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Cooper's Chiefs on the rise - Super Rugby 2019 Preview
In the next installment of our 15-part build-up to the season, we look at the Chiefs in the New Zealand conference.
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Colin Cooper’s Chiefs will be hoping for a healthy 2019 and will be looking to push for a third Super Rugby title after enduring a tumultuous 2018 campaign.
The Chiefs learned plenty about themselves in 2018 as injury ravaged the side. Despite missing several key players for significant amounts of time during the season, the Chiefs still made the play-offs for the seventh consecutive year, bowing out to the Hurricanes in Wellington 32-31 during the quarterfinal stage.
Reaching the play-offs last year – and finishing with the second best win-loss record in the competition – was an impressive feat for a side that went through more than most, losing 100 caps of All Black experience in the off-season and losing every prop from their original 38-man squad at some point of the season.
These factors put plenty of pressure on head coach Colin Cooper in his first season at the helm, but Cooper turned that pressure into diamonds when he unearthed All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe and revitalised the careers of fellow All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao and cast-aside outside back Sean Wainui – the latter again shaping as important cogs in the Chiefs machine.
The 2019 season will be all about steadying the ship and building on newfound depth in hopes of another play-off run. Strength still remains in a pack led by All Blacks star Brodie Retallick and a strong front row but once again, everything will be centred around the man in the No. 10 shirt, Damian McKenzie.
In his first three seasons of Super Rugby, McKenzie starred as a human Swiss Army knife while operating from fullback, often topping the charts in tries scored, run metres and line breaks as well as points.
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Last year saw McKenzie shift to first five-eighth (No.10) full-time where he was eventually named SANZAAR’s Super Rugby Player of the Year for the third successive time. With that experience under his belt, the Chiefs should be able to take another step forward in 2019.
McKenzie’s elite ability with ball in hand and continually refined skill as a playmaker makes the Chiefs a threat to score whenever they have the ball, and his presence alone will make sure the side remains a contender.
Another year in the saddle will only make the side better as McKenzie continues to forge a partnership with halfbacks Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Brad Weber, with the former likely to see an increased role after becoming an All Black at the end of 2018.
The 2018-19 off-season was kinder to the Chiefs than the year prior, with key losses including the aforementioned Tu’inukuafe, longtime leader and loose forward Liam Messam and midfielders Johnny Fa’auli and Charlie Ngatai.
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Perhaps the biggest loss the side suffered came in the form of co-captain Sam Cane. The veteran All Blacks loose forward broke his neck in October and will at best feature at the tail end of the season.
However, the loss of Cane could prove to be a big gain for another player – just like the loss of almost every prop last season found two new All Blacks in Tu’inukuafe and Ta’avao – with emerging loose forwards Mitchell Karpik and Lachlan Boshier ready to put their respective hands up. Second-year forward Luke Jacobson will also be pushing for a starting spot on the blindside after a few long months away from the game through injury, as will the versatile Taleni Seu.
While plenty of experience has been lost once more, some of the exciting youth stepping into the side will give fans a sigh of relief and a reason to be hopeful in 2019.
23-year-old Reuben O’Neill – a member of the 51-man All Blacks squad that toured Japan – joins an enviable propping core that will be aided by the return of All Black Atu Moli, who missed all but one match last year after complications with a quad haematoma.
The biggest question will be who joins Anton Lienert-Brown in the midfield, though the Chiefs have added a couple of players who can fill the role admirably.
Former Rebels playmaker Jack Debreczeni joins the side after a resurgent season with Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup and provides versatility across the backline and a booming punt, while Auckland back Tumua Manu is a sound addition to the midfield after a strong provincial campaign.
Former New Zealand Under-20 representative Bailyn Sullivan joins the squad full-time after making his debut last season to further bolster the backline, and 21-year-old Alex Nankivell shapes as another candidate to fill the midfield role after missing the 2018 season through injury.
All eyes will be on the highly-touted former schoolboy sensation Etene Nanai-Seturo, who steps up to Super Rugby after a stint with the New Zealand Sevens team and a few cameo appearances for Counties Manukau. 19-year-old Nanai-Seturo has an aura of X-Factor around him and will likely link up with last year’s breakout star, Solomon Alaimalo, and Shaun Stevenson in the back three to complete an exciting young backline.
The Chiefs will remain one of the competition’s best in 2019 led by Damian McKenzie and Brodie Retallick in what could be a temporary swansong and will be pushing hard for a finals place in Colin Cooper’s second year in charge. Cooper has also notably expanded his already impressive staff to include former Chief Roger Randle, who helped transform Waikato into a Championship-winning attacking threat in 2018.
The New Zealand conference will be tougher this year with the Blues making strides and the Hurricanes and Crusaders a consistent threat, but with one of the best young cores in Super Rugby, the Chiefs definitely look fit to contend in 2019.
2019 Predictions
New Zealand Conference Placing: Third
Player of the Year: Damian McKenzie
Rookie of the Year: Etene Nanai-Seturo
Breakout Player: Mitchell Karpik
Best Signing: Reuben O’Neill
Super Rugby Placing: Semifinalists
Franchise History
Best finish: Champions in 2012 and 2013
Worst finish: Eleventh in 2010
Squad Movements
In: Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki), Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato), Jack Debreczini (Rebels), Tumua Manu (Blues), Ataata Moeakiola (Japan), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau).
Out: Mitchell Graham (Taranaki), Sam Prattley (Sunwolves), Jeff Thwaites (Bay of Plenty), Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues), Dominic Bird (Racing 92), Matt Matich (Northland), Liam Messam (Toulon), Jesse Parete (Taranaki), Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau), Johnny Fa’auli (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Charlie Ngatai (Lyon), Regan Verney (Northland), Levi Aumua (Blues), Tim Nanai-Williams (Clermont), Declan O’Donnell (Waikato), Toni Pulu (Brumbies).
Squad: Kane Hames, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Tyler Ardron, Laghlan McWhannell, Michael Allardice, Fin Hoeata, Mitchell Brown, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jonathan Taumateine, Damian McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Jack Debreczeni, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan, Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Ataata Moeakiola, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie.
Comments on RugbyPass
I think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
3 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
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