Chiefs (Super Rugby)
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This article is about the Super Rugby team. For the
English team, see Exeter Chiefs.
The Chiefs (Māori: Rangatira;[1] formerly known
as the Waikato Chiefs and officially called the
Gallagher Chiefs for sponsorship reasons) are a
New Zealand professional rugby union team
based in Hamilton, Waikato. The team competes
in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, previously
known as the Super 12 and Super 14, and are one
of the competition's five New Zealand teams.
Their primary home ground is FMG Stadium
Waikato.
Chiefs
Union New Zealand Rugby
Union
Founded 1996
Location Hamilton, New Zealand
Region Bay of Plenty
Counties Manukau
East Coast
King Country
Thames Valley
Waikato
Taranaki
Ground FMG Stadium Waikato
(Capacity: 25,000)
Coach Jono Gibbes
Captain Luke Jacobson
Most caps Liam Messam (182)
Top scorer Damian McKenzie (1247)
Most tries Damian McKenzie (43)
League Super Rugby Pacific
2025 1st overall
Playoffs: Runners-up
Team kit 2nd kit
Official website
[Link]
The Chiefs region represents seven provincial
unions: Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Taranaki
and Waikato, who compete in the National
Provincial Championship (NPC), and King Country,
Ngati Porou East Coast and Thames Valley, who
compete in the Heartland Championship.
The Chiefs field three main teams: Chiefs (men's),
who compete in Super Rugby Pacific, Chiefs
Manawa (women's), who compete in Sky Super
Rugby Aupiki and a men's under-20s team.
The Chiefs teams play in red, black and yellow
colours with jerseys in recent years having strong
Māori cultural elements to tie the club to its
region. Māori culture, values and traditions are
also a cornerstone of the club's culture,
implemented during Dave Rennie's time as head
coach and continued by current head coach
Clayton McMillan.[2]
Until 2004, the Chiefs were the only New Zealand
side never to have qualified for the Super 12 semi-
finals. In that year the Chiefs earned their first
semi-final berth, and in the end achieved fourth
place (defeated 37–20 in the semi-final by the
ACT Brumbies). They subsequently reached the
2009 final, but found themselves on the short end
of a record 61–17 defeat by the Bulls.
The Chiefs were rewarded with a home final after
a strong 2012 season. The Chiefs defeated the
Sharks 37–6, winning their first title. In 2013, the
Chiefs became the fourth team to record back-to-
back title wins, when they defeated the Brumbies
27–22 at Waikato Stadium.
In 2021 the Chiefs Rugby Club established their
women's team, formerly known as the Chiefs
women, now the Chiefs Manawa. The Chiefs
Manawa won the inaugural season of Sky Super
Rugby Aupiki in 2022 and were runner-up in the
competition in 2023 and 2024.
In the history of Super Rugby, they were on the
losing end of the three most lopsided finals in
history, losing by 44 points to the Bulls in 2009,
31 points to the Blues in 2024 and 55 points to
the Hurricanes in 2026.
History
The Chiefs were founded in 1996 as the Waikato
Chiefs for the inaugural Super 12 season in 1996.
Prior to the Super 12, the Super 10 competition
had been in place, which NPC teams took part in,
including Waikato. In the first year of competition
the Chiefs placed 6th in the overall standings,
missing out on making the finals; winning 6 of
their 11 regular season matches. The following
season the Chiefs placed 11th, winning 4 games
and losing 7. In 1998 the Chiefs performed closer
to the standard of their 1996 season and placed
at 7th in the final standings. In 1999 the side were
able to do one better and claimed 6th position on
the ladder but were still yet to make the playoffs.
In 2000 the Chiefs won 3 of their regular season
games and finished the regular season in 10th
place. The following season the team equalled
their best position again – finishing 6th. In 2002
the team won 4 games and lost 7 to finish in 8th
position, and the season after, 2003 Super 12
season, fell to a 10th-place finish. But the season
after, the Chiefs won 7 regular season games and
came 4th on the ladder – claiming the first semi-
final spot in their history. The Chiefs lost the semi-
final against the Brumbies. In 2005 the team
finished 6th. In 2006, the Super 12 expanded to
the Super 14, with the addition of a new Australian
and South African club. The Chiefs won 7 of their
13 games and drew once with 5 losses to come
7th. In 2009, the Chiefs made their second ever
semi-final, defeating the Hurricanes 14 – 10 to
advance to the final for the first time. They lost
the final to the Bulls by the biggest-ever margin of
61–17. In the 2010 and 2011 seasons, they were
unable to replicate their form of 2009, missing the
playoffs in both seasons.
In 2012, following the disappointing results of
previous years, the Chiefs underwent a significant
change in personnel. This included the
recruitment of new coaches, including Dave
Rennie and Wayne Smith, and players, including
Aaron Cruden, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick
and Sonny Bill Williams. The changes had an
immediate impact as the Chiefs finished at the top
of the New Zealand conference, qualifying for a
home semi-final, which they won, defeating the
Crusaders 20–17. They subsequently hosted the
final for the first time in the teams's history,
comprehensively defeating the Sharks by 37 – 6,
claiming their first title. They also set many club
records in the 2012 season, including: most home
wins, best home streak, best season winning
streak, and most points and tries scored.[3]
In 2013, the Chiefs again won the Super Rugby
title and the New Zealand conference with a
regular-season record of 12 wins and four losses.
They also won the BNZ Cup, a new trophy
established by the NZRU for the New Zealand
side with the best record in intra-conference
matches.
In 2016 the Chiefs played a touring Wales side,
winning the one-off encounter 40–7. In doing so
they became the first New Zealand Super Rugby
franchise to defeat an international team.[4]
In 2017 the Chiefs played the British and Irish
Lions side in Hamilton, losing the encounter 34–6.
In the regular season, they finished 3rd in the NZ
conference and 6th overall, putting them through
to the playoffs. They won a thriller quarter final
against the Stormers in Cape Town (17–11) but
lost in the semi-finals to the Crusaders (27–13)
In 2018 the Chiefs finished 3rd in the NZ
conference and 5th overall. This result put them
through to the quarter-finals, in which they lost a
tight battle against the Hurricanes (32–31)
The Chiefs didn't have a great start to the 2019
season, losing 4 games straight off the bat,
including a loss to the Sunwolves (30–15).
However, the Chiefs redeemed themselves by
defeating the Bulls 56–20 and going on to win
more. They ended up finishing 3rd in the NZ
conference and 7th overall, which put them
through to the quarter-finals. However, the Chiefs
would lose to the Jaguares 21–16 in Buenos Aires
After 7 rounds in 2020, the Chiefs were 3rd in the
NZ conference and 5th overall. However, the
COVID-19 pandemic suspended the 2020 Super
Rugby season from going ahead, for travel and
health reasons. Despite this, NZRU created a
domestic Super Rugby tournament called Super
Rugby Aotearoa, which started in June 2020. The
Chiefs played well but didn't win a single game in
Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020.
The Chiefs lost their first 2 games of Super Rugby
Aotearoa in 2021, and then got their first win in
the competition against the Hurricanes (35–29).
In the 2023 season, the Chiefs won 13 of the 14
regular season matches, going on to host the
Crusaders at FMG Stadium Waikato for their first
home final since 2013. The Crusaders however
remained the Super Rugby Pacific champions
winning 25–20.
Franchise area and ownership
Franchise area
Since 1999, the Chiefs have represented the
provincial unions of Bay of Plenty, Counties
Manukau, King Country, Thames Valley and
Waikato.
From 1996 to 1998 the Chiefs also represented
North Harbour and Northland, with Counties
Manukau and Thames Valley falling under the
Auckland Blues catchment. Had the Blues been
allowed to represent the Auckland, North Harbour,
Counties Manukau and Northland unions, they
would have been able to field almost a full national
team due to player contracting rules at the time.
In an effort by the NZRU to make things more fair,
the Chiefs were given North Harbour and
Northland, while the Blues were given Counties
Manukau and Thames Valley. By 1999, clear
regional dominance of national team players no
longer existed, so North Harbour and Northland
were 'returned' to the Blues in exchange for
Counties Manukau and Thames Valley.
Taranaki was originally part of the Hurricanes from
1996, but switched to the Chiefs in 2013.[5]
East Coast was also originally part of the
Hurricanes from 1996, but as of February 2025
announced they had switched to the Chiefs.[6]
Ownership
The Chiefs are a wholly owned subsidiary of the
NZRU. However, in an effort to bring more capital
into the sport, the NZRU established a system of
privatised operation in 2013. In 2014, it was
announced that a new entity, 'Chiefs Rugby Club
Limited Partnership', had been established, with
the NZRU granting the newly formed company a
seven-year licence, until the end of the 2020
season, to operate the club. Chiefs Rugby Club
itself is 50% owned by the provincial unions within
the Chiefs' catchment and 50% by a group of
private investors.
Grounds
New Moun
Hamilton Rotorua Pukekohe
Plymouth Maunga
Mercu
FMG Rotorua Navigation
Stadium Baypa
Stadium International Homes
Taranaki Stadiu
Waikato Stadium Stadium
and Are
Capacity: Capacity: Capacity: Capacity: Capac
25,000 26,000 26,000 12,000 19,80
Development team
The Chiefs have fielded a development team in
competitions such as the Pacific Rugby Cup and
in matches against other representative teams for
several seasons. Known as the Chiefs
Development XV or the Chiefs Taua, the squad is
selected from the best emerging rugby talent in
the Chiefs catchment area and is composed of
Chiefs contracted players, wider training group
members, under 20s, and selected club players.[7]
[8]
Honours
Super Rugby (1996–present)
Champions (2)
2012, 2013
Runners-up (4)
2009, 2023, 2024, 2025
Playoffs Appearances (15)
2004, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Super Rugby Aotearoa Runners-up (1)
2021
New Zealand Conference Champions (2)
2012, 2013
BNZ Cup Winner (2)
2013, 2014
Brisbane Global Tens
Champions (1)
2017
Records and achievements
Season standings
A season-by-season summary of Chiefs regular
season results is shown below:
Super
Super Super
Super Super Super Rugby
Rugby Rugby
12 14 Rugby Trans
Aotearoa Pacific
Tasman
Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts
1996 6th 11 6 0 5 291 269 +22 4 28
1997 11th 11 4 0 7 272 295 −23 3 19
1998 7th 11 6 0 5 279 291 −12 5 29
1999 6th 11 5 0 6 248 301 −53 6 26
2000 10th 11 3 0 8 257 352 −95 8 20
2001 6th 11 6 0 5 301 330 −29 4 28
2002 8th 11 4 0 7 323 341 −18 8 24
2003 10th 11 2 0 9 257 274 −17 9 17
2004 4th 11 7 0 4 274 251 +23 5 33
2005 6th 11 5 1 5 272 250 +22 6 28
2006 7th 13 7 1 5 325 298 +27 6 36
2007 6th 13 7 1 5 373 321 +52 10 40
2008 7th 13 7 0 6 348 349 −1 6 34
2009 2nd 13 9 0 4 338 236 +102 9 45
2010 11th 13 4 1 8 340 418 −78 8 26
2011 10th 16 6 1 9 332 348 −16 6 40*
2012 1st 16 12 0 4 444 358 +86 8 64*
2013 1st 16 12 0 4 458 364 +94 10 66*
2014 5th 16 8 2 6 384 378 +6 8 44
2015 5th 16 10 0 6 372 299 +73 8 48
2016 6th 15 11 0 4 491 341 +150 7 51
2017 6th 15 12 1 2 433 292 +141 7 51
2018 5th 16 11 0 5 463 368 +95 5 49
2019 7th 16 7 2 7 451 465 −14 4 36
2020 5th 6 4 0 2 194 128 +66 3 19
2020 5th 8 0 0 8 155 212 −57 5 5
2021 2nd 8 5 0 3 187 230 −43 0 20
2021 5th 5 4 0 1 170 111 +59 3 19
2022 3rd 14 10 0 4 453 348 +105 5 45
2023 2nd 14 13 0 1 487 261 +226 7 59
2024 4th 14 9 0 5 486 311 +175 7 43
2025 1st 14 11 0 3 550 319 +231 7 51
Notes
^1 Teams were awarded four points for a bye during the
Super Rugby seasons from 2011 to 2013. Each team took
two bye rounds each season. These additional 8 points
are included in their season points tally.
^2 All matches after Round 7 were cancelled. the season
remained incomplete and no champion was awarded.[9]
^3 Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as a stand-in
replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New
Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin
competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four
teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked
team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures.[10][11]
^4 Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted the same format in
2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with the
addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at
the conclusion of the round robin stage.[12]
^5 Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover
competition between the teams involved in Super Rugby
Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU. Each team from Super
Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa
once, and vice versa. A final was played between the top
two seeded teams at the conclusion of the round robin
matches.[13][14]
Results per opposition
Chiefs Super Rugby results vs different opponents
[1]
Super Rugby
Opposition Span Played Won Dr
Blues 1996–2025 44 25
Crusaders 1996–2025 51 22
Highlanders 1996–2025 42 24
Hurricanes 1996–2025 47 21
Brumbies 1996–2025 32 15
Force 2006–2025 16 14
Rebels 2011–2024 11 10
Reds 1996–2025 30 17
Waratahs 1996–2025 29 15
Bulls 1996–2019 23 13
Cheetahs 1997–2017 11 7
Lions 1996–2018 20 13
Sharks 1998–2019 23 12
Southern Kings 2013–2016 2 2
Stormers 1996–2019 22 12
Jaguares 2016–2019 4 2
Sunwolves 2017–2020 4 3
Fijian Drua 2022–2025 4 3
Moana Pasifika 2022–2025 7 7
Overall 1996–2025 422 237
Updated to: 2 June 2025
Current squad
For player movements before and during the 2026
season, see List of 2025–26 Super Rugby transfers
§ Chiefs.
The squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific
season is:
2026 Chiefs squad
Props Loose Midfielders
Sione forwards (centres)
Ahio Kaylum Kyle
Boshier Brown
George Jahrome Lalakai
Dyer Brown Foketi
Benet Daniel
Kumeroa Samipeni Rona
Ollie Finau
Quinn
Norris Luke Tupaea
Jacobson
Reon
Reuben (c)
Paul WTG[D]
O'Neill Simon
Outside
Jared Parker
backs
Proffit Wallace
Sititi Leroy
Keran
Carter
van Staden Michael
WTG[A]
Loft WTG[C] Liam
Coombes-
Hookers Halfbacks Fabling
Taine (scrum-
Isaac
Kolose halves) Hutchinson
Brodie Cortez Etene
McAlister Ratima Nanai-Seturo
[E]
Xavier
Samisoni Roe Emoni
Taukei'aho [F]
Te Narawa
Tyrone Toiroa Kyren
Thompson Tahuriorangi Taumoefolau
Locks First five- Daniel
Naitoa eighths (fly- Sinkinson
WTG[G]
Ah Kuoi halves)
Josh Tepaea
Lord Cook-Savage
Fiti Sa Josh
Jayden Jacomb
[B]
Sa Damian
Tupou McKenzie
Vaa'i
Aisake
Vakasiuola
(c) denotes the team captain.
Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for New
Zealand on residency or dual nationality.
WTG
denotes a wider training group member.
denotes an injured player.
A. ^ Promoted from wider training group
ahead of Round 16.[15]
B. ^ Ruled out for the season through injury
in April 2026.[16]
C. ^ Promoted from wider training group
ahead of Round 11.[17]
D. ^ Promoted from wider training group
ahead of Round 9.[18]
E. ^ Ruled out for the season through injury
in June 2026.[19]