6 Mar 2015

Chiefs go from 'mild mannered to game time beasts'

10:05 am on 6 March 2015

The Chiefs play the Highlanders in Hamilton on Friday and the last loss the Chiefs had was against the Dunedin-based side last season.

That defeat scuppered affected the Chiefs' playoff seedings and Strawbridge says they've learnt a lot from last season.

"We were pretty unhappy with our result last year and the coaches take a lot of the blame for that and we've approached things differently this year," he says.

"There's probably a little more player leadership this year and bit more understanding and how you go from mild mannered man on the street to being a beast at game time and our players are leading that a lot more and taking accountablity for that a lot more."

Strawbridge believes no over confidence will creep into the Chiefs side on the back of their 40-16 troucning of the Crusaders last round.

The Chiefs currently sit at the top of the table alongside the unbeaten Hurricanes.

There'll be no over confidence from the Chiefs after their 40-16 win over the Crusaders says Andrew Strawbridge>

There'll be no over confidence from the Chiefs after their 40-16 win over the Crusaders says Andrew Strawbridge> Photo: Photosport

Strawbridge said the Chiefs haven't overwhelmed teams like that in the past so he doubts the players are expecting to do it again this week.

"We haven't been able to put teams away like that very often and I don't think we are starting to get ahead of ourselves... we're pretty realistic about our abilities and how easy it is for things to turn on a dime."

"Only two years ago we got a hiding from the Crusaders by 50 points and we had to try and turn it around in two weeks and we were able to, so New Zealand teams are able to do that. The Crusaders are good enough to turn it around and the Highlanders are good enough to get up for this week."

Strawbridge says you cannot afford to be off your game in Super Rugby.