second half of their 35-17 defeat to the Hurricanes.
It was an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by a usually highly consistent side who retained their place at the top of the table thanks to their superior points differential compared with the Crusaders, who have a game in hand.
After their bye next weekend, the Chiefs face Moana Pasifika in Hamilton and the Highlanders in Dunedin in the run in to the playoffs – games very much in the winnable category, although the former have surprised a few this season.
The Crusaders’ run-in features the Waratahs in Sydney, the Highlanders in Christchurch and a potentially difficult trip to Canberra to play the third-placed Brumbies.
Every team has looked vulnerable at times this season, including the two front runners.
The Crusaders’ two losses came against the Chiefs in Hamilton and a shock defeat to Moana Pasifika — both heavy. They have tightened up since, although they did escape a Hurricanes’ comeback in Wellington in round nine. They also needed two James O’Connor penalties in the final 10 minutes to beat the Blues a week later.
But the Chiefs’ downfall at the weekend was as unexpected as it was spectacular after they led 17-9 at the break.
Replacement wing Bailyn Sullivan made history when scoring all four of the Hurricanes’ tries after the break as the home side too easily unlocked the Chiefs’ defence via a long pass, a break through Cortez Ratima and Shaun Stevenson close to the line, an excellent wide cross-kick by Ruben Love, and a shorter grubber kick by Riley Higgins.
Getting McKenzie back on the field after he missed the last two weekends for the Chiefs will be important for their game management, but a Crusaders attack that ran in six tries against the Highlanders last time out will threaten them in different ways.
However, the Crusaders may be without All Black Will Jordan, who is due for a rest. Jordan has played in all 10 Crusaders matches this season and head coach Rob Penney has been guarded about Jordan's rest plan.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said. of his All Blacks No.10 McKenzie: “Everything's tracking in the direction that he should be available, but we won't count our chickens before they hatch.”
Elsewhere, the defending champion Blues must win in Suva against the Drua to force their way back into the playoffs mix after being overtaken for the sixth and final spot by Moana Pasifika, who have a bye this weekend.
Moana Pasifika beat the Highlanders 34-29 in Dunedin – their first win over the southerners, in another Ardie Savea-inspired performance.
The Hurricanes, in fifth place, and Highlanders, in 10th, also have byes.
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