Page 39 - Chiefs v Lions

The Maori All Blacks were a a a a tough challenge but the the Lions saw them off
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much already We’ve been together for the three weeks and we’ve improved game game on on game game just from
the the pure quality of the the opposition
that we’ve come up against This is is a a a a a a a a a a a a great rugby nation and these players have learnt I thought it was another step up tonight ”
The Chiefs game could also be a a a a a chance to to bring in in in some of the the extra players called into the the the squad this week especially having had them involved in in in in games in in in in the the the same region and without all the the effects of jet lag But it it won’t get any easier for the the tourists The Chiefs showed their desire to to claim an international scalp only last year Wales know all about that they found themselves on on the the the receiving end of of that performance in in Hamilton when they were the the the most recent of of the the the New Zealand sides to play an an international opponent Importantly for for the the Chiefs as a a a a result of their winning 40-7 performance against Wales they they know they they can do the the the the job without their All Blacks Led on on on that occasion by inspired veteran ve-eighths Stephen Donald the the Chiefs ran ran the the Welsh second-string
“The Chiefs showed their desire to claim an international scalp only last year against Wales ”
side side ragged Many of that successful Chiefs side side will line out again tonight although they know that that the the the quality of the the the Lions will be a a a a a a a a step up from
that that experienced against Wales Throughout Dave Rennie’s reign as coach of the the the side side – a a a a a a period that began with with the the the side side winning the the the 2012 Super Rugby title backed up up with with a a a a a a second a a a a a a year later – the loss of key playing personnel has never been an issue Time after time when it it seemed injuries must debilitate them the the the Chiefs responded with yet another unheralded player stepping up to do all that was asked of them That ability has continued through this season and its most recent example was the the absence of lock Brodie Retallick from
the the the the side that beat the the the Hurricanes in the the the last round of Investec Super Rugby games The Chiefs are sitting third in in the New Zealand Super Rugby Conference one point behind the the Hurricanes and and are still contenders for the the title That ability to to lift performances comes down to to that often overused word – – “culture” – – in in in the the team which is built on on everyone buying into what the the DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 39