Chiefs ready to 'have a crack'
The Chiefs are determined to lower the Hurricanes' chances when the two in-form New Zealand franchises meet in Wellington on Saturday.
The Hurricanes are well clear at the top of the standings – with just one loss in 11 matches – their 48 points 10 more than the Chiefs, who sit outside the top three because of the conference system.
Chiefs utility back Damian McKenzie admitted Saturday's outing in the Cake Tin could be decisive for his team.
"They are obviously the form team in the competition and we are playing them in Wellington," McKenzie said in an interview on allblacks.com.
"We just have to look at the fact we are playing them twice within a few weeks as a positive," he added.
McKenzie's contribution has eased back in the latter stages of the competition, after he was used intensively through the early stages.
He had no preconceptions coming into the Chiefs environment and just decided to take things as they came.
"It was awesome to have a crack. After the unfortunate injury to Cruds [Aaron Cruden] there has been a lot of competition to play flyhalf – with [brother] Marty and Andrew Horrell," he said.
The Hurricanes they would be "tough" at home, McKenzie said.
He added that they are in form, have a very good forward pack and a lethal backline who would keep the Chiefs on their toes.
Source: allblacks.com