New Zealand Super Rugby conference leaders the Chiefs are set to be given a triple boost by the return of three key players.
Centre Richard Kahui, halfback Brendon Leonard and fullback Robbie Robinson all missed the Chiefs trip to South Africa but have been training hard and will be considered for selection this weekend.
Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith says that all three players who have yet to feature this season would all be considered for selection in this weekend's Round 6 match at the Waikato Stadium.
The Chiefs play the Highlanders this weekend and what could count in the trio's favour is that the rest of the team only returned from South Africa on Sunday and had Monday off before the match on Friday.
"We've got some fresh players who didn't come (to South Africa) who have been training their butts off in Hamilton," Smith told APNZ.
"There's a huge competition for selection now, I don't think too many people have really claimed their position yet."
Smith said that the Chiefs coaches had seen training footage of former All Black pair Kahui (shoulder) and Leonard (cheekbone), as well as rising force Robinson (foot and groin) while they were in South Africa.
"We've got a fair idea of how they've been going ... and they're looking pretty good."
Smith added that Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam who was left with a swollen ankle after his 100th match for the Chiefs against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth was looking good.
"I saw him today and he looks good," said Smith.
"He's got no limp or anything. I think he'll be 100 per cent."
Smith said that the Chiefs work at the breakdown wasn't good enough, but said the issues went beyond that.
"There are further concerns, probably. Our physicality one on one - we're a wee bit high both on attack and defence. Our cleanouts are a bit like our defence, we're okay but not exceptional. We've got to address that.
"There is a tendency for the guys to infringe at the breakdown, rather than just back our defence, for example. "
"That's a concern, that's a mindset-attitude thing and we've got to make changes otherwise we're not going to win. It's critical. The main thing is entry (to the breakdown), getting entry legally and keeping your hands off the ball.
"They are pretty simple things."
When asked about the Chiefs short turnaround between the Kings and the Highlanders Smith said that they had faced similar travel challenges before and succeeded.
"We did it last year against the Hurricanes ... and the guys really fronted (in a 33-14 win) so we've just got to make sure we do all the physical things well but we get the attitude and mindset right.
"As coaches we've got to make sure we keep it simple for the players and just front up mentally and physically on Friday."
