2015 Chiefs (rugby union) season

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.

Chiefs
2015 season
Head coachDave Rennie
CaptainsLiam Messam
Aaron Cruden
StadiumWaikato Stadium, Hamilton
Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Overall competition5th
N.Z. Conference3rd
RecordWon 10, Lost 7
Top try scorerAll: Charlie Ngatai (6)
Top points scorerAll: Aaron Cruden (93)

Standings

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "SupeRugby Fixtures 2015" (PDF). SANZAR (Press release). 18 September 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Chiefs do enough to beat Blues". SANZAR. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  3. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 18–23 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Cruden wins it at the death". SANZAR. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 19–17 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Chiefs thump the Crusaders". SANZAR. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 40–16 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Highlanders steal it at the death". SANZAR. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17–20 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Chiefs send Stormers to their first defeat". SANZAR. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  11. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Stormers 19–28 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  12. ^ "13-man Sharks edge the Chiefs". SANZAR. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  13. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Cell C Sharks 12–11 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Chiefs accelerate to victory". SANZAR. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  15. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 37–27 Toyota Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  16. ^ "Chiefs win ninth in a row over Blues". SANZAR. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  17. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 23–16 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Chiefs make a statement against Crusaders". SANZAR. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  19. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 9–26 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  20. ^ "Chiefs top Force in exciting clash". SANZAR. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  21. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 35–27 Force". South African Rugby Union. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  22. ^ "Rebels stun Chiefs in Melbourne". SANZAR. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  23. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Rebels 16–15 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Nonu double sinks Chiefs". SANZAR. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  25. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 22–18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  26. ^ "Chiefs run away from Bulls in Rotorua". SANZAR. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  27. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 34–20 Vodacom Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  28. ^ "Highlanders re-ignite season with BP win". SANZAR. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  29. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 36–9 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  30. ^ "Chiefs spoil Genia, Horwill's farewell". SANZAR. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  31. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Reds 3–24 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  32. ^ "Hurricanes triumph in New Plymouth". SANZAR. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  33. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 13–21 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  34. ^ "Highlanders move on to semi-finals". SANZAR. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  35. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 24–14 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  36. ^ "Hika Elliot to rejoin Chiefs" (Press release). Chiefs. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  37. ^ "Size returns to create strong Chiefs backline". Waikato Times. Fairfax NZ. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
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