Eleven new Chiefs, nine of them coming from within the franchise, were today named in the 2007 Chiefs Rebel Sport Super 14 squad.
Six of the new Chiefs secured their first Super 14-level contracts. These were Aled de Malmanche, Brendon Leonard, Toby Lynn, Dwayne Sweeney, Craig West ‘ all from the successful Waikato Air New Zealand Cup team, and
The other three new Chiefs from within the franchise had all played Rebel Sport Super 14 rugby last year, namely Richard Kahui (Highlanders), Roy Kinikinilau (Highlanders) and Tanerau Latimer (Crusaders).
The remaining two new Chiefs come from the draft – first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea (Blues) and second five-eighth Tane Tu’ipolotu (Hurricanes).
Both players have extensive Super 14 experience.
The 2007 Chiefs squad includes 19 players from the 2006 Chiefs campaign, which finished seventh in last season’s Rebel Sport Super 14.
Chiefs coach
‘We are also delighted with the result of the draft. The loss of David Hill meant we were light on experience in our inside backs. So the presence of Tasesa and Tane, both experienced Rebel Sport Super 14 players at number 10 and 12, boosts our depth in this area.’
Lock Keith Robinson returns to the Chiefs squad this year after a two year absence due to injury. He last played for the Chiefs in 2004 against the Brumbies in the Chiefs’ first Super 12 semi-final.
‘The impact of a fit Keith Robinson has been obvious to everyone through the recent Waikato Air New Zealand Cup campaign. I’m delighted to see him back to play Rebel Sport Super 14 rugby.’
Successful
Meanwhile, Jono Gibbes will captain the Chiefs for the fifth consecutive year.
The Chiefs 2007 squad by positions:
Props:
Ben Castle Prop Bay of Plenty 21 Chiefs games
Simms Davison Prop Bay of Plenty 30 Chiefs games
Craig West Prop
Nathan White Prop Waikato 6 Chiefs games
Hookers:
Aled de Malmanche Hooker/Prop Waikato New Chief
Tom Willis Hooker Waikato 17 Chiefs games
Tight Forwards:
Jono Gibbes (c) Lock/loose forward
Toby
Kristian Ormsby Lock Counties-Manukau 21 Chiefs games
Keith Robinson Lock Waikato 34 Chiefs games
Loose Forwards:
Steven Bates Blindside/No. 8
Marty Holah Openside Waikato 69 Chiefs games
Sione Lauaki Blindside/No. 8
Tanerau Latimer Openside Bay of Plenty New Chief
Liam Messam Blindside/No. 8 Waikato 9 Chiefs games
Halfbacks:
Byron Kelleher Halfback Waikato 33 Chiefs games
Brendon Leonard Halfback
Jamie Nutbrown Halfback Bay of Plenty 11 Chiefs games
First five-eighths:
Stephen Donald First five-eighth
Tasesa Lavea First five-eighth Blues New Chief
Murray Williams First five-eighth
Midfield Backs:
Richard Kahui Midfield Back
Niva Ta’auso Midfield Back Counties-Manukau 9 Chiefs games
Tane Tu’ipolotu Midfield Back Hurricanes New Chief
Wingers/Fullbacks:
Sosene Anesi Wing/Fullback
Roy Kinikinilau Wing
Lelia Masaga Wing Counties-Manukau 3 Chiefs games
Mils Muliaina Fullback Waikato 12 Chiefs games
Sitiveni Sivivatu Wing Waikato 41 Chiefs games
Dwayne Sweeney Utility Back
Anthony Tahana Wing Bay of Plenty 7 Chiefs games
Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu are involved in the All Blacks conditioning programme which will see them unavailable
for selection in the the early rounds of the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 competition.