2014 Chiefs season

The year 2014 was a challenging year for the Chiefs rugby team as they looked for their third straight super rugby title. They won eight of their Super Rugby games and finished fifth overall on the table, and second behind the Crusaders in the New Zealand Conference. Playing the Brumbies in the qualifying finals, they had a narrow loss, losing 32-30, which ended their super rugby season.

Chiefs

2014 season
Head coach	Dave Rennie
Captain	Liam Messam Aaron Cruden Brodie Retallick
Stadium	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Overall competition	5th
N.Z. Conference	2nd
Record	Won 8, Drew 2, Lost 7
Top try scorer	All: Tim Nanai-Williams (7)
Top points scorer	All: Aaron Cruden (104)
← 2013 2015 →

Standings

The final standings of the 2014 Super Rugby season were:[1]

New Zealand Conference
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Crusaders	16	11	0	5	445	322	+123	41	36	4	3	51
2	Chiefs	16	8	2	6	384	378	+6	44	35	5	3	44
3	Highlanders	16	8	0	8	401	442	−41	39	52	5	5	42
4	Hurricanes	16	8	0	8	439	374	+65	49	36	6	3	41
5	Blues	16	7	0	9	419	395	+24	46	43	6	3	37

Overall standings
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Waratahs	16	12	0	4	481	272	+209	55	24	9	1	58
2	Crusaders	16	11	0	5	445	322	+123	41	36	4	3	51
3	Sharks	16	11	0	5	406	293	+113	29	22	2	4	50
4	Brumbies	16	10	0	6	412	378	+34	49	35	4	1	45
5	Chiefs	16	8	2	6	384	378	+6	44	35	5	3	44
6	Highlanders	16	8	0	8	401	442	−41	39	52	5	5	42
7	Hurricanes	16	8	0	8	439	374	+65	49	36	6	3	41
8	Western Force	16	9	0	7	343	393	−50	37	40	3	1	40
9	Bulls	16	7	1	8	365	335	+30	28	29	3	5	38
10	Blues	16	7	0	9	419	395	+24	46	43	6	3	37
11	Stormers	16	7	0	9	290	326	−36	30	29	2	2	32
12	Lions	16	7	0	9	367	413	−46	31	46	2	1	31
13	Reds	16	5	0	11	374	493	−119	42	52	4	4	28
14	Cheetahs	16	4	1	11	372	527	−155	38	59	3	3	24
15	Rebels	16	4	0	12	303	460	−157	29	49	1	4	21

Results

The following fixtures were released 7 October 2013.[2]

Round 2	21 February 2014	Crusaders	10–18	Chiefs	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Try: Sam Whitelock  49' Con: Tom Taylor  50' (1/1) Pen: Tyler Bleyendaal (0/5) Tom Taylor  74' (1/3) Cards: Dominic Bird 37' to 42' George Whitelock 44' to 56'	Report[3][4] Scoreboard[5][6]	Try: Robbie Fruean  10' James Lowe  79' Con: Aaron Cruden  80' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden  39', 45' (2/2) Cards: Ben Tameifuna 40' to 50'	Attendance: 17,300 Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 3	1 March 2014	Chiefs	21–19	Highlanders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Tim Nanai-Williams  10' Liam Messam  48' Charlie Ngatai  68' Con: Aaron Cruden  11', 49', 69' (3/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden (0/2)	Report[7] Scoreboard[8]	Try: John Hardie  32' Con: Lima Sopoaga  33' (1/1) Pen: Lima Sopoaga  3', 20', 38', 58' (4/4)	Attendance: 14,120 Referee: Rohan Hoffmann

Round 5	14 March 2014	Chiefs	36–20	Stormers	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: James Lowe  16' Tom Marshall  40' Tawera Kerr-Barlow  41' Tevita Koloamatangi  77' Tanerau Latimer  81' Con: Aaron Cruden  17', 40', 42', 78' (4/4) Tanerau Latimer (0/1) Pen: Aaron Cruden  5' (1/2)	Report[9] Scoreboard[10]	Try: Gio Aplon  62' Nizaam Carr  75' Con: Peter Grant  63', 76' (2/2) Pen: Demetri Catrakilis  2', 20' (2/3)	Attendance: 14,000 Referee: Craig Joubert

Round 6	22 March 2014	Western Force	18–15	Chiefs	nib Stadium, Perth
	19:00	Try: Matt Hodgson  13', 46' Con: Sias Ebersohn  47' (1/2) Pen: Sias Ebersohn  26', 58' (2/3)	Report[11] Scoreboard[12]	Pen: Aaron Cruden  18', 31', 40', 62' (4/4) Gareth Anscombe  44' (1/1) Cards: Michael Fitzgerald 36' to 47'	Attendance: 16,380 Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

Round 7	29 March 2014	Bulls	34–34	Chiefs	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	15:00	Try: Deon Stegmann  30' penalty try  45' Bjorn Basson  49' Con: Jacques-Louis Potgieter  46', 50' (2/3) Pen: Jacques-Louis Potgieter  10', 23', 40', 55', 75' (5/5) Drop: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (0/1)	Report[13] Scoreboard[14]	Try: Mils Muliaina  14' Liam Messam  18' Gareth Anscombe  70' Matt Symons  76' Aaron Cruden  80' Con: Aaron Cruden  19' (1/2) Gareth Anscombe  71', 81' (2/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden  37' (1/3) Cards: Matt Symons 46' to 56'	Attendance: 24,164 Referee: Craig Joubert

Round 8	5 April 2014	Cheetahs	43–43	Chiefs	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
	15:00	Try: Sarel Pretorius  7', 35' Rayno Benjamin  15' Boom Prinsloo  38' Con: Johan Goosen  8', 16', 36', 39' (4/4) Pen: Johan Goosen  19', 30', 55', 72', 78' (5/7) Drop: Johan Goosen (0/1)	Report[15] Scoreboard[16]	Try: Augustine Pulu  27', 52' Tim Nanai-Williams  60', 82' Asaeli Tikoirotuma  63', 70' Con: Aaron Cruden  28', 53', 64', 70', 83' (5/6) Pen: Aaron Cruden  13' (1/1) Asaeli Tikoirotuma (0/1)	Attendance: 14,993 Referee: Craig Joubert

Round 9	12 April 2014	Chiefs	22–16	Rebels	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Michael Fitzgerald  15' Con: Gareth Anscombe  16' (1/1) Pen: Gareth Anscombe  3', 8', 12', 25', 58' (5/5) Cards: Pauliasi Manu  76'	Report[17] Scoreboard[18]	Try: Shota Horie  44' Con: Jason Woodward  45' (1/1) Pen: Jason Woodward  28', 40', 65' (3/4) Cards: Scott Higginbotham 55' to 66'	Attendance: 11,845 Referee: Matt O'Brien

Round 10	19 April 2014	Chiefs	17–18	Crusaders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Tom Marshall  40' Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1) Pen: Gareth Anscombe  14', 29', 32', 38' (4/5)	Report[19] Scoreboard[20]	Pen: Colin Slade  5', 10', 16', 50', 69', 72' (6/8) Cards: Dominic Bird 28' to 39'	Attendance: 17,097 Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 11	25 April 2014	Brumbies	41–23	Chiefs	GIO Stadium, Canberra
	17:40	Try: Matt Toomua  30', 81' Joe Tomane  47' Tevita Kuridrani  57', 61' Con: Christian Lealiifano  31' (1/4) Nic White  62' (1/1) Pen: Christian Lealiifano  18', 37' (2/3) Nic White  54', 64' (2/2)	Report[21] Scoreboard[22]	Try: Brad Weber  74' Josh Hohneck  79' Con: Andrew Horrell  74', 80' (2/2) Pen: Gareth Anscombe  10', 25', 45' (3/4) Cards: James Lowe 53' to 63'	Attendance: 16,159 Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 12	3 May 2014	Chiefs	38–8	Lions	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Gareth Anscombe  23' Tanerau Latimer  38' Charlie Ngatai  40' Pauliasi Manu  44' Bundee Aki  72' Tim Nanai-Williams  76' Con: Gareth Anscombe  24', 40', 45' (3/4) Andrew Horrell  77' (1/2) Pen: Gareth Anscombe (0/1)	Report[23] Scoreboard[24]	Try: Courtnall Skosan  47' Con: Elton Jantjies (0/1) Pen: Elton Jantjies  9' (1/2)	Attendance: 11,168 Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 13	9 May 2014	Chiefs	32–20	Blues	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	19:35	Try: Ben Tameifuna  11', 43' Tim Nanai-Williams  21' Tom Marshall  51' Con: Gareth Anscombe  12', 22', 52' (3/4) Pen: Gareth Anscombe  29', 40' (2/3) Cards: Tim Nanai-Williams 65' to 75'	Report[25] Scoreboard[26]	Try: Lolagi Visinia  7' George Moala  68' Con: Simon Hickey  8' (1/1) Ihaia West  69' (1/1) Pen: Simon Hickey  31', 36' (2/2)	Attendance: 10,888 Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 15	24 May 2014	Hurricanes	45–8	Chiefs	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Try: Andre Taylor  4' Ben Franks  21' Julian Savea  30', 51' Jack Lam  63' Brad Shields  72' Con: Beauden Barrett  5', 22', 31', 52', 64', 73' (6/6) Pen: Beauden Barrett  47' (1/1) Cards: Reggie Goodes 55' to 65'	Report[27] Scoreboard[28]	Try: Liam Squire  15' Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1) Pen: Gareth Anscombe  3' (1/1) Cards: Brodie Retallick 60' to 70'	Attendance: 10,334 Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 16	31 May 2014	Chiefs	17–33	Waratahs	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	16:35	Try: Bundee Aki  55', 62' Con: Aaron Cruden  56', 63' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden  3' (1/2)	Report[29] Scoreboard[30]	Try: Israel Folau  15' Dave Dennis  72' Bernard Foley  80' Con: Bernard Foley  16', 73', 81' (3/3) Pen: Bernard Foley  9', 27', 68' (3/3) Kurtley Beale  58' (1/1)	Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 17	27 June 2014	Highlanders	29–25	Chiefs	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
	19:35	Try: Patrick Osborne  14' Ben Smith  49' Con: Lima Sopoaga  15', 50' (2/2) Pen: Lima Sopoaga  35', 43', 54', 60' (4/4) Hayden Parker  73' (1/1) Drop: Hayden Parker (0/1)	Report[31] Scoreboard[32]	Try: Dwayne Sweeney  17' Tim Nanai-Williams  67' Josh Hohneck  76' Con: Aaron Cruden  18', 76' (2/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden  7' (1/1) Gareth Anscombe  30' (1/1)	Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 18	4 July 2014	Chiefs	24–16	Hurricanes	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Jamie Mackintosh  28' Brodie Retallick  62' Con: Aaron Cruden  29' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden  21', 37', 40', 58' (4/6)	Report[33] Scoreboard[34]	Try: Hadleigh Parkes  65' Con: Beauden Barrett  66' (1/1) Pen: Beauden Barrett  23', 34', 46' (3/5)	Referee: Nick Briant

Round 19	11 July 2014	Blues	8–11	Chiefs	Eden Park, Auckland
	19:35	Try: George Moala  69' Con: Ihaia West (0/1) Pen: Ihaia West  44' (1/2) Cards: Ma'a Nonu 36' to 47'	Report[35] Scoreboard[36]	Try: Liam Messam  49' Con: Aaron Cruden (0/1) Pen: Aaron Cruden  24', 62' (2/4) Gareth Anscombe (0/1) Cards: Michael Fitzgerald 66' to 76'	Referee: Glen Jackson

Qualifier	19 July 2014	Brumbies	32–30	Chiefs	GIO Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Try: Nic White  6' Robbie Coleman  10' Jesse Mogg  21' Jarrad Butler  61' Con: Christian Lealiifano  7', 11', 62' (3/4) Pen: Christian Lealiifano  29', 45' (2/4) Cards: Henry Speight 48' to 58'	Report[37] Scoreboard[38]	Try: Bundee Aki  35' Tawera Kerr-Barlow  50' Tim Nanai-Williams  55' Gareth Anscombe  77' Con: Aaron Cruden  36', 51' (2/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden  3', 42' (2/2) Cards: Tim Nanai-Williams 5' to 16'	Attendance: 14,284 Referee: Craig Joubert

Squad

The Chiefs squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season were:[39]

2014 Chiefs squad
Props Ben Afeaki Nick Barrett Josh Hohneck Jamie Mackintosh Pauliasi Manu Ben Tameifuna Hookers Hika Elliot Nathan Harris Rhys Marshall Mahonri Schwalger Locks Ross Filipo Michael Fitzgerald Brodie Retallick (c) Matt Symons Kane Thompson	Loose Forwards Carl Axtens Sam Cane Nick Crosswell Tevita Koloamatangi Tanerau Latimer Liam Messam (c) Liam Squire Scrum-halves Tawera Kerr-Barlow Augustine Pulu Brad Weber Fly-halves Aaron Cruden (c) Andrew Horrell	Midfield Bundee Aki Robbie Fruean Anton Lienert-Brown Charlie Ngatai Jordan Payne Dwayne Sweeney Wingers James Lowe Tom Marshall Tim Nanai-Williams Asaeli Tikoirotuma Fullbacks Gareth Anscombe Mils Muliaina Robbie Robinson
(c) denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped.

Player statistics

The Chiefs players' appearance and scoring statistics for the 2014 Super Rugby season are:

Player	Apps	Tries	Cons	Pens	DGs	Pts	YC	RC
Ben Afeaki	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bundee Aki	11	4	-	-	-	20	-	-
Gareth Anscombe	14	3	9	17	-	84	-	-
Carl Axtens	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Nick Barrett	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Sam Cane	10	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Nick Crosswell	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Aaron Cruden	12	1	21	19	-	104	-	-
Hika Elliot	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Ross Filipo	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Michael Fitzgerald	16	1	-	-	-	5	2	-
Robbie Fruean	4	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Nathan Harris	10	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Josh Hohneck	13	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Andrew Horrell	11	-	3	-	-	6	-	-
Tawera Kerr-Barlow	15	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Tevita Koloamatangi	5	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Tanerau Latimer	15	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Anton Lienert-Brown	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
James Lowe	10	2	-	-	-	10	1	-
Jamie Mackintosh	17	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Pauliasi Manu	17	1	-	-	-	5	1	-
Rhys Marshall	9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Tom Marshall	15	3	-	-	-	15	-	-
Liam Messam	17	3	-	-	-	15	-	-
Mils Muliaina	6	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Tim Nanai-Williams	17	7	-	-	-	35	2	-
Charlie Ngatai	6	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Jordan Payne	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Augustine Pulu	11	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Brodie Retallick	16	1	-	-	-	5	1	-
Robbie Robinson	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mahonri Schwalger	13	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Liam Squire	10	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Dwayne Sweeney	8	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Matt Symons	14	1	-	-	-	5	1	-
Ben Tameifuna	17	2	-	-	-	10	1	-
Kane Thompson	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Asaeli Tikoirotuma	12	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Brad Weber	7	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Total	17	48	34	35	-	413	9	-

Notes and references

1. "SA Rugby Log – 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
2. "2014 Super Rugby Schedule" (Press release). SANZAR. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
3. "Chiefs make perfect Super Rugby start". SANZAR. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
4. "Chiefs win battle of attrition over Crusaders". sportal.co.nz. All Blacks. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
5. "Match Centre: Crusaders v Chiefs". SANZAR. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 10-18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
7. "Chiefs made to work for their win". SANZAR. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 21-19 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
9. "Defending champs dispose of Stormers". SANZAR. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 36-20 DHL Stormers". South African Rugby Union. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
11. "Force stun Chiefs". SANZAR. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Force 18-15 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
13. "Chiefs stage late comeback to snatch draw". SANZAR. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
14. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Bulls 34-34 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
15. "Chiefs late show snatches draw". SANZAR. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
16. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Cheetahs 43-43 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
17. "Weary Chiefs do just enough to deny Rebels". SANZAR. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
18. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 22-16 Rebels". South African Rugby Union. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
19. "Crusaders take down the champions". SANZAR. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17-18 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
21. "Brumbies thrash the champs". SANZAR. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
22. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Brumbies 41-23 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
23. "Chiefs dismantle Lions in Hamilton". SANZAR. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
24. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 38-8 Lions". South African Rugby Union. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
25. "Chiefs put locals on notice in Taranaki". SANZAR. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
26. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 32-20 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
27. "Hurricanes obliterate the Chiefs". SANZAR. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
28. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 45-8 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
29. "Impressive 'Tahs march on". SANZAR. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
30. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17-33 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
31. "Highlanders edge Chiefs in thriller". SANZAR. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
32. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 29-25 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
33. "Chiefs hang tough to stay alive". SANZAR. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
34. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 24-16 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
35. "Champions clinch Finals berth". SANZAR. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
36. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 8-11 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
37. "Brumbies end Chiefs' title run". SANZAR. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
38. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Brumbies 32-30 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
39. "Chiefs 2014 Super Rugby Squad". SuperXV. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.

External links

• Official Chiefs website
• Official Super Rugby website
• Official Facebook page