Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said the Hurricanes had been impressive all season. The Chiefs were in a similar position with a young squad that had been together, accumulating experience and showing good cohesion.
The Hurricanes were playing with confidence.
"If you can string some games together, it certainly helps build your internal belief and confidence in your game, and we've seen plenty of that."
The Hurricanes' set piece used to be an area of vulnerability, but in 2024, it had improved and was now a real weapon for them.
"We always like to think it starts up front, and they're doing a good job of setting a good platform."
The Chiefs sit fourth on the ladder and are coming away from games, finding out a little more about themselves, both good and bad, and this weekend would be no different.
"It's a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against the competition's frontrunners. Whatever comes out of it will be lessons that will put us in good stead for the back end of the season.
Denying the Hurricanes their ability to play off good front foot ball was a key to winning, and McMillan said that was how the Wellington-based side would be looking to deal to the Chiefs.
He said there was little point in focusing on one player because that would leave them exposed elsewhere on the field.
"We're looking forward to this challenge. They've got a strong pack, a powerful pack down there, and it's exciting for us."
McMillan was pleased with Emoni Narawa's starting return last week but said he was still returning to 100 per cent fitness.
"He didn't fully open up [last week] and that's him being a little conservative because we have seen him open at training, maybe we might see that this weekend."
The absence of form halfback Cam Roigard would not be too much of a blow for the Hurricanes because they had the experience of TJ Perenara to call on.
"TJ's an established, experienced halfback, an All Black competitor and a left-footer. They don't actually lose a lot.
"TJ looks like he's come back hungry and he's a little bit of a spiritual hub of the team and has been for a long time. He'll be wanting to go out there and make a statement."
The team would have their bye week after the game, and McMillan said that having had their medical team do an excellent job with nearly all their players available, they could come back and make use of their late bye with a shorter run to the finals.