Pressure is also on bottom-of-the-table sides, the Crusaders (1 point), the Queensland Reds, Fijian Drua and Force, who are still to post their first points.
Moana Pasifika have brought back their most experienced hands to take on the Western Force in Pukekohe on Friday.
Only injured fullback William Havili will be missing from the side that secured an opening round win over the Fijian Drua. His place is taken by Glen Vaihu, who will have his first start at fullback.
Utility back Tevita Latu, 27, should make his DHL Super Rugby Pacific debut after appearing in NPC sides, Southland, Northland and Canterbury, while loose forward Tupou Afungia first made his mark in American Major League rugby and for Tonga in Test rugby.
Prop Abraham Pole will follow Havili in playing his 50th game for the side.
Coach Tana Umaga said, “We’re going out to South Auckland in Pukekohe, where a lot of us have some personal connections. We’re looking forward to it.
“We love coming home, and we love the support of our people. We can’t wait to get out there.”
All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard will have his first start for the Hurricanes in Lautoka against the Fijian Drua on Saturday.
Due to injury to Brett Cameron last week and Ruben Love’s unavailability, Callum Harkin will start at first five-eighths. Josh Moorby has moved to fullback, while Bailyn Sullivan will move to the wing, allowing Billy Proctor and Jordie Barrett to pair up in the midfield. Another five-eighths option, Lucas Cashmore, will have the chance to make his debut from the bench.
Assistant coach Bryn Evans said after their first-up win, they are looking forward to the challenge in Fiji.
“It’s an awesome place to go and play rugby, the support they have and the conditions they play in. It’s quite different to what you’ll get anywhere else. We’re looking forward to getting on the plane and ripping into it.”
As a lineout coach, Evans said the injection of lock Warner Dearns into the side, with his more than 2m of height, has been great.
“But he’s not only working in the lineout, it’s his work rate around the field – he was there as a link, playing with the ball, his collisions. He’s been working hard on them to be aggressive for us and he did well.”
While happy to have started well after missing the first week due to the bye, Evans said they need to back up their performance, not only this week but for the season.
Chiefs assistant coach Marty Bourke said All Blacks five-eighths Damian McKenzie has returned to training after his paternity leave, and a decision on his return to game will be made when an assessment of his preparedness for the season is completed. Loose forwards Samipeni Finau and Wallace Sititi have recovered from injuries and are in contention for selection.
Up against their old rivals, the Crusaders, they noticed how the ACT Brumbies performed at the weekend in their win in Christchurch, and the Chiefs are sure the Crusaders will have been working on the lessons from their game.
At the same time, the Chiefs have not been entirely happy with their performance in their first two games.
“We’ve scratched out the results, but we haven’t played Chiefs rugby properly yet. We’re looking to tidy up some of those areas. We’re always happy winning, but we think there’s a lot of growth in our game.”
They could be braver with the ball, he said.
“We’re doing conservative pretty well. We’re playing at the right end of the field, but we’re letting opportunities slip that we’ve historically backed with our skill sets.
“It’ll be a good challenge for us. There’s no better team to do it against.”
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said the error rate, forced or unforced, was disappointing against the ACT Brumbies.
“We were making too many, and we’re a better side than that.”
The Brumbies were a good enough side to capitalise on the errors.
“We’re a good side too and we’ve got an opportunity on Saturday to prove that.”
Removing the errors and building confidence will be important to get their first win on the board.
“I’m confident that the calibre of this group, their determination; they’re proud men, they’ll want to rectify it. It’s clear to everyone that it’s not quite happening at the moment.”
Improving their lineout is one area they will work on with an emphasis on the areas they can control.
“If we get that right, all of a sudden, we’re up at 75-80 per cent. And there are probably 30 per cent of those controllables we can get better at.
“If you’re operating at 85-90 percent you’re going pretty well as a lineout group.
We’re nowhere near that at the moment but we can make a shift quickly and I’m confident in the group and the way in which they are operating to make the changes there.”
Penney said the Chiefs had been consistently the best team in the competition in recent years.
“They’re the benchmark around pool play. They’re dangerous on attack and they’re physical and dangerous in defence. We can’t focus on one element too much because we’ll end up getting stung in another area.”
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said minimal changes were made to the side ahead of the Queensland Reds in Brisbane because they are performing well enough to win games, and created a lot and played enough rugby to beat the Chiefs last week. With a win and a loss against last season’s finalists, they are aware they have to keep the tension on opponents for 80 minutes.
The Queensland Reds at home have been a bogey team for the Highlanders, and their internationals are returning this week.
“We’ve only won four times over there in the last 30 years, so we know what sort of challenge it’s going to be and, in a short week, keeping the guys going is probably the most important thing for us.”
They have a six-day turnaround and have to deal with the heat and travel to Brisbane.
“That’s kind of what Super Rugby is about. It’s about utilising all your members when you can while maintaining performance.
“What I’m proud of is that even in the last minute, the players fought away to get a bonus point, and those are good signs.
Adam Lennox has the starting role at halfback, while Will Stodart will rotate with Oliver Haig at lock.
Also playing in Australia are the Blues, who will meet the high-flying ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
The game will see captain and flanker Dalton Papali’i post his 100th game for the side, which is boosted by the return of lock Sam Darry from a concussion break, while Ofa Tu’ungafasi will start on the loosehead prop in tandem with Kurt Eklund starting at hooker.
Coach Vern Cotter has noted the ACT Brumbies strong start to the season, especially their win over the Crusaders in Christchurch at the weekend.
“They will be tough competitors, particularly at home, but we are up for the challenge.
“Winning collisions and staying in the game for 80 minutes is key for us. We’ve shown improvements across the first two weeks and we can go a lot further.
