Chiefs need to show desperation: Coach
Losing to the Crusaders in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific last weekend has sharpened the Chiefs’ focus ahead of tonight’s game with Moana Pasifika in Hamilton.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said the loss hurt.
“The reality is we were beaten to the punch by a pretty desperate team in lots of little areas,” he said.
“We need to show the same level of desperation, but there was also lots of positive stuff to come out of the game.”
Looking to small areas where they need to make more significant shifts to improve would show that they have learned from their loss and are trending in the right direction.
He had confidence in the side, and while they still had to achieve a preferred degree of consistency, that hadn’t detracted from the internal belief they could beat anyone in the competition.
The formula to achieve that was applying the fundamentals of the game.
“Set piece functioning, skill sets, not going into their shells and having the confidence to express themselves, but also make good decisions that ensure we’re on the right side of turnover rates and penalty counts.” Moana Pasifika was a side that has shown more consistency under former All Black Tana Umaga’s coaching.
“They’ve improved. That hasn’t necessarily translated into more wins, but in games, for long periods, they are challenging some quality teams and scoring some good tries. “They’ve got good athletes and they’re clear around their identity and how they want to play. They’re kicking a lot of goals and have the best percentages in the competition.”
McMillan said the bye was important, and when they have theirs next weekend, they will have been training and playing for 14 consecutive weeks.
“And when you get into the business of the rugby season, a day off isn’t really a day off. There’s always some recovery, rehab, prehab, reviewing, previewing. A lot goes on in those days that players or coaches aren’t in the office.”
There was also a possibility that teams could lose momentum due to a bye.