CHIEFS 2011
What a difference a year makes. The Chiefs failed to follow up their 2009 success – their best ever season of Super Rugby, being the losing finalists – when they slumped to 11th on the table.
Consistency was once again their biggest problem. They started like a house on fire – beating the Sharks, Lions and Force, for a first-ever unbeaten tour – but then managed just one win in their remaining 10 games.
That sums up what the Chiefs are all about – a huff-and-a-puff, but they can’t blow the house down.
You could say the Chiefs are New Zealand’s biggest disappointment – having failed to translate their domestic success into Super Rugby glory.
The Chiefs highest placing in Super Rugby was second in 2009 – when the Chiefs suffered a humiliating 61-17 hammering at the hands of the Bulls in the Final. The Chiefs made the semifinals for the first time in 2004, then achieved the same in 2009.
The Chiefs achieved sixth placing four times in the competition, first in 1996, then in 1999, later in 2001, in 2005 and most recently in 2007.
The doubts about their consistency remain.
Strengths: When at full strength they boast a potent backline. With Muliaina at fullback, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga on the wings, Richard Kahui at centre, Stephen Donald at No.10 and Brendon Leonard at No.9, they will take some stopping. They also have a very settled squad and a coach now in his eighth year with the franchise.
Weaknesses: Consistency … or rather the lack of it. They have had a tendency to be slow starters in the competition, but last year started with a three-match victory run and then literally dropped out the race. Mental fortitude – or the lack of it – seems to be an issue.
Noteworthy signings: You simply can’t look past the name Tana Umaga – a celebrated former All Black captain and even at the ripe old age of 37 (he’ll turn 38 in May), he has plenty to offer. After a few years with Toulon in France he returned to New Zealand last year and has found a new haven in the Chiefs – having played over 100 Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes before his departure. In all there are eight new Chiefs – Daniel Perrin, Isaac Ross, Hayden Triggs, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Taniela Moa and of course Umaga.
Noteworthy losses: Without doubt the most significant of their losses is veteran All Black loose forward Sione Lauaki, who joined up with French club Clermont Auvergne – following a number of off-field incidents in 2010 that saw him end up in court on assault charges and drunk-driving related transgressions. Add to that Kevin O’Neill (Rebels), Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders), Luke Braid (Blues), Junior Poluleuligaga (Exeter Chiefs) and Callum Bruce (Japanese club Cannon).
Coach: Ian Foster, now in his eighth season as Chiefs coach, has experienced most of the challenges Super Rugby can throw at coaches. He also carries a player’s perspective from three seasons with the Chiefs in their formative years. The career coach took the squad to the 2004 playoffs in his first year and the final two years ago, but a competition title still eludes the Chiefs. There has been a change in the coaching staff from 2009. Keith Robinson’s departure means that Craig Stevenson (forwards) and Scott McLeod (skills) remain as assistant coaches with an additional resource coach to be added.
Captain: Mils Muliaina will be the Chiefs captain for the third season. Muliaina is more than one of the world’s premier fullbacks; he is a class act as leader. Coach Foster speaks highly of his leadership ability and especially of his off-field contribution to the Chiefs.
Potential bolters: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, a 20-year-old, is a mercurial scrumhalf, who moved through the ranks from the 2010 Chiefs wider training group into the Chiefs’ 2011 squad.
2010 Position: 11th
Best finish: 2nd in 2009 (beaten finalists)
Worst finish: 11th in Super 12 in 1996 and Super 14 in 2010
Home Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (capacity 26,350)
2010 Prospects: You may feel that Tana Umaga will be a steadying influence, but somehow they don’t have the look of conference winners. Maybe some upsets along the way?
Chiefs squad: Ben Afeaki, Colin Bourke, Craig Clarke, Aled de Malmanche, Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Hikawera Elliot, Romana Graham, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Ben May, Taniela Moa, Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Daniel Perrin, Culum Retallick, Issac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Toby Smith, Dwayne Sweeney, Sona Taumalolo, Savenaca Tokula, Hayden Triggs, Tana Umaga, Scott Waldrom, Nathan White, Jackson Willison.
Schedule:
19 February: v Brumbies, away
25 February: v Highlanders, away
5 March: v Rebels, home
12 March: v Hurricanes, away
18 March: v Sharks, home
26 March: v Blues, home
1 April: v Waratahs, away
9 April: Bye
15 April: v Crusaders, home
23 April: v Lions, away
30 April: v Bulls, away
7 May: v Highlanders, home
14 May: v Stormers, home
21 May: v Crusaders, away
29 May: Bye
4 June: v Blues, away
10 June: v Hurricanes, home
18 June: v Reds, home
