The dirty old Chiefs - the only New Zealand side to have not made a final in 11 years of Super Rugby.  One semi final to show for their troubles, and heart break for players and their long suffering fans, year, after year, after year...

However, 2007, the year of the Cartel's great master plan, the resting of the chosen ones for the first half of the Super season, this could be the year of the Chief.  As the Chiefs only have Kelleher, Muliaina and Sivivatu 'resting', there will be minimal disruption to their side.  Hell, Brendon Leonard looked the good for Waikato in their NPC win whenever Kelleher was absent, and Nutbrown, in the swap for Senio last season, was the Bay of Plenty's player of the year.  So not too much loss there.  Muliiana and Sivivatu however, hell of a potent strike force missing, but with the pack being the strong point in the past, it won't really be noticed if the backs aren't scoring tries...

Fatties:
A more than handy forward pack will be rolled out again, but a lot relies on some oft injured players not getting injured.  Gibbes, Willis and Robinson all need to play pretty much every minute of every game for the Chiefs to make the grade.  A lock pairing of Kristian Ormsby and Toby Lynn, with the ball being thrown into them by Aled de Malmanche does not quite strike the same sort of fear into a side as the previously mentioned trio.

Propping up Willis in the top pack will be Bay stalwart Simms Davision at loosehead and man mountain Nathan White at tighthead.  White was close to an All Black tour at the end of last season if you listen to the scuttlebutt, and is improving all the time.  Backing up this pair will be last seasons regular starter at TH, Ben Castle, and another mover and shaker in the propping circles, Craig West.  So plenty of depth at prop, not so happy in the second row, and de Malmanche as a back up hooker - unknown quantity to tell the truth, but one massive bastard - got the physique to make the grade, time'll tell if he's got it in the top two inches, and if his heart is as big is biceps.

The loose trio will be a strong point for the Chiefs this season.  Marty Holah, one of the best sevens in the world, let alone New Zealand, leading the way from openside.  He's backed up by the promising Bay lad Tanerau Latimer, who already has a Super 14 winners medal in his closet.  Backing up this pair as an opensider, and as a six or eight too, is Liam Messam, another who went very close to All Black tour this year.  He's at home seven, six or eight.  Throw in the starting lineup six and eight (probably), Bates and Lauaki, you have a damn fine trio.  A total of five quality players for the three starting spots.  Depth coming out their ears.

Blouses:
David Hill is going to be a huge loss for the Chiefs this season, and I never thought I would hear myself say that, but there you go.  Since shuffling one position out in the backline to 12, he has been the rock around which the Chiefs and Waikato backlines have been built.  He's gone, so it is time for his deputy Stephen Donald to step up and put the boot in.  Lets just hope his confidence isn't charged down early!

Donald will team up in the halves with either Nutbrown or Leonard for the first half of the Super 14, in what should be a good combination.  Both halfbacks more than just competent.  Outside will probably see Tane Tu'ipolutu, drafted up from Wellington.  An under-rated player I think, constant play should see the best of him.  Kahui will wear the 13 jersey, at least until Muliaina arrives back on the scene, and perhaps longer if Mils plays fullback when he returns.  The injury prone Niva Ta’auso also could be an option here at 12 or 13, along with, wait for it, perhaps Lavea as a 12, running the second pivot thing, which might suit the Aucklander a little more than the hot seat that 10 is.

The outside backs plenty of options and quality Super level players.  Kinikinilau, Tahana, Masaga, and Anesi will hold the fort until the return of the All Blacks.  Are experienced at this level now, and proven performers at NPC level.  Not really players that will cause too many sleepless nights for opposing coaches, but give them a half break, and they'll be gone before you can say Jack Robinson - especially Masaga, that boy is quick.

Players to watch:
Nathan White.  Second season at this level, knows the Cartel are seriously interested in him, and Greg Somerville out for the season.  If he can keep up the work rate about the field, and fight off the challenge of Junior All Black Ben Castle, it could be the big tightheads season.  Don't just grow on trees tightheads!!
Richard Kahui.  Huge NPC, if he carries on that sort of form in Super rugby, there still could be an All Black jersey sooner rather than later for the talented youngster.
Keith Robinson.  We all know he is a fantastic player, mentally harder than most anything known to man, but can his tupperware back last the rigors of a Super season.  Fingers bloody crossed.
Lelia Masaga.  The Counties winger is lightning in rugby boots.  He should get a good chance to show his wares until the All Blacks Muliaina and Sivivatu return to the fold.
Sione Lauaki.  The big lad will want to go to the RWC for sure, but will need a busy season to make it.  On and off the ball.  Watch for it.

Top XV:
1 Davison, 2 Willis, 3 White, 4 Robinson, 5 Gibbes, 6 Bates, 7 Holah, 8 Lauaki, 9 Kelleher (Nutbrown), 10 Donald, 11 Sivivatu (Masaga), 12 Tu'ipulotu, 13 Kahui, 14 Anesi (Kinikinilau), 15 Muliaina (Anesi).
Bracketed players the best choice while the All Blacks are resting.

Chiefs 2007:
Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Steven Bates (Waikato), Ben Castle (Bay of Plenty), Simms Davison (Bay of Plenty), Aled de Malmanche ¹ (Waikato), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Jono Gibbes (Waikato), Marty Holah (Waikato), Richard Kahui ¹ (Waikato), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Roy Kinikinilau (Waikato), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Tasesa Lavea ³ (Auckland), Brendon Leonard ¹ (Waikato), Toby Lynn ¹ (Waikato), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau),
Liam Messam (Waikato), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Jamie Nutbrown (Bay of Plenty), Kristian Ormsby (Counties Manukau), Keith Robinson ² (Waikato), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Dwayne Sweeney ¹ (Waikato), Niva Ta’auso (Counties Manukau), Anthony Tahana (Bay of Plenty), Tane Tu’ipulotu ³ (Wellington), Craig West ¹ (Waikato), Nathan White (Waikato), Murray Williams ¹ (Bay of Plenty), Tom Willis (Waikato).