2015 Chiefs (rugby union) season

Last updated

Chiefs
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 competition5th
N.Z. Conference3rd
RecordWon 10, Lost 7
Top try scorerAll: Charlie Ngatai (6)
Top points scorerAll: Aaron Cruden (93)
← 2014 2016 →

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.

Contents

Standings

The final standings of the 2015 Super Rugby season were:

Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Conference
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Hurricanes 161402458288+17058319166
2 Highlanders 161105450333+11754406353
3 Chiefs 161006372299+7340274448
4 Crusaders 16907481338+14356398246
5 Blues 163013282428−14629502620
Overall standings
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hurricanes 161402458288+17058319166
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs 161105409313+9650415352
3 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers 161015373323+5032352145
4 Flag of New Zealand.svg Highlanders 161105450333+11754406353
5 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chiefs 161006372299+7340274448
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies 16907369261+10845216547
7 Flag of New Zealand.svg Crusaders 16907481338+14356398246
8 Flag of South Africa.svg Lions 16916342364−2233412242
9 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls 16709397388+937394638
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rebels 16709319354−3535423536
11 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks 16709338401−6337433334
12 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs 165011357531−17444654226
13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds 164012247434−18732533322
14 Flag of New Zealand.svg Blues 163013282428−14629502620
15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Force 163013245384−13928433419

Results

The following fixtures were released on 18 September 2014: [1]

Round 114 February 2015 Blues 18–23 Chiefs QBE Stadium, Albany  
19:35Pen: Ihaia West Rugby penalty.svg 5', 29', 38', 45', 59', 71' (6/6)Report [2]
Scoreboard [3] 		Try: James Lowe Ru ball.svg 12'
Bryce Heem Ru ball.svg 15'
Con: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 13', 16' (2/2)
Pen: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 20', 33', 47' (3/5)
Cards: Matt Symons Yellow card.svg 44' to 54'		Attendance: 11,100
Referee: Chris Pollock
Round 220 February 2015 Chiefs 19–17 Brumbies Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth  
17:35Try: Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 15'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 16' (1/1)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 7', 33', 68', 80' (4/4)		Report [4]
Scoreboard [5] 		Try: Ita Vaea Ru ball.svg 19'
Con: Christian Lealiifano (0/1)
Pen: Christian Lealiifano Rugby penalty.svg 5', 44', 58' (3/3)
Nic White Rugby penalty.svg 14' (1/2)		Attendance: 6,985
Referee: Steve Walsh
Round 328 February 2015 Chiefs 40–16 Crusaders Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Sonny Bill Williams Ru ball.svg 13'
Augustine Pulu Ru ball.svg 22'
Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 33'
Tom Marshall Ru ball.svg 63'
James Lowe Ru ball.svg 67'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 23', 34', 68' (3/5)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 31', 49', 55' (3/4)
Cards: James Lowe Yellow card.svg 8' to 20'
Damian McKenzie Yellow card.svg 78'		Report [6]
Scoreboard [7] 		Try: Andrew Ellis Ru ball.svg 45'
Con: Colin Slade Rugby penalty.svg 46' (1/1)
Pen: Colin Slade Rugby penalty.svg 3', 8', 26' (3/5)
Cards: Matt Todd Yellow card.svg 21' to 31'		Attendance: 18,166
Referee: Mike Fraser
Round 46 March 2015 Chiefs 17–20 Highlanders Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: penalty try Ru ball.svg 48', 57'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 49', 57' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 5' (1/4)
Andrew Horrell (0/1)
Cards: James Lowe Yellow card.svg 78'		Report [8]
Scoreboard [9] 		Try: Patrick Osborne Ru ball.svg 35'
Con: Lima Sopoaga (0/1)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 20', 28', 40' (3/3)
Marty Banks Rugby penalty.svg 77', 80' (2/2)
Cards: Joe Wheeler Yellow card.svg 46' to 57'		Referee: Nick Briant
Round 514 March 2015 Stormers 19–28 Chiefs Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
15:00Try: Kobus van Wyk Ru ball.svg 19'
Con: Kurt Coleman Rugby penalty.svg 20' (1/1)
Pen: Kurt Coleman Rugby penalty.svg 15', 23', 35' (3/4)
Demetri Catrakilis Rugby penalty.svg 63' (1/1)		Report [10]
Scoreboard [11] 		Try: Aaron Cruden Ru ball.svg 27'
James Lowe Ru ball.svg 48'
Sam Cane Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 28', 49' (2/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 5', 40', 60' (3/4)		Attendance: 42,247
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Round 621 March 2015 Sharks 12–11 Chiefs Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
19:10Pen: Patrick Lambie Rugby penalty.svg 3', 32', 40', 60' (4/6)
Cards: Bismarck du Plessis Red card.svg 18'
François Steyn Red card.svg 28'		Report [12]
Scoreboard [13] 		Try: Sam Cane Ru ball.svg 34'
Con: Aaron Cruden (0/1)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 6', 29' (2/3)
Drop: Aaron Cruden (0/1)
Cards: Hika Elliot Red card.svg 15'		Attendance: 18,564
Referee: Angus Gardner
Round 728 March 2015 Chiefs 37–27 Cheetahs Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
16:30Try: Michael Leitch Ru ball.svg 2'
Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 18'
Sam Cane Ru ball.svg 68'
Andrew Horrell Ru ball.svg 76'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 3', 19', 69', 77' (4/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 46', 53', 61' (3/3)
Cards: Michael Fitzgerald Yellow card.svg 24' to 35'
Ben Tameifuna Yellow card.svg 32' to 41'		Report [14]
Scoreboard [15] 		Try: Boom Prinsloo Ru ball.svg 28'
Heinrich Brüssow Ru ball.svg 54', 80'
Con: Joe Pietersen Rugby penalty.svg 29', 55' (2/2)
Willie du Plessis Rugby penalty.svg 81' (1/1)
Pen: Joe Pietersen Rugby penalty.svg 8', 11' (2/3)
Cards: Heinrich Brüssow Yellow card.svg 66' to 76'		Attendance: 11,610
Referee: Craig Joubert
Round 84 April 2015 Chiefs 23–16 Blues Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: James Lowe Ru ball.svg 28'
Tom Marshall Ru ball.svg 68'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 29', 69' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 18', 59', 75' (3/5)		Report [16]
Scoreboard [17] 		Try: Jerome Kaino Ru ball.svg 47'
Con: Daniel Bowden Rugby penalty.svg 48' (1/1)
Pen: Daniel Bowden Rugby penalty.svg 34', 54' (2/2)
Ihaia West Rugby penalty.svg 81' (1/1)		Attendance: 14,248
Referee: Mike Fraser
Round 1017 April 2015 Crusaders 9–26 Chiefs AMI Stadium, Christchurch  
19:35Pen: Dan Carter Rugby penalty.svg 7', 37', 43' (3/6)Report [18]
Scoreboard [19] 		Try: Michael Leitch Ru ball.svg 21'
James Lowe Ru ball.svg 40'
Liam Squire Ru ball.svg 71'
Con: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 22' (1/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 10' (1/1)
Tim Nanai-Williams Rugby penalty.svg 19' (1/1)
Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 59' (1/2)
Cards: Sam Cane Yellow card.svg 6' to 17'		Attendance: 14,500
Referee: Nick Briant
Round 1124 April 2015 Chiefs 35–27 Force Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 19'
Hika Elliot Ru ball.svg 39'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 46'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 66'
Con: Marty McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 20', 40', 47' (3/4)
Pen: Marty McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 7', 18', 24' (3/3)		Report [20]
Scoreboard [21] 		Try: Angus Cottrell Ru ball.svg 15'
Luke Morahan Ru ball.svg 56'
Matt Hodgson Ru ball.svg 62'
Heath Tessmann Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Luke Burton Rugby penalty.svg 57', 63' (2/4)
Pen: Luke Burton Rugby penalty.svg 10' (1/1)
Cards: Ian Prior Red card.svg 28'		Attendance: 13,948
Referee: Angus Gardner
Round 122 May 2015 Rebels 16–15 Chiefs AAMI Park, Melbourne  
19:40Try: Scott Higginbotham Ru ball.svg 18'
Nic Stirzaker Ru ball.svg 39'
Con: Jack Debreczeni (0/2)
Pen: Jack Debreczeni Rugby penalty.svg 6', 35' (2/2)
Bryce Hegarty (0/2)		Report [22]
Scoreboard [23] 		Try: Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 58'
Michael Leitch Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 59' (1/2)
Pen: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 23' (1/2)
Cards: James Lowe Yellow card.svg 34' to 45'
Liam Messam Yellow card.svg 75'		Attendance: 13,023
Referee: Andrew Lees
Round 1416 May 2015 Hurricanes 22–18 Chiefs Westpac Stadium, Wellington  
19:35Try: Ma'a Nonu Ru ball.svg 10', 68'
Ardie Savea Ru ball.svg 46'
Con: James Marshall Rugby penalty.svg 11', 69' (2/3)
Pen: James Marshall Rugby penalty.svg 38' (1/1)		Report [24]
Scoreboard [25] 		Try: Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 40'
Sam Cane Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 40' (1/2)
Pen: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 13', 24' (2/3)
Cards: Liam Squire Yellow card.svg 49' to 59'		Attendance: 17,770
Referee: Glen Jackson
Round 1522 May 2015 Chiefs 34–20 Bulls Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua  
19:35Try: Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 23'
Bryce Heem Ru ball.svg 28'
Augustine Pulu Ru ball.svg 54', 56'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 24', 55', 57' (3/5)
Pen: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 6' (1/2)
Cards: Sam Cane Yellow card.svg 69' to 79'		Report [26]
Scoreboard [27] 		Try: Jan Serfontein Ru ball.svg 9'
Bjorn Basson Ru ball.svg 13'
Lappies Labuschagné Ru ball.svg 73'
Con: Handré Pollard Rugby penalty.svg 14' (1/3)
Pen: Handré Pollard Rugby penalty.svg 16' (1/2)		Attendance: 13,714
Referee: Chris Pollock
Round 1630 May 2015 Highlanders 36–9 Chiefs Rugby Park, Invercargill  
19:35Try: Patrick Osborne Ru ball.svg 29'
Waisake Naholo Ru ball.svg 44'
Richard Buckman Ru ball.svg 72'
Ben Smith Ru ball.svg 78'
Con: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 45', 73' (2/4)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 9', 12', 61', 67' (4/5)		Report [28]
Scoreboard [29] 		Pen: Damian McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 18', 51', 58' (3/4)Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Nick Briant
Round 176 June 2015 Reds 3–24 Chiefs Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane  
19:40Pen: Quade Cooper Rugby penalty.svg 6' (1/2)Report [30]
Scoreboard [31] 		Try: Bryce Heem Ru ball.svg 25'
Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 32'
Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 26', 33', 70' (3/3)
Pen: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 51' (1/2)
Cards: Michael Leitch Yellow card.svg 39' to 49'		Attendance: 25,841
Referee: Mike Fraser
Round 1813 June 2015 Chiefs 13–21 Hurricanes Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth  
19:35Try: Bryce Heem Ru ball.svg 16'
Con: Marty McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 17' (1/1)
Pen: Marty McKenzie Rugby penalty.svg 27', 31' (2/2)
Cards: Tom Marshall Yellow card.svg 35' to 44'		Report [32]
Scoreboard [33] 		Try: penalty try Ru ball.svg 35'
Conrad Smith Ru ball.svg 38'
James Marshall Ru ball.svg 54'
Con: James Marshall Rugby penalty.svg 36', 39', 55' (3/3)		Referee: Chris Pollock
Qualifier20 June 2015 Highlanders 24–14 Chiefs Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin  
19:35Try: Waisake Naholo Ru ball.svg 24', 43'
Con: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 44' (1/2)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 6', 57', 66', 80' (4/4)
Drop: Waisake Naholo (0/1)		Report [34]
Scoreboard [35] 		Try: Brodie Retallick Ru ball.svg 60'
Con: Andrew Horrell (0/1)
Pen: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 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:

PlayerAppsTriesConsPensDGsPtsYCRC
Michael Allardice 7-------
Brian Alainu'uese 2-------
Johan Bardoul 8-------
Sam Cane 154---202-
Mitchell Crosswell 3-------
Aaron Cruden 811420-93--
Hika Elliot 151---5-1
Ross Filipo 2-------
Jarrod Firth 2-------
Michael Fitzgerald 15-----1-
Hosea Gear 6-------
Mitchell Graham 11-------
Kayne Hammington 0-------
Bryce Heem 164---20--
Andrew Horrell 13146-31--
Tevita Koloamatangi 2-------
Michael Leitch 133---151-
Anton Lienert-Brown 6-------
James Lowe 115---253-
Quentin MacDonald 13-------
Jamie Mackintosh 5-------
Pauliasi Manu 16-------
Rhys Marshall 4-------
Tom Marshall 142---101-
Damian McKenzie 16-79-411-
Marty McKenzie 6-45-23--
Liam Messam 143---151-
Tim Nanai-Williams 92-1-13--
Charlie Ngatai 116---30--
Sean Polwart 1-------
Augustine Pulu 163---15--
Brodie Retallick 81---5--
Liam Squire 41---51-
Matt Symons 14-----1-
Seta Tamanivalu 6-------
Ben Tameifuna 15-----1-
Siate Tokolahi 17-------
Maama Vaipulu 10-------
Brad Weber 17-------
Sonny Bill Williams 101---5--
penalty try -3---15--
Total17412941-386131

Notes and references

  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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