Lift Game, Chiefs Told
The message is clear for the Chiefs on Sunday. They must be better. It’s been a less than ideal start to Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa for the Chiefs, who are 0 and 2 to start the season. Chiefs forwards coach Neil Barnes said frank conversations were had after their 24-12 loss to the Blues last weekend and they must improve against the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, tomorrow.
“We have pretty high expectations of ourselves, so we are annoyed,” the former Fiji Airways
Flying Fijians forward coach said.
“It’s not like you have to reinvent the wheel, but we are pretty p**sed off with ourselves for letting our opportunities go that we had.”
The usually exhilarating Chiefs failed to score a try in their loss to the Blues, albeit in terrible conditions, but Barnes admits they didn’t take their opportunities when they were on offer.
“We have had a reasonable amount of chances where we have got to the right place on the field and we have messed them up.
“So, it’s about us and our detail and all our games so far have been pretty tight. If you don’t nail those opportunities straight up, you come second.”
It’s the first home game of the season for the Crusaders and they certainly made the most of Hurricanes errors last weekend.
Barnes and the Chiefs know they won’t get away with any mistakes tomorrow.
“It’s two fold. You can’t give them mistakes and if you’ve got an opportunity yourself, you’ve got to take it.
“It’s going to be that tight. We’re up for it and can’t wait. “We have a massive amount of respect for them [Crusaders] they are a very good team, but we certainly don’t fear them.
“We just know that we have to be at our best. We are going to have to go really well.”
The Crusaders confirmed on Wednesday that skipper Scott Barrett has been ruled out for the season with a foot injury and will require surgery.