The Chiefs may be atop of the New Zealand Conference in Super Rugby, but this team has been here before, and there is an added complication of travel to consider.
The margin of victory the Chiefs had over the Southern Kings on Saturday surprised many. A scoreboard that reads 58-24 and a seven-try performance isn’t indicative of the travel factor that the Chiefs had to endure during the last week, and indeed the week ahead.
Case in point: following the loss to the Lions, the Chiefs flew to Sydney before connecting on a direct flight to Johannesburg, and from there another flight to Port Elizabeth. After playing and winning against the Kings, Dave Rennie and his men then flew back up to Johannesburg before joining a long-haul flight to Sau Paulo, Brazil. And then, a third flight to Argentina.
All that travel, including the many miles back to New Zealand after the game against the Jaguares, makes for a very testing few weeks physically and mentally for the Chiefs, especially for those who are new to Super Rugby. Damian McKenzie in particular seems to be better for the travel, notching himself a perfect kicking result against the Kings and also scoring his third try in as many weeks. Acknowledging that Aaron Cruden is happy to leave the kicking duties to McKenzie in the games ahead, as he has stated to media in recent weeks.
Travel aside, everything goes up another level this weekend in Argentina though, and the Chiefs are firmly up against it. The atmosphere inside the Vélez Sarsfield stadium for the first ever home game in Super Rugby for Los Jaguares is expected to be of a level representing that of an international match, and it will be something that even the likes of Sam Cane and Aaron Cruden; both seasoned All Blacks, will be in awe of with the passion that Argentina’s first Super Rugby side will bring.
A loss now could quickly lead to more, and history proves that. The Chiefs were in a similar position heading into week four of the competition in 2015, before stumbling into a situation where they couldn’t string regular wins together. Injuries did play a major part in that sequence, and those injuries have continued into 2016–the latest casualty being Brodie Retallick who is expected to miss the next four weeks at least with a serious rib injury.
It is imperative that the Chiefs beat the Jaguares for mine, and beat them well. Injuries and travel aside, a second bonus point win on the trot would give them a hold on the competition. The Chiefs are already the top points scorer out of all the New Zealand teams in Super Rugby, notching 117 points so far in three games.
Time will tell if the Chiefs are truly capable of winning a title in 2016. The planning that Rennie and his management staff have put in place to ensure this tour does not have a disastrous effect on the side is showing positive signs, if the result against the Kings is anything to go by. There is still a lot of travel, and indeed a lot of rugby to go in this competition and the Chiefs are performing well… so far.
“Main photo credit”
