The Chiefs are one of New Zealand’s entrants in the Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa tournaments. Officially known as the Gallagher Chiefs for sponsorship reasons and formerly known as the Waikato Chiefs, the team is based in Hamilton. The Chiefs have been hugely successful over the years and, in 2013, they even recorded back-to-back titles for the first time ever.
Read on to discover even more about Chiefs Rugby. On this page you can read about the history of the side and see their upcoming fixtures and latest results.
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The Chiefs are one of New Zealand’s entrants in the Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa tournaments. Officially known as the Gallagher Chiefs for sponsorship reasons and formerly known as the Waikato Chiefs, the team is based in Hamilton. The Chiefs have been hugely successful over the years and, in 2013, they even recorded back-to-back titles for the first time ever.
Read on to discover even more about Chiefs Rugby. On this page you can read about the history of the side and see their upcoming fixtures and latest results.
Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Aotearoa 
Super Rugby Trans Tasman Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Trans Tasman | Round 7 | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | BP T | BP -7 | BP | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-  Sharks | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 213 | 153 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
-  Crusaders | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 189 | 105 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
-  Brumbies | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 115 | 93 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
-  Blues | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 134 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
-  Chiefs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 194 | 128 | 66 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
-  Stormers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 94 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Jaguares | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 169 | 135 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
-  Hurricanes | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 168 | 135 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Rebels | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 166 | 160 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
-  Reds | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 219 | 176 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
-  Highlanders | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 91 | 163 | -72 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
-  Bulls | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 152 | -37 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
-  Waratahs | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 214 | -110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
-  Lions | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 109 | 200 | -91 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
-  Sunwolves | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 101 | 292 | -191 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Round 7 |
|---|
| - Sharks |
| - Crusaders |
| - Brumbies |
| - Blues |
| - Chiefs |
| - Stormers |
| - Jaguares |
| - Hurricanes |
| - Rebels |
| - Reds |
| - Highlanders |
| - Bulls |
| - Waratahs |
| - Lions |
| - Sunwolves |
The Chiefs were founded in 1996 in time for the inaugural season of the Super 12 (which is now known as Super Rugby). Although the team was competitive immediately, they struggled to make much of an impact in the competition. In fact, the Chiefs Rugby team did not reach the knockout phase of the tournament until the 2004 season, when they finished fourth and then lost to the Brumbies in the semi-final. The team then returned to mediocrity before they made their first-ever final in 2009. However, they were beaten by the Bulls.
Finally, the team made a breakthrough in the 2012 season when they finished at the top of the league standings before beating the Sharks in the final. The next season, the team’s good run of form continued and they clinched back-to-back titles when they beat the Brumbies. These remain the only two titles in the history of Chiefs Rugby. However, the side have qualified for the knockout phase of Super Rugby in every season since their 2013 triumph.
In recent years, the Chiefs Rugby team have also taken on a couple of touring international sides. In 2016, they comprehensively beat a touring Wales side 40-7 and became the first New Zealand Super Rugby franchise to defeat an international team. A year later, they were beaten 34-6 by a touring British and Irish Lions team in Hamilton.
Ollie Norris Prop 
Ezekiel Lindenmuth Prop 
Aidan Ross Prop 
Bradley Slater Hooker 
Paula Ngauamo Hooker 
Nathan Harris Hooker 
Samisoni Taukei'aho Hooker 
Angus Taavao-Matau Prop 
Atu Moli Prop 
Joe Apikotoa Prop 
Reuben O'Neill Prop 
Josh Iosefa-Scott Prop 
Sione Mafileo Prop 
Naitoa Ah Kuoi Lock 
Tupou Vaai Lock 
Laghlan McWhannell Lock 
Pita Sowakula Flanker 6 
Sam Cane Flanker 6 
Luke Jacobson Flanker 6 
Mitch Karpik Flanker 6 
Lachlan Boshier Flanker 6 
Mitchell Brown Flanker 6 
Samipeni Finau Flanker 6 
Kaylum Boshier Flanker 6 
Zane Kapeli Flanker 7 
Tom Florence Flanker 7 
Liam Messam Number 8 
Simon Parker Number 8 
Gideon Wrampling 
Stan van den Hoven 
Josh Lord 
Xavier Roe Scrum half 
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi Scrum half 
Brad Weber Scrum half 
Viliami Taulani Fly Half 
Bryn Gatland Fly half 
Sekope Lopeti Moli Left Wing 
Etene Nanai-Seturo Wing 
Rameka Poihipi Centre 
Alex Nankivell Centre 
Anton Lienert-Brown Centre 
Bailyn Sullivan Centre 
Jonah Lowe Centre 
Quinn Tupaea Centre 
Sean Wainui Centre 
Chase Tiatia Wing 
Shaun Stevenson Fullback 
Damian McKenzie Fullback 
Kaleb Trask Fullback 
Rivez Reihana Fullback Although the Chiefs are a young rugby franchise, several international stars have played for the team. Internationally-capped players who have represented Chiefs Rugby include Sam Cane, Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie.
At present, the Chiefs Rugby squad is as strong as ever. Due to this, it features international players such as Angus Ta'avao, Nathan Harris and Tupou Vaa'i.
