Chiefs Super 14 season preview: classy backline looks to wreak more havoc

By Greg Clark
Fox Sports rugby commentator
February 04, 2010.

The men from Waikato had a breakthrough year in 2009, reaching the final for the first time.

It was only the second time they’d reached the play-offs, and, while they were no match for the Bulls in the decider in Pretoria, they would have taken a lot of confidence out of their campaign.

Once again, the pressure will be on their forward pack to deliver the goods so the classy backline can create more havoc.

They might not be big names up front, but they didn’t take a backward step last year.

Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer make up a very handy back row, while other All Blacks, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Kevin O’Neill, add plenty of grunt and experience.

If the forwards can gain parity up front, the speedy backline will cause plenty of problems for opposing teams. Mils Muliaina might be missing in the early weeks, they still flyers like Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu outside the likes of Richard Kahui, Steven Donald and Brendon Leonard.

Long-time coach Ian Foster is back for another season, with the chance to go one better in 2010 and join the Crusaders and Blues as the only Kiwi franchises to win a Super Rugby crown.

They have a tough road trip to Durban, Johannesburg and Perth to start their campaign, but they finish with their final seven games on Kiwi soil - including five at home.

Fox Facts: Chiefs

Home ground: Waikato Stadium, Growers Stadium, Rotorua International Stadium
Coach: Ian Foster
Best Super 12/14 finish: Runners-up 2009
Last season: P13 W9 D0 L4 F338 A236 BP9 Pts45 (second)

Squad:

Ben Afeaki, Colin Bourke, Luke Braid, Callum Bruce, Craig Clarke, Aled de Malmanche, Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Hikawera Elliot, Romana Graham, Jarrad Hoeata, Richard Kahui, Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, James McGougan, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina (C), Tim Nanai-Williams, Kevin O'Neill, Junior Poluleuligaga, Culum Retallick, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Sona Taumalolo, Nathan White, Jackson Willison

Gains: Ben Afeaki (North Harbour), Luke Braid (Bay of Plenty)

Losses: Soseni Anesi (New South Wales Waratahs), Serge Lilo (Blues),

Chiefs' Head-To-Head Records

Week 1, v Sharks (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 5, Lost 7 -
In Durban/PortElizabeth: Played 6: Won 2, Lost 4 -

Week 2, v Lions (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 8, Lost 4 +
In Johannesburg/Bloemfontein: Played 6: Won 2, Lost 4 -

Week 3, v Western Force (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 3, Lost 1 +
In Perth: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =

Week 4, v Queensland Reds (home)
H2H: Played 13: Won 7, Lost 6 +
In Hamilton/Rotorua: Played 7: Won 5, Lost 2 +

Week 5, v Crusaders (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 4, Lost 10 -
In Hamilton/Albany: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -

Week 6, Bye

Week 7, v Brumbies (away)
H2H: Played 15: Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 9 -
In Canberra: Played 8: Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 5 -

Week 8, v Highlanders (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 9, Lost 5 +
In Hamilton/Rotorua: Played 7: Won 4, Lost 3 +

Week 9, v Bulls (home)
H2H: Played 13: Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 5 =
In Hamilton/Rotorua: Played 6: Won 5 Drawn 1, Lost 0 +

Week 10, v Stormers (home)
H2H: Played 12: Won 5, Lost 7 -
In Hamilton/Mount Maunganui/Pukekohe/Rotorua: Played 6: Won 3, Lost 3 =

Week 11, v Cheetahs (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 0 +
In Hamilton: Played 2: Won 2, Lost 0 +

Week 12, v Hurricanes (away)
H2H: Played 15: Won 7, Lost 8 -
In Wellington/New Plymouth/Palmerston North: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -

Week 13, v New South Wales Waratahs (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 6, Lost 8 -
In Hamilton/Rotorua/Waikato: Played 7: Won 4, Lost 3 +

Week 14 v Blues (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 6, Lost 8 -
In Auckland/North Harbour: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -