Rolling mauls just one issue for Chiefs

The in-flight entertainment was unlikely to be a priority for the Chiefs management team as the defending Super Rugby champions headed for South Africa after their horror show against a history-seeking Western Force in Perth.

Dave Rennie and assistants Wayne Smith and Tom Coventry had plenty to ponder on the journey to Johannesburg – an expedition that got under way shortly after the Force stunned the back-to-back title holders 18-15 at nib Stadium.

Studying footage of the Chiefs’ shoddy effort was probably a priority and would confirm what the trio witnessed – a performance littered with unforced errors, handling lapses and an alarming turnover rate.

Arguably the major concern was the players’ inability to thwart the Force’s rolling mauls, at least legally.

Matt Hodgson’s double were both instigated by close range mauls that fragmented the Chiefs defence.

Undoubtedly the Bulls, spearheaded by one of the most abrasive forward units in the competition, will have taken note of a tactic that contributed to former All Black prop Jamie Mackintosh being yellow carded late in the first half as they basked in the afterglow of their own success – a 23-19 win in Durban that ended the Sharks’ unbeaten run hours after the Chiefs took their first loss.

Perth has proved a difficult stopover for Kiwi teams in recent seasons – the Crusaders were pipped 16-14 on the way back from South Africa last season and the much-maligned Australian franchise replicated that glorious night to enhance Michael Foley’s rebuild.

‘‘There’s great belief in this group now,’’ Hodgson said, after the Force backed up a dramatic two-point win in Dunedin in the previous round with another defiant defensive effort.

The Force hung on against the Highlanders despite finishing the game with 13 players and they also had to show resilience against the Chiefs given Ben McCalman was suspended and fellow loose forward Hugh McMeniman withdrew at halftime with a shoulder injury.

Rennie, labelled the Chiefs effort ‘‘poor’’.

Knock- ons by Gareth Anscombe and Tim NanaiWilliams – who also sabotaged another promising thrust when joining a forward drive – undermined what would have been a remarkable escape.

The Chiefs committed 10 handling errors and conceded 20 turnovers – crippling statistics in a closely-fought encounter.

‘‘We just made far too many errors. It’s hard to believe we led at halftime because we hardly fired a shot. We’re a better side than that,’’ Rennie said.

‘‘Even mentally we didn’t look that sharp.’’

Co- captain agreed.

‘‘ The attitude wasn’t there right from the start. The Force got the bounce on us and it probably flowed right through the game,’’ the pivot said.

The Chiefs at least secured a bonus point and remain top of the New Zealand conference and third overall.

Encouragingly All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick was prominent and Richie McCaw’s understudy Sam Cane made a solid season debut on the openside flank.

The Force have a bye this week but are seeking a recordequalling fourth straight win in Brisbane on April 5 after winning three in a row for the first time since 2007.

‘‘I’m absolutely thrilled for the blokes. The amount of character shown out there against a champion side was outstanding,’’ Foley said.

That satisfaction was tempered by news that former All Black halfback Alby Mathewson has been cited for stamping on Cane at a breakdown in the third minute – a red card offence says a statement by Sanzar.

Aaron

Cruden