Chiefs want to “cut some shapes” in Crusaders

The Chiefs are preparing the take on the Crusaders when the men from Christchurch head to Hamilton for the Super Rugby semi-final on Saturday, 27 July 2013, and the hosts are looking for some revenge.

The last time the two teams met, the Crusaders managed to defeat the Chiefs in a convincing 43-15 win at the Crusaders’ home ground, but Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot believes Saturday will be a different story.

“We’ve always gone into the games against the Crusaders knowing that we have to front as a forward pack and if you look back at the last game it was us forwards that got beaten up, especially at the breakdown and line-out time,” said Elliot.

“We really need to step up in terms of our set-piece and bring an edge and a physicality to our game that people haven’t seen this year.

“If we can do that I think we’ve got the potential in our backline to cut some shapes up in teams,” added the Hooker.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie echoed the sentiments of Elliot, saying that after the disappointing performance against the Crusaders, the team is eager to prove themselves this weekend.

“If you don’t bring the same sort of intensity [as the Crusaders] you’re going to be under a bit of pressure and we didn’t have that with or without the ball,” said Rennie.

“Any repeat of that and the season is over so I’m pretty confident you won’t see any of that.”

Source:  Fairfax NZ News