2015 Chiefs (Super Rugby) season
| 2015 season | |||
| Head coach | Dave Rennie | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Captains | Liam Messam Aaron Cruden | ||
| Stadium | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth | ||
| Overall competition | 5th | ||
| N.Z. Conference | 3rd | ||
| Record | Won 10, Lost 7 | ||
| Top try scorer | All: Charlie Ngatai (6) | ||
| Top points scorer | All: Aaron Cruden (93) | ||
| |||
2015 was another tough year for the Chiefs rugby team. They won 10 of their Super Rugby games and finished 5th overall on the table for the 2nd year in a row, and 3rd behind the Hurricanes and Highlanders in the New Zealand Conference. Playing the Highlanders in the qualifying finals in Dunedin was always going to be tough losing 24-14.
Standings
The final standings of the 2015 Super Rugby season were:
| New Zealand Conference | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Hurricanes | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 458 | 288 | +170 | 58 | 31 | 9 | 1 | 66 |
| 2 | Highlanders | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 450 | 333 | +117 | 54 | 40 | 6 | 3 | 53 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 372 | 299 | +73 | 40 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 48 |
| 4 | Crusaders | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 481 | 338 | +143 | 56 | 39 | 8 | 2 | 46 |
| 5 | Blues | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 282 | 428 | −146 | 29 | 50 | 2 | 6 | 20 |
| Overall standings | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Hurricanes | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 458 | 288 | +170 | 58 | 31 | 9 | 1 | 66 |
| 2 | Waratahs | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 409 | 313 | +96 | 50 | 41 | 5 | 3 | 52 |
| 3 | Stormers | 16 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 373 | 323 | +50 | 32 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 45 |
| 4 | Highlanders | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 450 | 333 | +117 | 54 | 40 | 6 | 3 | 53 |
| 5 | Chiefs | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 372 | 299 | +73 | 40 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 48 |
| 6 | Brumbies | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 369 | 261 | +108 | 45 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 47 |
| 7 | Crusaders | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 481 | 338 | +143 | 56 | 39 | 8 | 2 | 46 |
| 8 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 342 | 364 | −22 | 33 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 42 |
| 9 | Bulls | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 397 | 388 | +9 | 37 | 39 | 4 | 6 | 38 |
| 10 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 319 | 354 | −35 | 35 | 42 | 3 | 5 | 36 |
| 11 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 338 | 401 | −63 | 37 | 43 | 3 | 3 | 34 |
| 12 | Cheetahs | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 357 | 531 | −174 | 44 | 65 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| 13 | Reds | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 247 | 434 | −187 | 32 | 53 | 3 | 3 | 22 |
| 14 | Blues | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 282 | 428 | −146 | 29 | 50 | 2 | 6 | 20 |
| 15 | Force | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 245 | 384 | −139 | 28 | 43 | 3 | 4 | 19 |
Results
The following fixtures were released on 18 September 2014:[1]
| Round 1 | 14 February 2015 | Blues | 18–23 | Chiefs | QBE Stadium, Albany | |
| 19:35 | Pen: Ihaia West 5', 29', 38', 45', 59', 71' (6/6) | Report[2] Scoreboard[3] |
Try: James Lowe 12' Bryce Heem 15' Con: Damian McKenzie 13', 16' (2/2) Pen: Damian McKenzie 20', 33', 47' (3/5) Cards: Matt Symons 44' to 54' |
Attendance: 11,100 Referee: Chris Pollock |
| Round 2 | 20 February 2015 | Chiefs | 19–17 | Brumbies | Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth | |
| 17:35 | Try: Charlie Ngatai 15' Con: Aaron Cruden 16' (1/1) Pen: Aaron Cruden 7', 33', 68', 80' (4/4) |
Report[4] Scoreboard[5] |
Try: Ita Vaea 19' Con: Christian Lealiifano (0/1) Pen: Christian Lealiifano 5', 44', 58' (3/3) Nic White 14' (1/2) |
Attendance: 6,985 Referee: Steve Walsh |
| Round 3 | 28 February 2015 | Chiefs | 40–16 | Crusaders | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| 19:35 | Try: Sonny Bill Williams 13' Augustine Pulu 22' Charlie Ngatai 33' Tom Marshall 63' James Lowe 67' Con: Aaron Cruden 23', 34', 68' (3/5) Pen: Aaron Cruden 31', 49', 55' (3/4) Cards: James Lowe 8' to 20' Damian McKenzie 78' |
Report[6] Scoreboard[7] |
Try: Andrew Ellis 45' Con: Colin Slade 46' (1/1) Pen: Colin Slade 3', 8', 26' (3/5) Cards: Matt Todd 21' to 31' |
Attendance: 18,166 Referee: Mike Fraser |
| Round 4 | 6 March 2015 | Chiefs | 17–20 | Highlanders | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| 19:35 | Try: penalty try 48', 57' Con: Aaron Cruden 49', 57' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 5' (1/4) Andrew Horrell (0/1) Cards: James Lowe 78' |
Report[8] Scoreboard[9] |
Try: Patrick Osborne 35' Con: Lima Sopoaga (0/1) Pen: Lima Sopoaga 20', 28', 40' (3/3) Marty Banks 77', 80' (2/2) Cards: Joe Wheeler 46' to 57' |
Referee: Nick Briant |
| Round 5 | 14 March 2015 | Stormers | 19–28 | Chiefs | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | |
| 15:00 | Try: Kobus van Wyk 19' Con: Kurt Coleman 20' (1/1) Pen: Kurt Coleman 15', 23', 35' (3/4) Demetri Catrakilis 63' (1/1) |
Report[10] Scoreboard[11] |
Try: Aaron Cruden 27' James Lowe 48' Sam Cane 71' Con: Aaron Cruden 28', 49' (2/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 5', 40', 60' (3/4) |
Attendance: 42,247 Referee: Jaco Peyper |
| Round 6 | 21 March 2015 | Sharks | 12–11 | Chiefs | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | |
| 19:10 | Pen: Patrick Lambie 3', 32', 40', 60' (4/6) Cards: Bismarck du Plessis 18' François Steyn 28' |
Report[12] Scoreboard[13] |
Try: Sam Cane 34' Con: Aaron Cruden (0/1) Pen: Aaron Cruden 6', 29' (2/3) Drop: Aaron Cruden (0/1) Cards: Hika Elliot 15' |
Attendance: 18,564 Referee: Angus Gardner |
| Round 7 | 28 March 2015 | Chiefs | 37–27 | Cheetahs | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| 16:30 | Try: Michael Leitch 2' Liam Messam 18' Sam Cane 68' Andrew Horrell 76' Con: Aaron Cruden 3', 19', 69', 77' (4/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden 46', 53', 61' (3/3) Cards: Michael Fitzgerald 24' to 35' Ben Tameifuna 32' to 41' |
Report[14] Scoreboard[15] |
Try: Boom Prinsloo 28' Heinrich Brüssow 54', 80' Con: Joe Pietersen 29', 55' (2/2) Willie du Plessis 81' (1/1) Pen: Joe Pietersen 8', 11' (2/3) Cards: Heinrich Brüssow 66' to 76' |
Attendance: 11,610 Referee: Craig Joubert |
| Round 8 | 4 April 2015 | Chiefs | 23–16 | Blues | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| 19:35 | Try: James Lowe 28' Tom Marshall 68' Con: Aaron Cruden 29', 69' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 18', 59', 75' (3/5) |
Report[16] Scoreboard[17] |
Try: Jerome Kaino 47' Con: Daniel Bowden 48' (1/1) Pen: Daniel Bowden 34', 54' (2/2) Ihaia West 81' (1/1) |
Attendance: 14,248 Referee: Mike Fraser |
| Round 10 | 17 April 2015 | Crusaders | 9–26 | Chiefs | AMI Stadium, Christchurch | |
| 19:35 | Pen: Dan Carter 7', 37', 43' (3/6) | Report[18] Scoreboard[19] |
Try: Michael Leitch 21' James Lowe 40' Liam Squire 71' Con: Andrew Horrell 22' (1/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 10' (1/1) Tim Nanai-Williams 19' (1/1) Andrew Horrell 59' (1/2) Cards: Sam Cane 6' to 17' |
Attendance: 14,500 Referee: Nick Briant |
| Round 11 | 24 April 2015 | Chiefs | 35–27 | Force | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| 19:35 | Try: Charlie Ngatai 19' Hika Elliot 39' penalty try 46' Tim Nanai-Williams 66' Con: Marty McKenzie 20', 40', 47' (3/4) Pen: Marty McKenzie 7', 18', 24' (3/3) |
Report[20] Scoreboard[21] |
Try: Angus Cottrell 15' Luke Morahan 56' Matt Hodgson 62' Heath Tessmann 77' Con: Luke Burton 57', 63' (2/4) Pen: Luke Burton 10' (1/1) Cards: Ian Prior 28' |
Attendance: 13,948 Referee: Angus Gardner |
| Round 12 | 2 May 2015 | Rebels | 16–15 | Chiefs | AAMI Park, Melbourne | |
| 19:40 | Try: Scott Higginbotham 18' Nic Stirzaker 39' Con: Jack Debreczeni (0/2) Pen: Jack Debreczeni 6', 35' (2/2) Bryce Hegarty (0/2) |
Report[22] Scoreboard[23] |
Try: Charlie Ngatai 58' Michael Leitch 69' Con: Damian McKenzie 59' (1/2) Pen: Andrew Horrell 23' (1/2) Cards: James Lowe 34' to 45' Liam Messam 75' |
Attendance: 13,023 Referee: Andrew Lees |
| Round 14 | 16 May 2015 | Hurricanes | 22–18 | Chiefs | Westpac Stadium, Wellington | |
| 19:35 | Try: Ma'a Nonu 10', 68' Ardie Savea 46' Con: James Marshall 11', 69' (2/3) Pen: James Marshall 38' (1/1) |
Report[24] Scoreboard[25] |
Try: Charlie Ngatai 40' Sam Cane 75' Con: Damian McKenzie 40' (1/2) Pen: Damian McKenzie 13', 24' (2/3) Cards: Liam Squire 49' to 59' |
Attendance: 17,770 Referee: Glen Jackson |
| Round 15 | 22 May 2015 | Chiefs | 34–20 | Bulls | Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua | |
| 19:35 | Try: Liam Messam 23' Bryce Heem 28' Augustine Pulu 54', 56' Tim Nanai-Williams 80' Con: Damian McKenzie 24', 55', 57' (3/5) Pen: Damian McKenzie 6' (1/2) Cards: Sam Cane 69' to 79' |
Report[26] Scoreboard[27] |
Try: Jan Serfontein 9' Bjorn Basson 13' Lappies Labuschagné 73' Con: Handré Pollard 14' (1/3) Pen: Handré Pollard 16' (1/2) |
Attendance: 13,714 Referee: Chris Pollock |
| Round 16 | 30 May 2015 | Highlanders | 36–9 | Chiefs | Rugby Park, Invercargill | |
| 19:35 | Try: Patrick Osborne 29' Waisake Naholo 44' Richard Buckman 72' Ben Smith 78' Con: Lima Sopoaga 45', 73' (2/4) Pen: Lima Sopoaga 9', 12', 61', 67' (4/5) |
Report[28] Scoreboard[29] |
Pen: Damian McKenzie 18', 51', 58' (3/4) | Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Nick Briant |
| Round 17 | 6 June 2015 | Reds | 3–24 | Chiefs | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | |
| 19:40 | Pen: Quade Cooper 6' (1/2) | Report[30] Scoreboard[31] |
Try: Bryce Heem 25' Liam Messam 32' Charlie Ngatai 69' Con: Andrew Horrell 26', 33', 70' (3/3) Pen: Andrew Horrell 51' (1/2) Cards: Michael Leitch 39' to 49' |
Attendance: 25,841 Referee: Mike Fraser |
| Round 18 | 13 June 2015 | Chiefs | 13–21 | Hurricanes | Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth | |
| 19:35 | Try: Bryce Heem 16' Con: Marty McKenzie 17' (1/1) Pen: Marty McKenzie 27', 31' (2/2) Cards: Tom Marshall 35' to 44' |
Report[32] Scoreboard[33] |
Try: penalty try 35' Conrad Smith 38' James Marshall 54' Con: James Marshall 36', 39', 55' (3/3) |
Referee: Chris Pollock |
| Qualifier | 20 June 2015 | Highlanders | 24–14 | Chiefs | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | |
| 19:35 | Try: Waisake Naholo 24', 43' Con: Lima Sopoaga 44' (1/2) Pen: Lima Sopoaga 6', 57', 66', 80' (4/4) Drop: Waisake Naholo (0/1) |
Report[34] Scoreboard[35] |
Try: Brodie Retallick 60' Con: Andrew Horrell (0/1) Pen: Andrew Horrell 8', 28', 40' (3/5) |
Attendance: 22,500 Referee: Chris Pollock |
Squad
The Chiefs squad for the 2015 Super Rugby season were:
| 2015 Chiefs squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props Hookers Locks |
Loose forwards
Scrum-halves Fly-halves |
Midfield Wingers Fullbacks |
| (c) denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped. Nathan Harris[36] and Tawera Kerr-Barlow[37] were both omitted from the squad after injuries ruled them out for the entire season. |
Player statistics
The Chiefs players' appearance and scoring statistics for the 2015 Super Rugby season are:
| Player | Apps | Tries | Cons | Pens | DGs | Pts | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Allardice | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Brian Alainu'uese | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Johan Bardoul | 8 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sam Cane | 15 | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | 2 | - |
| Mitchell Crosswell | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Aaron Cruden | 8 | 1 | 14 | 20 | - | 93 | - | - |
| Hika Elliot | 15 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | 1 |
| Ross Filipo | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Jarrod Firth | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Michael Fitzgerald | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Hosea Gear | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Mitchell Graham | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Kayne Hammington | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Bryce Heem | 16 | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | - | - |
| Andrew Horrell | 13 | 1 | 4 | 6 | - | 31 | - | - |
| Tevita Koloamatangi | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Michael Leitch | 13 | 3 | - | - | - | 15 | 1 | - |
| Anton Lienert-Brown | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| James Lowe | 11 | 5 | - | - | - | 25 | 3 | - |
| Quentin MacDonald | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Jamie Mackintosh | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pauliasi Manu | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rhys Marshall | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tom Marshall | 14 | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | 1 | - |
| Damian McKenzie | 16 | - | 7 | 9 | - | 41 | 1 | - |
| Marty McKenzie | 6 | - | 4 | 5 | - | 23 | - | - |
| Liam Messam | 14 | 3 | - | - | - | 15 | 1 | - |
| Tim Nanai-Williams | 9 | 2 | - | 1 | - | 13 | - | - |
| Charlie Ngatai | 11 | 6 | - | - | - | 30 | - | - |
| Sean Polwart | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Augustine Pulu | 16 | 3 | - | - | - | 15 | - | - |
| Brodie Retallick | 8 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | - |
| Liam Squire | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 1 | - |
| Matt Symons | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Seta Tamanivalu | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ben Tameifuna | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Siate Tokolahi | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Maama Vaipulu | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Brad Weber | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sonny Bill Williams | 10 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | - |
| penalty try | - | 3 | - | - | - | 15 | - | - |
| Total | 17 | 41 | 29 | 41 | - | 386 | 13 | 1 |
Notes and references
- ^ "SupeRugby Fixtures 2015" (PDF). SANZAR (Press release). 18 September 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
- ^ "Chiefs do enough to beat Blues". SANZAR. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 18–23 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Cruden wins it at the death". SANZAR. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 19–17 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs thump the Crusaders". SANZAR. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 40–16 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Highlanders steal it at the death". SANZAR. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17–20 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs send Stormers to their first defeat". SANZAR. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Stormers 19–28 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "13-man Sharks edge the Chiefs". SANZAR. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Cell C Sharks 12–11 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs accelerate to victory". SANZAR. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 37–27 Toyota Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs win ninth in a row over Blues". SANZAR. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 23–16 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs make a statement against Crusaders". SANZAR. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 9–26 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs top Force in exciting clash". SANZAR. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 35–27 Force". South African Rugby Union. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Rebels stun Chiefs in Melbourne". SANZAR. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Rebels 16–15 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Nonu double sinks Chiefs". SANZAR. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 22–18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs run away from Bulls in Rotorua". SANZAR. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 34–20 Vodacom Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Highlanders re-ignite season with BP win". SANZAR. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 36–9 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Chiefs spoil Genia, Horwill's farewell". SANZAR. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Reds 3–24 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Hurricanes triumph in New Plymouth". SANZAR. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 13–21 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Highlanders move on to semi-finals". SANZAR. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 24–14 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Hika Elliot to rejoin Chiefs" (Press release). Chiefs. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Size returns to create strong Chiefs backline". Waikato Times. Fairfax NZ. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
External links
- Official Chiefs website
- Official Super Rugby website Archived 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- Official Facebook page