1. Scrum

The weak scrum can be excused for the moment. Injuries have taken 2 top performers out of action. James McGoogan’s neck isn’t right and big Ben May is only now back in training from injury.

Sona Taumalolo is very strong and good around the paddock but neither Ben Afeaki nor Toby Smith are up to scrummaging at this level. Both are young and no doubt growing from the experience but coach Foster would not have dreamed he would be using these guys as his front line as early as the 4th week of the competition.

Joe Savage from the Bay of Plenty has more experience (and presence) at this level. Samoan International Simon Lemalu from Counties would also be more effective. He was in the Chiefs in 2008 and his exclusion is likely to be down to a choice of blooding young New Zealand players over those aligned with Samoa.

There may have been some arrogance in the front row selections this year. There is always room for a young guy in the mix but the Chief’s current scrummaging record shows that a second rate front line is easily pushed around at this level.

2. Lineout

Hika Elliot is normally reliable but he missed with several key throws against the Bulls.

Unfortunately All Black team mate Aled de Malmanche is worse in this area of the game so this is down to concentration of the whole lineout.

John Pareanga fromt eh Bay of Plenty NPC team is one of the most consistent throwers of the ball in New Zealand rugby. He does not have the field-presence of Elliot or De Malmanche but when are we in New Zealand going to start focusing on hookers who can actually throw the ball in.

3. Dropped ball

It wasn’t just Sione Lauaki this week. Unusually it was All Black Richard Kahui who dropped the ball the most. It was uncharacteristic from the All Black who has been resolute in defense but was the culprit in attack this time.

Dropped ball was one key area against the loss to the Crusaders.

4. General Mental Toughness

The most disappointing aspect is that the Chiefs are packed with talent and work very hard but when it counts most in matches, they are wanting.

Dropped ball, missed opportunities, inconsistent lineout, weak scrum and inability to convert field position.

They do not seem to have gained in collective mental toughness from their semi-final appearance last year in Pretoria.

This has been the theme of the Chiefs’ performances losing 3 out of 4 since their trip to South Africa that started their season on a high.

Good teams don’t let you away with not scoring when hard on attack.

The Chiefs are still a way to go to get to the level of the Crusaders and the Bulls.

They will bounce back and win more games toward the end of the round and they may even make the semi-finals but they will never win a Super 14/15 without addressing the cliched ‘top 2 inches’ – as a team.