Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan admits he and his squad have been frustrated this week, but they are embracing the challenges presented by professional sport in a COVID-19 era.
The Super Rugby Aotearoa finalists were due to host Melbourne Rebels in Hamilton on Saturday, but a statewide lockdown across the Tasman has forced a schedule change.
The game will now be played at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, a long way removed from fortress FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
The change means a near three-week stint in Australia for the Chiefs, who fell victim to Queensland Reds in a high-scoring thriller at Townsville last weekend.
They will remain in Sydney next week, with their final Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixture scheduled for next Saturday night against the Waratahs.
For McMillan, who acknowledges chances of contesting the final have evaporated, it's been a tough week, but with a solid plan in place for the next fortnight, he wants his side to finish the campaign on a high.
"It's unfortunate that we weren't able to get home and play in front of our fans,” he says. “We have really loved playing in Hamilton this year and we are really keen to make that a fortress.
"It's been tough for a large portion of the week, not knowing if we were staying in Townsville or coming home, or flying to Sydney, so that was a real frustration.
"But I guess that's COVID-19 at its best, and we must adapt and move on."
"We now know what the next couple of weeks looks like and the boys have really gotten into their work.
"Less than ideal, but you have to roll with the punches and make the most of the situation, and not use that as an excuse for an average performance."
The 40-34 loss last weekend was riddled with ill-discipline, mistakes and lazy defence.
The Chiefs spent 20 minutes of the game with just 14 men - and six minutes with 13 - after star playmaker Damian McKenzie was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Reds halfback Tate McDermott.
Trailing 40-8 midway through the second half, the Chiefs rallied, scoring 26 unanswered points, but couldn't finish off what would have been the most remarkable of comebacks.
But for McMillan, the scoreline didn't reflect how bad his side played and he is demanding better this weekend.
"I expect a bounce-back performance this week. We didn't do ourselves any favours last week and paid the price.
"It turned pear-shaped quickly, and it was admirable how we were able to fight back at the end and play some good rugby, but it didn't feel good after the game.
"We have to be better."
Join us at 3:30pm Sunday for live updates of the Chiefs v Rebels Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash
