RESURGENT CHIEFS AIMING HIGH
The Chiefs put a barren losing spell behind them to surge all the way to finals footy last year and have the firepower to repeat the feat in 2022.
LAST YEAR: SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA: SECOND SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN: FIFTH The Chiefs started poorly before a successful run took them all the way to the Super Rugby Aotearoa final against the Crusaders and they were just one win off potentially making the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final. LUCK OF THE DRAW: The Chiefs have been given a golden chance to get an early head start with two home games against the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika before a trip to Eden Park to take on the Blues. The Crusaders and Hurricanes will then test the Chiefs resolve on the road. CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: New head coach Clayton McMillan would have learned plenty from the team’s up-and-down season in 2021. He inherited the team from Warren Gatland, who has a new role as director of rugby at the Chiefs. McMillan is looking ahead to the new campaign with quiet confidence. “I think we are one of the teams that has consistency from the 2021 season and that has been entirely deliberate. Although we have some experienced All Blacks, the balance of the squad is quite young but those guys are into their second, third or fourth Super Rugby campaigns. “History tells us if we can get 20 to 30 games under their belt it gives them the sort of experience to be better equipped to deal with playing at this level of the game. It is exciting looking ahead and the depth we have in the forwards in particular is pretty immense.” Losing a player of the calibre of Damian McKenzie will hurt the Chiefs but it gives a chance for one of Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia or Kaleb Trask to own the fullback’s jersey.
Former All Blacks first-five Josh Ioane has joined from the Highlanders. McMillan says he will have to earn a start. “We have other good guys there who are equally desperate to play in the 10 jersey. He has shown a real eagerness to get into a fresh environment. “There is every reason to think he will get himself back into playing the sort of rugby that made him become an All Black.” Without question having All Blacks captain Sam Cane back to lead the Chiefs is hugely important. “In any rugby environment you establish your expectations, values, goals and behaviours. What you need really is a number of people to be the drivers of those standards,” says McMillan. “I have had a fair bit to do with Sam over the years. He is the consummate professional. He is a real follow-me leader, so for a young person coming into the team you can’t help but be inspired by the way Sam conducts himself.
Coach: Clayton McMillan Captain: TBC Home ground: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Website: www.chiefs.co.nz Tickets: www.chiefs.co.nz/game-tickets Contact: PO Box 4292, Hamilton East 3247 Phone 0800 424 4337 Email: info@chiefs.co.nz Chiefs TAB odds: $5.50
“His preparation, his dedication to wanting to improve his game and how he plays the game, plus being a good man off it, are key. We are fortunate at the Chiefs we have a lot of good men who want to do exactly that.” The return of veteran lock Brodie Retallick is another good omen for a successful season for the Chiefs. WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Brodie Retallick (Japan), Emoni Narawa (Blues), Tyrone Thompson (Wellington), Samipeni Finau (Waikato). Backs: Josh Ioane (Highlanders), Cortez Ratima (Waikato), Gideon Wrampling (Waikato). WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Lachlan Boshier (Japan), Kini Naholo (Crusaders), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Moana Pasifika), Viliame Taulani (England), Nathan Harris (retired). Backs: Damian McKenzie (Japan), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Crusaders), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes).
TOP CLASS: Luke Jacobson was a standout player for the Chiefs in 2021.
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CHIEFS
SKILLFUL: Halfback Brad Weber is a key driver of the Chiefs attack.
CHIEFS SQUAD FORWARDS: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Reuben O’Neill, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau. BACKS: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Kaleb Trask, Josh Ioane, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Jonah Lowe, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Chase Tiatia, Shaun Stevenson, Rivez Reihana. SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC 2022
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