The Chiefs will be hoping for a repeat of their victory over the Hurricanes two weeks ago when they square off in the first Super 14 semifinal at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Friday.

While the Chiefs employed a largely conservative gameplan during the two teams' last encounter, the news from the Chiefs camp during the build-up to this week's playoff is that they are ready to cut loose once again. The weather played a big part in their 16-8 Round 13 win and it could play a similar role this week. If conditions play ball, so to speak, this game may well turn out to be the season's biggest blockbuster.

The Chiefs will go into the semifinal having won their last five matches in Hamilton, their last defeat being against the Sharks in February. In 2008, they won six out of seven matches in the city. Their recent form at home in matches against the Hurricanes also suggests that the Wellington side will have to be at their best to prevent the Chiefs from reaching their first-ever Super Rugby Final.

Although last Friday’s 10-7 win over the Brumbies advanced the Chiefs’ imposing home record in the Ian Foster Era [2004-09] to 28 wins and a draw from 39 matches; the comforts of home haven’t always been an advantage in this particular rivalry.

The Chiefs have proven to be one of the most dangerous teams in the Super 14 with big, ball-carrying forwards and a set of skillful and talented backs. They can attack and defend well, scoring 43 tries in the league stage of the Super 14. They also boast the fifth best defensive record, conceding 33 tries.

It’s already been an historic season for the Chiefs as the nine wins achieved so far is the most ever by a Chiefs side – outdoing the previous record of seven, recorded on three occasions – while the side also won six in a row at one point; which was also a best.

Now Foster’s men have the opportunity to go where no team from the Waikato-based franchise has gone before by qualifying for a maiden Super 14 final. Standing in the way are the Hurricanes – a side the Chiefs edged by eight points on the same turf just two weeks ago – but an opponent that has infinitely more semifinal experience and knowledge than do the Chiefs.

The Hurricanes, who with 49 scored the most tries in the league phase and conceded 35, have excelled as the tournament progressed. They have hit a rich run of form in recent weeks and will come up against a Chiefs outfit that has been on-song for most of the competition.

Three players – captain and No 8 Rodney So’oialo, centre Ma’a Nonu and back-up prop Tim Fairbrother – remain on the ‘Canes’ playing staff from the first of Cooper’s four previous semifinal appearances in 2003 at Christchurch.

The Chiefs, who lost 17-32 away to the Brumbies in their sole previous semifinal experience in 2004, have just the All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu left from that occasion.

Foster felt it was also beneficial to have played the Hurricanes as recently as May 9, when the Chiefs won in a wet weather arm wrestle.

"It was a good preparation game -- there was a home semi on it in effect and we managed to get what we wanted. We can take some confidence from that," Foster said.

With more dirty conditions forecast for game day, the fact the Chiefs had won ugly against the Hurricanes and Brumbies was another bonus.

"It's what we've had to do under pressure and we've been able to do it," he said.

"They've [the Hurricanes] had a game on a pretty hard, fast surface [in Brisbane] last week, they chucked the ball around so our preparation against the Brumbies was probably quite good for this week."

"We all can't wait for this match. It's been a good week of preparation, with a lift in excitement that such an occasion brings."

Despite the latest injury frustrations Foster said his side's preparations have gone well so far as finals fever hits the hamlet of Hamilton.

"We've been trying to keep a lid on it to a certain extent and try to focus on the learnings we got out of a fortnight ago," said the coach.

"But overall you can feel the excitement going around and I think we'll be ready to go."

So'oialo is the only Hurricanes captain to win a semifinal, having done so against the Waratahs in 2006.

Not as successful were Mark Allen in 1997, Tana Umaga in 2003 and 2005, and Andrew Hore last year. He believes attitude, rather than injuries, were a much more important element in deciding the result of a big game.

He said while the Chiefs are without Kahui, Brendon Leonard and Ben May, they had played with the sort of team verve this year to compensate for player loss.

"The occasion itself brings out the person in you," the deadlocked captain said.

"I don't think their heart's going to change. Their passion will still come out and their crowd will still lift them."

Players to watch: There is so much brilliance in both teams and hopefully this game will live to the hype. Ma'a Nonu will most definitely be a major threat while the Chiefs' potent back three of Muliaina, Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga, should also have a massive influence on the game. Up front Hurrianes captain So’oialo's experience will be invaluable for the visitors while Liam Messam will also be eyeing supremacy at the breakdown.

Head to head: At the back, Cory Jane will be keen to get one over All Blacks incumbent, Mills Muliaina, while Stephen Donald and Willie Ripia's kicking game will be crucial for both team's efforts. So’oialo's battle with Sione Lauaki should also be very intriguing contest while Andrew Hore will also be trying to get the upper hand over the powerful Aled de Malmanche
 
Recent results:

2009: Chiefs 16-8 Hurricanes, Hamilton
2008: Chiefs 19-39 Hurricanes, Wellington
2007: Chiefs 32-39 Hurricanes, Hamilton
2006: Chiefs 10-35 Hurricanes,Wellington
2005: Chiefs 16-28 Hurricanes, Wellington

iafrica.com Prediction: When these two teams met earlier in the competition it played out as a typical final and this time it should be no different. The Chiefs have shown the ability to grind out a win despite playing an expansive game for most of the season. the Hurricanes should fancy their chances in this rematch but the Chiefs should still come out on top by at least six points.

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Joe Savage, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 David Bason, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Rodney So’oialo (captain), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Zac Guilford.

Date: Friday, May 22
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Weather prediction: 15°C - Late morning showers and South West wind
Referee: Stu Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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