Chiefs bring in All Blacks and Under 20s talent to bulk up settled squad
The loss of Damian McKenzie isn’t an easy one to compensate for, but the return of Brodie Retallick and the arrival of Josh Ioane from the Highlanders means the Chiefs will still boast plenty of star power in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific.
Clayton McMillan’s 38-man squad announced for 2022 is a settled one that includes 12 All Blacks and just two players without experience at Super Rugby level: Wellington hooker Tyrone Thompson and Waikato halfback Cortez Ratima.
Thompson burst onto the scene for the Lions during last year’s provincial season, scoring an audacious 50-metre try from the front of a lineout. The 21-year-old rake was selected in the 2020 training squad for the New Zealand Under 20s side and will take the place of former All Black Nathan Harris in the squad, who has retired from the game.
Ratima, meanwhile, is fresh off an NPC title with Waikato and stepped into the No 9 jersey once Chiefs teammate Xavier Roe went down with injury during the season. Despite spending the first half of the year recovering from shoulder surgery and missing the Super Rugby Under 20s tournament in April, Ratima was still selected in this year’s Baby Blacks squad, emphasising the potential of the 20-year-old halfback.
Two players who were short-term replacements for the side last year, loose forward Samipeni Finau and outside back Gideon Wrampling, have also earned full-time contracts for 2022. Finau and Wrampling featured at blindside flanker and inside centre for Waikato in their Premiership win over Tasman on Saturday evening and have both previously been selected in NZ U20s squads.
Otherwise, the arrival of the in-form Ioane and return of Retallick were both announced earlier in the year.
McMillan acknowledged earlier in the season that despite the departure of McKenzie, the Chiefs weren’t on the look-out for a replacement 10, given the presence of Bryan Gatland, Kaleb Trask and Rivez Reihana in the squad – but the opportunity to sign a player of Ioane’s calibre was too good to turn down.
As such, the 24-year-old utility back will look to reignite his All Blacks career in 2022 with the Chiefs, though will face stiff opposition for a starting spot.
Retallick, meanwhile, adds to some already impressive depth in the second row that’s been fostered out of necessity with the club losing so many locks to injury over the past two seasons. Tupou Vaa’i and Naitoa Ah Kuoi have already stepped up in Retallick’s absence while Josh Lord’s elevation to the All Blacks this season means McMillan may actually struggle to find spots in his match-day squad for the team’s second-row riches.
The forward pack as a whole should be an area of strength for the Chiefs in 2022, with Lord, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Aidan Ross all earning All Blacks call-ups this year (although Ross’ may have only be temporary), to join the likes of Angus Ta’avao, Atunaisa Moli, Retallick, Vaa’i, Cane and Jacobson as test players in the pack.
"I’m not too sure I’ve actually been in a changing room that has felt so morbid. It was at that point that I could feel the heavy weight of disappointment and expectation." #SuperRugbyPacific @ChiefsRugby
Clayton McMillan speaks exclusively to RugbyPass.https://t.co/QhwV7YgJD3
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) October 6, 2021
Provided that Moli can stay injury-free, the 26-year-old will be looking to fight his way back into contention for a black jersey in 2022 and his continued signing reinforces how highly he’s viewed within the Chiefs camp.
Questions remain over the potency of the side’s outside backs, given their at times lack of incision this season. However, with Emoni Narawa signed from the Blues and Wrampling more than capable of filling in on the wing, the cohort has certainly been strengthened for next season.
“The thing that sort of sticks out for me is that we’ve got a lot of consistency around the squad that we’ve selected,” McMillan said. “A large percentage of last year’s squad have been retained and it’s been a really easy decision to make based on the progress that we’ve made.
“I feel like keeping this really young, exciting group together will reap reward for us in the near future but we also welcome some exciting new talent to the team who’ll be playing in Super Rugby for the first time.”
McMillan also paid tribute to the late Sean Wainui, who was set to be named in the Chiefs for the fifth consecutive season.
“Sean was such an integral member of the Chiefs team and whanau and it’s going to be really hard for the team that he’s not going to be here physically,” he said, “but we know his presence will always be here and the example that he set as a person, as a trainer and as a legendary Chief will live long beyond my days here at the Chiefs and we’ll be doing everything that we can to honour his legacy.
2022 Chiefs squad:
Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson
Props: Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Atunaisa Moli, Sione Mafileo
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Laghlan McWhannell
Loose forward: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau
Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima
First-fives: Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Kaleb Trask, Rivez Reihana
Midfield: Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling
Outside backs: Shaun Stevenson, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jonah Lowe, Chase Tiatia, Emoni Narawa
2022 Chiefs Transfers:
In: Ioane (Highlanders), Retallick (Japan), Narawa (Blues), Thompson (Wellington), Finau (Waikato), Ratima (Waikato), Wrampling (Waikato)
Out: Joe Apikotoa, Ezekiel Lindenmuth (both Moana Pasifika), Nathan Harris (retired), Lachlan Boshier (Japan), Tom Florence, Zane Kapeli, Liam Messam, Viliami Taulani (England), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Crusaders), Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes), Sean Wainui (deceased), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments