The Chiefs are certainly the team for any neutral watching Super Rugby this season.
Williams can inspire Waikato franchise
The Chiefs are certainly the team for any neutral watching Super Rugby this season.
Their brand of rugby is high risk, although not always high reward. However what you get from them is generally exciting and innovative.
The Chiefs finished a modest 10th last season and will be hoping for a little more consistency this time around. They might find this in World Cup surprise package Aaron Cruden, who stepped up quite magnificently in the All Blacks triumph. They will be hoping he can form a deadly partnership with rugby's 'most talked about man' Sonny Bill Williams.
SBW's surprise move from the Crusaders to the erratic Chiefs might just complement the all-action dual code superstar. His unique off-loading and gung-ho style of play suits the Chief's game.
Potentially his partnership with All Black Richard Kahui could be a major factor in helping the Chiefs push for a play-offs spot.
The Chiefs biggest threat will be their counter-attacking options, boasting the likes of Tim Nanai-Williams and Lelia Masaga in their back three. Opposition teams will be aware of this threat and will have to ensure their kicking options are precise at all times.
However question marks still remain over the strength of their pack. A largely inexperienced group will rely heavily on captain Liam Messam to lead from the front. However the influential leader looks likely to miss the opening game due to injury.
With a very capable half back pairing of Brendan Leonard and new signing Cruden, we could see the Chiefs improve on last year's ranking. Expect loads of extravagant tries, a leaky defence and maybe a just a few more wins.
Sale Sharks coach - and former Chief - Tony Hanks' verdict
They seem to have had another successful pre-season and appear fit and ready. However, so often this has been the case but has never transferred itself into early season form.
If they can get a good start this time around, it'll give these 'confidence players' all the belief in the world.
Dave Rennie, when he coached both Manawatu and NZ Under-20s, played with a lot of width which will suit the attacking options he has at hand.
Questions have always been raised over the effectiveness of the forwards and it will be interesting to see how Rennie's tight-five options get along.
Traditionally the Chiefs have always opted for a workman like front five, however this year they appear to have picked players who are 'rugby playing' tight forwards. It remains to be seen whether they can find that balance.
There are threats throughout, but Richard Kahui could be the standout performer. Injuries have hampered his All Black career, but if he can stay fit he could well emulate the heroics of his 2006 season which saw him as the best 13 in New Zealand at the time.
It could be a mid-table finish for the Chiefs as they might need a season to gel under Rennie's guidance. You could see them beating some of the top teams, but expect a few hiccups along the way too.
Prediction: 9th
Tony Hanks' prediction: Mid-table
Tony Hanks' player to watch: Sam Cane - the 20-year-old loose-forward made his Super Rugby debut last year and has impressed since then. He could get more of a run this season and will be an exciting prospect for the Chiefs.
