Chiefs Top Guns Here to Win
Expect a star studded Chiefs to take on the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday.
The Chiefs, who are in fourth spot on the points table, are in for a must-win situation to avoid any playoff implications. According to Rugby News, if the Chiefs loss, they could be forced to head out on the road, which head coach, Clayton McMillan wants to avoid. McMillan was confident that he would have anyone that isn’t out for the season back this week for the ‘must win’ fixture in Lautoka. “That’s the nature of the beast in a contact sport,” McMillan said of the Chiefs latest run of injuries.
“We still managed to put out a fairly consistent side this week. Touch wood, Sam’s (Cane) was the only injury that came out.
“We are really confident that everyone that isn’t a season-ending injury, that wasn’t available this week, will be back next week.”
McMillan was hopeful it was a ‘minor’ leg injury as his openside flanker was walking freely around the dressing room post-match but the Chiefs coach was willing to wait before making a call on his availability.
“He (Cane) is walking around fine, so hopefully just minor,” McMillan said of the All Blacks and Chiefs captain.
“I think he would’ve carried on, because he’s just that type of guy. The advice of the medical team was that it just wasn’t worth risking, so we didn’t.”
It is likely that burly All Blacks veteran lock Brodie Rettalick will travel to Fiji, after he recovered from a thumb injury. Rettalick was supposed to play the Force in the weekend but instead was rested again.
The Chiefs forwards have the likes of All
Blacks tighthead prop
Angus Ta’avao, Super
Rugby seasoned campaigners Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei’alo, Tupou Vaa’i,
Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson and Cane.
All Blacks’ Brad Weber is to set to start at No.9 while strong running centre Quinn Tapaea is a sure starter along with Fiji- born flyer Emoni Narawa.