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Join Date: Nov 2009
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Chiefs:
Quote:
This year the Waikato based franchise recorded their best ever result in a Super rugby season. All manner of records were achieved, and although they fell short at the final hurdle, with a powerful squad for the season ahead, there is no reason why they cannot be challengers again.
The year included their second ever qualification for the semi finals, their highest ever table finish, a new record set for consecutive wins, their best ever defensive season, and so the list went on.
In fact, had they finished with just one more point in the final standings, they would have finished top of the log and would have potentially hosted the 2009 Super 14 final.
However, that honour went to the Pretoria based Bulls.
The Chiefs, already buoyant (perhaps too much so?) in achieving so much for the year, travelled to Loftus Versfeld in high spirits. They had just beaten a very powerful Hurricanes unit in their first ever semi-final win, and as sports have often demonstrated, it can be difficult for a team to move onto another achievement after completing such a landmark feat.
C’est la vie! (Such is life).
Mils Muliaina and his team encountered a Bulls side with no less than twelve Springboks in their match day 22, in probably the most intimidating venue in world rugby.
They would start strongly with Leila Masaga scoring the first try, clutching the ball out of the air from none other than rugby’s finest aerial technician Victor Matfield. But this would only serve to provoke a frightening response from the 2007 champions, who would over the next 74 minutes score 61 points and eight tries.
It was quite possibly the finest ever performance seen in Super Rugby.
So the Chiefs will view this season with a positive state of mind despite the rude awakening from the cold and efficient South African Bulls.
They know that they can mix it with the best of them, but the key is too approach the new season with the same work ethic and approach that suited them last season. One only has to take a fleeting glance at the other squads to know that at least half of the teams in the 2010 season are capable of threatening for the title; and at least two or three of them are from New Zealand.
But the Chiefs are a consistent group, and despite only reaching the semi finals twice in the 14 years of Super rugby competition, in seven of the tournaments the Waikato based lads have finished in the top six.
Ian Foster, who many believe is on the right track for higher honours as a coach, oversaw a brilliant campaign last year. He also co-coached the Junior All Blacks, and if he could take his flamboyant outfit one step further this year, he would cement his position as one of the leading New Zealand coaches.
A “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” approach will probably be taken, with the region knowing too well that when their open attacking game works, it is difficult to counter.
The real only point of interest will be whether or not the region takes a slightly more conservative slant to their rugby. 2009 highlighted the need for a team to be able to play pragmatic and patient rugby if required, and as the All Blacks themselves discovered early in the year, sometimes all out attack simply cannot work.
But by the same token, Foster will want to abide by the truism that a game plan needs to suit the personal, and when looking at the Chiefs roster, it certainly a team that is designed to play rugby.
The Chiefs have a very local feel about them, only brining in one player – Jarrad Hoeata – in via the New Zealand draft system. Seven new players have been introduced to the team, and many of them, including Counties back Tim Nanai-Williams and Bay of Plenty loose forward Luke Braid, give the squad a more even look.
Up front, there is reasonable depth, with six past or present All Blacks located within the pack, and plenty of promising players, such as tight forwards Romana Graham and Culum Retallick.
Key will be for their forward pack, with some new test players and some experienced heads, to make sure they realise how much work they have to achieve if the Chiefs are to compete in 2010.
Every collection of forwards in the other four New Zealand squads looks immensely capable. When also taking in the pseudo Springbok packs of the Bulls and the Sharks, and the simulated Wallabies forward units of the Brumbies and the Waratahs, it puts into perspective what the young Waikato tight five and back row need to achieve.
Especially if their star studded backline is to be utilised.
Potentially, the Chiefs could wield a full All Black backline, and when adding to this the fact that they again have the services of stalwarts such as Dwayne Sweeney and Callum Bruce, the potential for the 2009 finalists is endless.
Key will be who Ian Foster relies on to play at number ten, with Mike Delany and Stephen Donald both test first five eighths. The question will probably be whether or not an All Black sits on the bench, or whether one of them is shifted to second five.
Of further interest is the fact that Muliaina will miss the opening three weeks of the competition, so it will be interesting to see who covers the second most capped All Black and captain as the competition commences. This period will be crucial, as traditionally the Chiefs struggle in the early stages of the tournament.
Richard Kahui will also be fit and ready for the new season.
The Chiefs will start their season on the road, being thrown straight into the Lion’s den with a match against the Sharks in Durban, followed by the Lions in Johannesburg and the Force in Perth.
They will then return home for their first match in front of the Waikato faithful in round four against the Queensland Reds, before hosting the Canterbury Crusaders.
They then take their bye in week six.
They will travel to play the Brumbies in Canberra, the Highlanders in Mt Manganui, and then host the Stormers and Cheetahs in Hamilton. They travel in week twelve to play the Hurricanes in the capital, before travelling to Sydney to play the Waratahs.
Their last regular match of the season is a derby against old rivals the Blues.
CHIEFS SQUAD FOR 2010 REBEL SPORT SUPER 14
Nathan White***, Ben Afeaki**, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Callum Retallick**, Romana Graham**, Jarrad Hoeata (D)**, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid**, Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga** +, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Jackson Willison, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams**, Mils Muliaina.
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2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 preview: Chiefs | allblacks.com - official site of the All Blacks |