Chiefs fired up for epic clash

Battle of test-like intensity expected tonight, writes Evan Pegden. The last time the Chiefs and Crusaders clashed six weeks ago in Hamilton beaten Crusaders captain and fill-in All Blacks captain Kieran Read admitted parts of it were up to test level in terms of intensity.

Tonight it seems we can expect that to go to another level again when the return match is played in Christchurch.

The Crusaders – with the best record in Super Rugby over the last 18 seasons – have to get maximum points and deny the Chiefs a point if they are to keep alive their slim hopes of winning the New Zealand Conference and getting the home advantage benefits that brings in the playoffs.

While the Chiefs have only to pick up one more competition point to clinch the conference their ambitions go far higher than that. They are aiming to win their last two games and finish top seeds overall so they don’t have to venture away from Waikato Stadium for any playoff games.

‘‘We know there’s a lot on the line this week,’’ said Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie.’’We’ll play a very good Crusaders side at their home ground, they’re pretty desperate and that makes it a tough challenge.

‘‘Obviously we’ve set goals and we need to win one more game to be sure of a home semi and we certainly don’t want to put the pressure on us to have to do that next week [against the Blues in Auckland] so we need to front.’’

A fascinating showdown is in prospect with the Chiefs last year taking a stance that they wouldn’t be intimidated by the aggressive Crusaders approach and in that respect they took it to the southerners in a multitude of little ways that at times fringed on niggle.

Crusaders players this week have spoken of not being bullied tonight and that brought a wry grin to Rennie’s face, knowing a year ago it had been his team talking that way. He is in no doubt it will be a massive clash tonight.

‘‘Don’t be surprised if it’s another cog up again [this time] because there is so much on the line.’’

Once again it will come down to the scrum, lineout, kickoff and breakdown battles mostly involving the big men up front, but if the Chiefs can get parity or more in those areas their backs will have to take their chances.

To do so will take a massive effort as the Crusaders have an all-All Black pack, but the Chiefs have already shown they have the firepower required.

Centre Charlie Ngatai, who got the nod to start at No 13 ahead of Tim Nanai- Williams, also started against the Crusaders last time and said that gave him a little bit of confidence in terms of knowing what to expect.

‘‘Going down to Christchurch it’s always tough down there, the weather always changes which is different, and they’ll be a different team so we have to be up for that,’’ Ngatai said.

‘‘It will be like another test match game, same as the last game, so it will be tough.’’

Ngatai said the team were spurred on by the knowledge a win in Christchurch would give them a home semifinal and despite many midfield changes this season due to injuries and selection decisions he was confident they had the combination that would profit the team if they played up to their best standard.

"This is where we have to lift our standard even more than the last time we played them so I guess it’s going to be a tough game.’’