Top-flight Hurricanes major task for Chiefs

The Chiefs might be looking enviously at the Hurricanes ahead of their clash at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight.

As the Hurricanes welcome back Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea to their squad, the Chiefs are still without their All Blacks stars, who remain sidelined due to various ailments.

Brodie Retallick is on All Blacks leave, using his second rest week as he still recovers from his wrist injury, while prop Nepo Laulala is also out with a knee complaint.

A new front row of Atu Moli, Nathan Harris and Angus Ta’avao will start tonight against the Hurricanes, with Moli at loosehead shifting Ta’avao to tighthead.

Harris returns to start, with Liam Polwart named reserve hooker.

Lock Michael Allardice will captain the side in the absence of Retallick, with Allardice’s return seeing Tyler Ardron move back to No 8 and Taleni Seu shift to the bench.

Two changes have been made in the backs with Solomon Alaimalo returning at fullback while Tumua Manu moves to centre.

A reshuffle of the reserves sees the inclusion of loosehead prop Tevita Mafileo to the 23 along with halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, experienced first five-eighth cover Stephen Donald and midfield cover Alex Nankivell.

Sosefo Kautai and Jesse Parete remain as tighthead and loose forward cover.

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said he is wanting his team to deliver an improved performance tonight in the capital after their surprise loss to the Lions last weekend.

“This weekend, we need to be more disciplined and alert if we are to be competitive.

“We had a good tussle against the Hurricanes at home last month, we know this weekend will be no different. We need to ensure our defence systems are strong and we are quick to our feet.

“If we can combine that with patience and control on attack, we should be in a good space.” Allardice was more direct. “It’s a must-win,” he said. “We’re coming off a loss, so we need to bounce back.

“We look back on that Lions game, I think we were sitting eighth or ninth, we win, we go to fifth, we lost, now we’re 14th. So it’s such a tight comp there in the middle.

“You have obviously got the Crusaders up top, otherwise it’s pretty much an even spread.

“So every game’s a must-win from here on in for us to put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs.”

The Chiefs haven’t missed finals action since 2011 — the longest current stretch of any Kiwi side — but with star playmaker Damian McKenzie’s season-ending injury, that record will be severely tested.

The absence of Retallick for a second week in a row will be another major factor, with those two having also been so instrumental in the 23-23 draw in Hamilton when the Chiefs and Hurricanes last met six weeks ago.