Can Chiefs break Sydney bogey?
The Chiefs head into their clash with the Waratahs in Sydney under the cloud of a horrendous record in the New South Wales city.
Captain Liam Messam is aware of the problems his side have had in Sydney over the years and is very excited to get out there and rectify their loss to the Reds last weekend.
He told NZAP: "The pleasing thing for us now is that we have a short turnaround and are going to a place where the Chiefs haven't done all that well, Sydney, so we've got a lot of motivating factors going into Friday night against the Waratahs."
The Chiefs have only managed to take one victory from eight previous attempts at Allianz Park – that being in 2007.
The Reds completely outplayed the defending champions last weekend and Messam said that it is important for his team to focus entirely on what they can control and what they do well.
"We just try to do the basics well, that's all you can do.
"When the pressure's on you just try to shift the momentum. It comes down to a few basic things," he said.
The side from Hamilton have been struck down by a number of injuries but are unsure of the extent of the injuries.
Prop Ben Tameifuna has an elbow injury, Tim Nanai-Williams has a groin problem and the impressive Patrick Osborne has a hamstring strain.
Osborne provided the Chiefs with a spark when he came on against the Reds and coach Dave Rennie is aware of his ability and hopes to see more of that speed and skill from the wing.
Rennie said: "Even during the week he clearly looks like our fastest back.
"He was exciting, that's the sort of stuff we want to see from him," Rennie added.
The Chiefs come up against a struggling Waratahs side that lost their last game to the Hurricanes 41-29.
The Waratahs are coming off a bye and this could prove to be important for them after they had to rebuild once again after registering two wins before the loss to the Hurricanes.
Michael Cheika and his side are in a building phase and he will hope that his big players can provide some guidance for the younger players going forward in the competition.
