Chiefs should be road warriors
If ever there was a hospital pass in the face of a rushing defensive line, being asked to mount a case for why the Chiefs will win Super Rugby is it. It’s not to say they can’t do it, it’s just that everything points to them not. But therein lies the key to why they can take this thing out.
How luxurious is an underdog status going in the playoffs? Sure, there are outsiders who really should be beaten by a higher seed, but here, it’s really just travel, and location of rugby posts which would hold the Chiefs back.
This team is far from a smokey which has weaseled its way into the last four via a convoluted conference system. No, they Chiefs are every bit title contenders when you lay the four sides bare. Experience, quality, and X-factor.
Their tough travel schedule means there’s no pressure on the Chiefs. Now the shackles can be thrown off, and can bring on the razzle-dazzle.
If there’s a side which certainly doesn’t mind doing a bit of that, it’s the Chiefs, with that electric man Damian Mckenzie holding the potential to break home-team hearts.
The Chiefs have beaten the Crusaders in both their previous semifinal meetings and the last time they met in Christchurch, while they are also 2-0 against the Hurricanes this year, and the Lions haven’t even had to try to stop the skills of a Kiwi side this year.
Having won two titles already, savvy coach Dave Rennie knows what it takes at this stage of the competition. Add to that the extra motivation the team can glean from his impending departure overseas, not to mention the rest of their departing crew including stalwarts Tawera Kerr-barlow and Aaron Cruden, and the Chiefs can certainly shake this up.