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The Chiefs have to be the most inconsistent team in the Super 14. It has got to the point where they are unsurprising in how surprising that are. If they are good they are brilliant and if they are bad they are woeful. There isn't really any in between. In previous years you might get excited about all of those 'what ifs' but now you know exactly what to think.
Form from 2008
The Chiefs finished 2008 at the bottom of the top in 7th place. Not bad considering the competition but probably the start of a decline especially considering their hat trick of losses to finish the season. Poor form seemed to follow them into the ANZC where they again failed to regain the heights achieved when they won the 2006 cup. For a couple of years the Chiefs have been the masters of the mid-table 6th-8th place finishes and it doesn't look any different for 2009.
Comings and Goings
Every year you see quite a lot of players retire or move on from the Waikato franchise and every year you wonder when that straw will break. If it doesn't snap this year with the departures of front rowers Ben Castle, Craig West, Simms Davison and Tom Willis as well as second rower Kristian Ormsby and Chiefs talisman Jono Gibbes I'll be a monkey's uncle. The Euro drain seems to be really hurting Hamilton- explained by Chris Latham as the most boring city in the Super 14- in a competition that includes Canberra and Bloemfontein. All of those front rowers are experienced and talented, with Tom Willis a former captain, and won't be replaced easily. Its Gibbes, however, who represents the single biggest loss to the Chiefs. Despite being perpetually injured, Gibbes was the last of a generation who defined the culture for the Chiefs in the professional era. The team always seemed to play better when Gibbes was on the field and off-field I'm sure the impact was just as big. The Chiefs have brought in a number of no-names to replenish their forward stocks the only three that raise eyebrows are former Hurricanes lock, hooker and breakaway: Craig Clarke, Hikawera Elliot and Serge Lilo. None of them are super stars but certainly better than nothing.
In the backs inside centre Tasea Lavea, who was forming quite a good combo with Stephen Donald has left to go back to Auckland. Half-back Jamie Nutbrown and speedster Viliame Waqaseduadua have also flown the coup. In a show of absolute desperation the Chiefs have raided the Highlanders stocks to make up the numbers with all of Mike Delany, James Wilson and Toby Morland moving north to Hamilton. It has become a funny tradition in New Zealand these days. The Highlanders scrounge for talent only to have it stolen by Waikato who in turn have it stolen by the heavyweights Auckland, Wellington in Christchurch. Most be frustrating for them. A drinks session between Chiefs, Highlanders, Reds and Cheetahs fans would quickly get pretty depressing.
Players to keep an eye on
With few new exciting young stars entering the scene this year we just have to take a bit of a look at the old exciting stars. Chalking one up for the props, Ben May deserves an honourable mention for his amazing footwork in stepping a winger in ther 2008 Super 14. You're lucky to get a prop with good handling but when he can goose-step like Campese you know your onto a winner. You used to be worried if a giant 120kg was running straight at you and now you have to be worried if he's not. What is the world coming to?
Richard Kahui continued his meteoric rise through representative rugby this year with a handful or games for the All Blacks. While he wasn't anything special on the international stage he is another top backline player for the Chiefs who as always boast some really weaponry back there. Kahui comes in more experienced and probably a lot more confident and if he can stay on the field, will definitely score a fair few tries. Assuming of course that Benny May doesn't beat him to the line.
Prediction for 2009
The Chiefs have a superb back row and some real power in their back three. Taneru Latimer, Sione Lauaki and Liam Messam will form one of the best back rows in the competition and will be lethal both on attack and defense. Out wide Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu are all very dangerous with ball in hand. These guys will thrive on broken play. On the flip side the Chiefs are have a weak pack and an often dysfunctional 10/12 combination. The last three years has seen a lot of talent and experience leave the Chiefs front five. The Waikato boys could be easily shut down by a team like the Bulls who play for the set-piece. Stephen Donald is an embodiment of the word erratic. Like the Chiefs, and probably the reason for this, he is either brilliant or miserable. Against the Force last year he was missing kicks from 15m and just couldn't do anything right. How Donald plays on the day is going to make a big difference for the team. He will really need to keep his head and start really bonding with his likely inside centre, Callum Bruce, so he can take the heat off if Donald isn't firing.
Like I said at the start. The Chiefs are going to be unsurprising in their surprisingness. Same old win well one week and implode the next. Perhaps not as solid as last year with a fair few guys gone but decent at least. I predict 8th.
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