A win-less pre-season

A win-less pre-season hasn't dented the confidence of halfback Brendon Leonard and his Chiefs team-mates.

The Chiefs went down 17-12 to the Hurricanes in Rotorua yesterday afternoon in their final warm-up match before heading to South Africa tomorrow for the start of the Super 14 rugby season.

The defeat followed losses to the Highlanders and Blues but Leonard said the Chiefs weren't far off the pace.

"It was another solid hit-out for us in the Rotorua heat," Leonard said.

"We're steadily making improvements and heading in the right direction."

Hurricanes utility back Tamati Ellison opened the scoring for the visitors with an unconverted try yesterday before Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer struck back with a try based on strong work from the home side's forwards with captain Sione Lauaki prominent.

Stephen Donald converted to put the Chiefs in front but the Hurricanes regained the lead before the break when Scott Waldrom crossed to give the visitors a 10-7 halftime advantage.

Lauaki continued to have an impact on the encounter when his try put the Chiefs back in the lead but the Hurricanes nabbed victory through an intercept try from flanker Karl Lowe that was converted by Aaron Cruden.

"We still need to sort out a few changes in the ruck laws," Leonard said.

"There'll be some traditional Chiefs rugby combined with playing a bit tighter."

The Chiefs face the Sharks in Durban next Sunday morning (NZ time) and Leonard said the players realised they had to improve.

"We shouldn't worry about the win-loss ratio from pre-season. But we've got to make sure that when we get on the plane on Sunday we're ready for the competition to start – we need to up the ante."

"We're traditionally slow starters but we can't do that this year."

The good news for Ian Foster's side was that they emerged from their pre-season campaign with no serious injuries.

"It's pretty important to have your whole squad available," said Leonard, who played about 60 minutes as all squad members got game time.

The Chiefs finished runner-up in last year's competition and Leonard admitted they would be a hunted side this year.

"We can't rely on what we did last year.

"We have got to get better every year, and in every game. Teams will try to step up and have us as a benchmark game."

- © Fairfax NZ News