By Jim Kayes
Tomorrow night the Chiefs will face the Highlanders in Hamilton with a backline stacked full of talent, including four All Blacks.
The pressure will again be on the tight five to deliver some decent ball.
In his third year with the Chiefs Hika Elliot insists this is a new look pack, keen to shrug off a history that suggests they cannot truly foot it in super rugby.
“You can't judge us on past performances. We've got 15 odd new players so we're just looking forward to the challenge. We know teams are going to come at us up front, and we just have to be ready for the battle,” Elliot says.
It is also a battle to win over the hearts and minds of fans as no one really expects too much from a Chiefs pack with few familiar faces.
Chiefs lock Craig Clarke said it is hard.
“There has been a bit of criticism of the pack, does that hurt? Yeah it hurts. You never like to be involved in a pack where that talk is directed at you. So there's only one way to fix that.”
It has to be fixed because the Chiefs have a backline with power and pace.
Coach Dave Rennie says they need to make a planned effort.
“We've got to do the job up front. If we can get quality set piece we can launch off that with the threats we have inside. If we can recycle quick phase ball then we can get these guys up against disorganised defences. Those are the challenges.”
For Elliot the challenge is more personal - he also wants to prove he should be an All Black again.
“It's pretty big inside me. Missing out on that world cup team. I just want to play really well for the Chiefs, get some good game time and put my hand up for higher honours.”
Meanwhile the injury hit Highlanders have rushed former All Black Tamati Ellison and England number eight James Haskell onto their bench just days after arriving from Japan.
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