Getting back on a winning horse will be the goal for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday.

After their loss to the Reds in New Plymouth last week, co-captain Sam Cane said getting a win was a requirement this week as the last two weeks of the regular season would determine who finished first and second on the ladder.

While a battle with Hurricanes' loose forward rival Ardie Savea would not happen due to his All Blacks' rest requirement, Cane said there was a chance they would meet sometime during the playoffs, which would be a more critical contest than they might have had on Saturday.

Cane missed last week's game against the Reds as he was on his rest, and while there had been some frustration with the loss, he said the rest required of All Blacks was beneficial.

"I feel as good as I ever have at this time of the season. You certainly notice it not having played at the weekend. You've got bundles of energy at the start of the week. It shows in all the GPS data, you're running further and faster and you've got a spring in your step so touch wood the body stays that way."

Cane said while Savea means a lot to the Hurricanes, they would need him firing over the next few weeks, so it was logical to give him a rest now.

Coach Clayton McMillan said the loss to the Reds reinforced the requirement to be at your best no matter the opposition. But, unfortunately, small margins applied to the competition, and when their desperation and effort levels slipped, the Chiefs paid the price.

But it was not a mortal blow if they learned from the loss and adjusted ahead of meeting the Hurricanes.

Having lock Brodie Retallick, centre Anton Lienert-Brown, utility back Alex Nankivell and first five-eighths, Josh Ioane was also timely at the latter end of the campaign.

But they have lost five-eighths Bryn Gatland for five months due to a bicep tear.

While most of the squad have completed All Blacks rest requirements, lock Tupou Vaa'i is due a break, and although first five-eighths Damian McKenzie is not part of the All Blacks demands, McMillan wanted to have a rest soon.

Chiefs v Hurricanes: Saturday 20 May, 7.05pm NZT, FMG Stadium Waikato.