‘I respect Damian’: How Canes plan to stop ‘world-class’ Chiefs players

Midfielder Jordie Barrett is confident that the Hurricanes are ready to manage the Chiefs’ “world-class” players in their top-of-the-table clash this weekend.

The Chiefs started their season with an opening round demolition of title holders the Crusaders, and they haven’t looked back since.

Spurred on by star playmakers Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber, the Hamilton-based outfit have taken the competition by storm – winning all six of their matches so far.

While their form this season has been nothing short of flawless, the Chiefs were bumped off the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings in round seven.

During their bye week, the Hurricanes recorded a 29-14 win over New Zealand rivals the Highlanders – and leapfrogged the former competition frontrunners into first place.

The result sets up a titanic battle between two fierce North Island rivals on Saturday afternoon.

Coming up against a team with plenty of talent including the likes of Damian McKenzie, Hurricanes star Jordie Barrett said the Canes have “to be wary of the threat they pose.”

“I know it sounds cliché but we have systems that we try and cover teams with throughout the season,” Barrett said on The Platform.

“But when there’s individuals that have their fingerprints all over their game, you’ve got to be wary of the threat they pose.

“We’ll have certain things we’ll want to try and do to Damian, and also just limit his opportunity.

“You can prep where you want for world-class players but whether you like it or not, they’ll find ways to get into the game.

“I respect Damian and his game, and he’s been outstanding this year.

“I think we’ve got a decent plan for the Chiefs this weekend and I guess time will tell.”

For the Hurricanes, they’ve got a point to prove after being pinned with the “underdogs” tag by former All Blacks backrower Steven Bates.

They’ve only lost one match this season, and that was a thriller against the Blues at Sky Stadium. But now is their opportunity to stake their championship credentials against the mighty Chiefs.

“We’ve got some great leaders and some great players around me in this team,” he added.

“We all share the load and take a lot of responsibility now.

“The luxury we have here at the Canes now there’s some world-class players in a lot of different positions and we’ve got a lot of depth.”

The highly anticipated New Zealand derby between the Hurricanes and Chiefs set to kick off at 2.35pm NZST at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.