Chiefs can write own ending
One way or the other, the end of an era nears for the Chiefs.
Just how the final chapter of their most successful period concludes is yet to be determined. But for those individuals set to depart, many of whom have played influential roles in transforming this franchise, exiting this weekend in Cape Town would be a hollow finish.
Views of Table Mountain or Camps Bay won’t soften the blow.
Dave Rennie, by way of Wellington and Palmerston North, arrived in Hamilton and, alongside Wayne Smith, immediately delivered the Chiefs their first and second titles.
Six years on, Rennie, along with assistant coach Kieran Keane, All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Tawera Kerr- Barlow, and James Lowe, Michael Leitch and Hika Elliot are all set for their curtain call.
Halves partners Cruden and KerrBarlow in particular have been there through it all.
Whether it’s this weekend, next, or in the grand final — when and how that contingent bows out rests in their hands.
Prolonging the farewell tour is a likely driver against the Stormers.
With two quarter- finals and one last four exit in the past three years, there i s also a sense of unfinished business for a team that once looked like building an empire.
In many ways, this year has been another campaign of what- ifs.
The Chiefs could claim to be the second best Kiwi team after t wice knocking over the Hurricanes but losses to the Crusaders and Stormers, and a poor draw with the Blues, ultimately forced them to travel to South Africa for the same quarterfinal they breezed through last year.
The Stormers are a different team to the one the Chiefs humbled then, highlighted by their 34- 26 victory over Rennie’s men in Cape Town earlier this year.
Last year’s knockout match was the first time the Stormers had faced Kiwi opposition that season, and they were blown away 60- 21 by the Chiefs’ pace, skill and offloading. This year, the Lions find themselves in that precarious position.
Such a reality check saw Stormers coach, former Springboks midfielder Robbie Fleck, target major improvements in everything from conditioning to handling, tackling and their approach at the breakdown.
Former Auckland coach and Blues skills adviser Paul Feeney came on board to offer specific insight into the New Zealand attitude.
“The Chiefs were outstanding,” Fleck said of the 2016 quarter- final. “They upped the tempo and intensity which we had not seen that year and we were completely outplayed. We had to really scratch our heads and think where to now. I’m grateful it happened because it enlightened us as to where we needed to go. We were so far behind the Chiefs that night. Our decision- making needed to be worked on and, thankfully things have started to come right for us. When we played the Chiefs in the round- robin, we were happy to say we had caught up a bit of ground.”
Losing Charlie Ngatai to an ankle injury significantly weakens the Chiefs midfield but All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert- Brown should be well rested after a week off.