'How do we know that Warren's not involved?': How the Chiefs have bounced back from their horror season
In the space of a month, Clayton McMillan has taken the Chiefs from an 11-match losing streak to within sniffing distance of a spot in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
In 2020, the Chiefs failed to record a win in the same competition, while they also started off this year with two losses and suffered a defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes in the final match of last year’s pre-COVID Super Rugby season.
Fittingly, it was against the Hurricanes that they broke their duck, recovering from a 19-point deficit to record a 35-29 win in Round 4 of this year’s competition. They’re now flying high, fresh off a win over the table-topping Crusaders and sitting on a four-game winning streak.
McMillan has taken over as interim head coach with Warren Gatland predisposed with this year’s British and Irish Lions tour, and many have suggested that the former Wales coach may not be welcomed back into the Chiefs region, given the poor results the side suffered throughout last year.
That would be an unproductive way of thinking, former All Black James Parsons has suggested on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
While he may no longer be in New Zealand, nobody outside the team knows whether Gatland is still having an influence on the side and while the wins are stacking up this season, they weren’t exactly well off the pace last year either.
“I don’t think it’s Warren Gatland and Clayton McMillan last year and then it’s all different this year,” said Parsons. “I still think they’re a team and they would have come up with a plan together and they’re a united force. I don’t see it as two separate entities, I still think they’re together and that will continue on next year once they’re back.
“How do we not know that they’re not connecting? How do we know that Warren’s not involved? We don’t know, we’re not in there. He could be playing a big role, we’ve just got no clue. He might not be playing any role, he could be having Zoom meetings with players, leadership groups, he could be doing all sorts that we don’t know.
“We’d only know if they told us, but there’s no way they’re going to tell us. We’re guessing. And I don’t think it’s a problem they mind us discussing, because we’re discussing it because they’re going so well.
“What I would say is, speaking to Sam Cane, he said he felt like last year they were that close on so many of these results, there wasn’t a lot in it. Whereas this year, the tide’s turned on a few fifty-fifty calls that’s sort of changed their luck a little bit. And they’ve grown confidence. Once that luck turned in that Hurricanes game, the belief starts and that’s how it’s sort of changed.
“I don’t think there’s a hell of a lot, structurally, but so much of it is mental and that belief and that energy that comes from it and they’ve just stuck to their guns a little bit.”
In Wellington, the Crusaders quickly dealt to the Hurricanes. They weren't so efficient against the Chiefs on Saturday. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvCRUhttps://t.co/8VCaLuHpcI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 20, 2021
Bryn Hall, a member of the defeated Crusaders side from Saturday evening, also suggested that the Chiefs had taken some time to find their feet under the new Gatland reign but that were now coming good, a year down the track.
“I think it was always going to happen, I think we talked about it earlier in the year, around we thought they were doing some really good things even though they hadn’t gotten the results, they were playing some really good footy and it only one game, really, for them to get their mojo back,” Hall said. “They’re adapting. Last year, with Warren Gatland, they were in that middle stage of having a new coach and not having an identity and trying to figure out what Chiefs rugby looks like with a new coach.
“They just seem like they’ve got their tactics right this year. They’ve won four games in a row … Their kicking options from Damo have been great. The different types of kicks have been putting teams under pressure. They’ve had different phase play shapes which have been successful in previous weeks.
“I think they’re just marrying up really well and … they’re a proud team and it wasn’t going to be long, all they needed was a bit of luck.”
As Hall alluded to, even in their opening match of the season, when they built a 20-6 lead but eventually succumbed 39-23 to the Highlanders, there were signs that 2021 could be a promising season for the Waikato side.
If it weren’t for the magic of superstar left wing Jona Nareki, who scored or set up four of the Highlanders tries, the game could have ended very differently.
“I still believe that first game of the year, even when they lost, the quick 22s, the quick tap nature, the clean-outs, the brutal force game that we saw and I said ‘Look I don’t want to compare them to 2012, 2013’ but there were reflections of that,” Parsons said. “Now that they’re getting their set-piece sorted, there’s very much that flavour to it.
“I think we saw that again the other night and yep, Brad Weber’s said they’d like to win it by more and not leave it to the last minute, but they’re winning games, they know how to win games because they’re fighters and that’s what they’ve built themselves around.”
Under Davie Rennie's first two years in charge, the Chiefs played 20 matches that were decided by seven points or fewer, winning 15. Contrast that with 2020, when the Chiefs lost all six of their close encounters. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvCRUhttps://t.co/Ma6dVWbJ7H
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) April 19, 2021
Despite not wanting to throw Gatland to the wolves, Parsons acknowledged that new man McMillan does need some praise for the success the Chiefs have had in 2021 – especially after they started the year with two losses, which could have set the team down a dangerous path.
“Clayton does need to have a big pat on the back because, under pressure [in] those first two games, everyone was like ‘Oh he’s been thrown a dud, he’s been thrown a hospital pass’. And at no one point did he blink. He just stayed calm.
“Even when they’ve started going well, yeah he’s shown some emotion when they’ve won a close game, as you should, but he still stays calm and he’s onto the next job the next week and I think that’s why they want to play for him and there’s a good solid foundation there between leaders and coaches.”
The Chiefs’ sit one point clear of the Blues on the Super Rugby Aotearoa ladder with the two sides set to play each other in two weeks’ time. It’s highly likely that the winner of that match will play in the Crusaders in the grand final, but a win against the Hurricanes this Friday could make things a lot easier for the Chiefs.
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
A very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to comments