Having experienced the effects of the Drua playing at home last year, McMillan knows what they are capable of and regards them as one of the most improved sides in 2023.
"They look fitter, they look clear on how they want to play the game and are blessed with athletes and have pushed every team they have come up against to the wire, and have won some big games too. So, you take them lightly at your peril."
Those athletes have brought a new dynamic to the competition.
But the Chiefs will go into the game without two key loose forwards, co-captain and flanker Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson.
McMillan said Cane and Jacobson were not considered as they were following concussion protocols after knocks suffered last, while halfback Brad Weber has a break which would allow Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi playing time from the bench.
Weber had shouldered the most significant load of the halfbacks this season, so the start will be with Cortez Ratima.
Lock Josh Lord and mid-fielder Gideon Wrampling had worked hard to return from knee injuries, putting in their work while the rest of the squad were involved in the Bunnings Cup campaigns last year. They have both been named on the bench.
At the halfway stage of their season, McMillan gave the side a pass mark for their unbeaten run.
"We've won lots of games in different ways. We've shown some good ability to come out in the second half and make some shifts. We've worked hard for each other and shut teams out. Sometimes we've won ugly and other times, we have won our way and scored some attractive tries.
"So, the goal is to try and put that together in one performance, which is what we try hard to do every time we take the field.
"I'm also aware we don't need to be playing our perfect game right now. We're happy that we're banking points and winning, but we're realistic about where we're actually at. We've got heaps of growth but it's about getting to the backend of the season and performing at our best then."
MATCH DETAILS: Chiefs v Fijian Drua, Friday 21 April, 7.05pm NZT, FMG Stadium Waikato. TICKETS.