Chiefs expect no favours from Mitchell
Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:31
The Chiefs are expecting no favours from one of their region's favourite sons, John Mitchell, when they confront the Western Force in a Super 14 clash in Perth on Saturday.
The Force are eight points adrift of the fourth-placed Chiefs and need a minor miracle in order to qualify for the play-offs.
Mitchell isn't happy with the way his team's season has capitulated and the Chiefs know that. They also know there will be no sentimentality from Mitchell who coached the Chiefs in 2001 and 2002 before picking up the All Blacks and then moving to Perth to start the new Aussie franchise.
The Force coach is a Waikato legend, having played 134 games for the province, including 84 as captain and claiming the NPC title and Ranfurly Shield title along the way.
But professional times call for professional attitudes and Mitchell would love nothing more than to tip over the Chiefs and help get something out of his team's disappointing campaign.
"We are under no illusions what the Force are going to want," emphasised Chiefs coach Ian Foster on rugbyheaven.co.nz.
"They have had a bye, they are coming off a disappointing game against the Reds the week before and we know they are going to be charged up.
"Giteau is back and they are going to be at full strength. So it's going to be a tough ask. But it's still there - the challenge is still there," added Foster.
The challenge Foster is talking of is completing the race for the semifinals with the Lions and Sharks in South Africa next on the agenda.
Foster knows the trip will make or break his team. But he's confident that the three weeks away can take his side to another level.
"It's been good to be home. We have won six out of seven at home so that's a good result," said Foster.
"Now we hit the road and we have to enjoy touring. This team is getting pretty tight and I think getting on the road can be a real positive.
"We have to use it to have a bit of fun, spend a bit of time together and really, from the look of the Reds match, we need to just freshen this team up and enjoy a slightly different challenge.
"We are enjoying what we are doing and we are in a bit of a groove. So it's nice to hit the road like that. And it's great to hit the road with a solid win.
"But there were some pretty clear warning bells [against the Reds].
"We can't afford to go to sleep. There was enough to keep a coach happy that we got what we wanted, there were some really good moments but we got a few wake-up calls as well," added Foster.
Meanwhile, Chiefs skipper Mils Muliaina senses good things going on around him and a real determination coming into his side.
He was thrilled with the way his players managed to hold their focus against the Reds despite coming off the big win over the Crusaders the week before and then being put under pressure by the Brisbane-based franchise.
"I think we have to be happy because we have toughed it out, we are on the road now and it can only get better," said Muliaina.
"We started believing a wee while ago when we started winning. So yes, there is a sense of belief there.
"The good thing about this team is that we are pretty tight as a group . Heading away we have to be smart. We are going to be together 24 hours a day and the key is to get a bit of a balance there.
"But there is a sense of belief that we can hopefully make a play-off. But we have been taking the whole year as one week at a time and this week is going to be huge for us," concluded Muliaina.
