Fiji-born Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa and the Chiefs will aim to keep the pressure on competition leaders the Hurricanes when they face the Otago Highlanders tonight, as the Super Rugby Pacific playoff race intensifies.
Sitting five points behind Hurricanes with three regular-season rounds remaining, the second-placed Chiefs have already secured a finals berth but remain focused on challenging for top spot.
Finishing first would guarantee a home grand final, and after back-to-back away losses, Jono Gibbes’ side will be eager to bring the championship decider to Waikato Stadium.
A bonus-point win over Jamie Joseph’s seventh-placed Highlanders would strengthen their push, though the Chiefs may still require additional strong results and for the in-form Hurricanes to drop points in their final three matches.
The Hurricanes also face a demanding finish, beginning with a trip to Eden Park to meet third-placed Auckland Blues on Saturday.
Australia’s teams remain on the fringes of the top-four battle, with the fifth-placed ACT Brumbies on a bye and the Queensland Reds two points behind them ahead of their clash with the Western Force on Saturday.
The Chiefs will play the Highlanders at 7.05 tonight.
In other matches, the Fijian Drua men will play the Waratahs at 4.35pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva while the Blues will take on the Hurricanes at 7.05pm Saturday, and the Force will meet the Reds at 9.35pm.
