2012 Chiefs (rugby union) season

Chiefs 2012 rugby season

Chiefs2012 season

Head coach| Dave Rennie
Captains| Craig Clarke
Liam Messam
Stadium| Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Overall Competition| 2nd
N.Z. Conference| 1st
Play-offs| Champions
Record| Won 14, Lost 4
Top try scorer| All: Sona Taumalolo (9)
Top points scorer| All: Aaron Cruden (251)
| <- 2011 | 2013 ->

|

In 2012, following the disappointing results of previous years, the Chiefs underwent a significant change in personnel. This included the recruitment of new coaches, including Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith, and players, including Aaron Cruden, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick and Sonny Bill Williams. The changes had an immediate impact as the Chiefs finished at the top of the New Zealand conference, qualifying for a home semi-final, which they won, defeating the Crusaders 20–17. They subsequently hosted the final for the first time in the teams's history, comprehensively defeating the Sharks by 37–6, claiming their first title. They also set many club records in the 2012 season, including: most home wins, best home streak, best season winning streak, and most points and tries scored.[1]

## Standings

[edit]

The final standings of the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[2]

New Zealand Conference

Pos  | Team  | Rnd  | W  | D  | L  | Bye  | PF  | PA  | PD  | TF  | TA  | TB  | LB  | Pts
1 | Chiefs | 18 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 444 | 358 | +86 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 64
2 | Crusaders | 18 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 485 | 343 | +142 | 47 | 34 | 5 | 4 | 61
3 | Hurricanes | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 489 | 429 | +60 | 58 | 39 | 8 | 1 | 57
4 | Highlanders | 18 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 359 | 385 | -26 | 36 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 50
5 | Blues | 18 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 359 | 430 | -71 | 34 | 50 | 2 | 6 | 32

Overall Standings

Pos  | Team  | Rnd  | W  | D  | L  | Bye  | PF  | PA  | PD  | TF  | TA  | TB  | LB  | Pts
1 |  Stormers | 18 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 350 | 254 | +96 | 28 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 66
2 |  Chiefs | 18 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 444 | 358 | +86 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 64
3 |  Reds | 18 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 359 | 347 | +12 | 38 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 58
4 |  Crusaders | 18 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 485 | 343 | +142 | 47 | 34 | 5 | 4 | 61
5 |  Bulls | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 472 | 369 | +103 | 50 | 38 | 6 | 5 | 59
6 |  Sharks | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 436 | 348 | +88 | 47 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 59
7 |  Brumbies | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 404 | 331 | +73 | 41 | 31 | 5 | 5 | 58
8 |  Hurricanes | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 489 | 429 | +60 | 58 | 39 | 8 | 1 | 57
9 |  Highlanders | 18 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 359 | 385 | -26 | 36 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 50
10 |  Cheetahs | 18 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 391 | 458 | -67 | 35 | 47 | 3 | 7 | 38
11 |  Waratahs | 18 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 346 | 407 | -61 | 33 | 43 | 3 | 8 | 35
12 |  Blues | 18 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 359 | 430 | -71 | 34 | 50 | 2 | 6 | 32
13 |  Rebels | 18 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 362 | 520 | -158 | 37 | 59 | 3 | 5 | 32
14 |  Force | 18 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 306 | 440 | -134 | 30 | 49 | 2 | 5 | 27
15 |  Lions | 18 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 317 | 460 | -143 | 30 | 52 | 2 | 3 | 25

## Results

[edit]

The results of the Chiefs during the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[3]

Round 1  | 25 February 2012  | Chiefs | 19–23  | Highlanders | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Lelia Masaga 14'
Con: Aaron Cruden 15' (1/1)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 5', 32', 37', 50' (4/4)  | Scoreboard[4] | Try: Aaron Smith 61'
Phil Burleigh 65'
Con: Chris Noakes 62', 66' (2/2)
Pen: Chris Noakes 2', 12', 27' (3/3)  | Attendance: 12,058
Referee: Jonathon White

Round 2  | 2 March 2012  | Chiefs | 29–14  | Blues | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Sona Taumalolo 4'
Asaeli Tikoirotuma 23'
Tawera Kerr-Barlow 30'
Tim Nanai-Williams 34'
Con: Aaron Cruden 5', 24', 31' (3/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 8' (1/2)  | Scoreboard[5] | Try: Sherwin Stowers 77'
Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1)
Pen: Michael Hobbs 15', 22', 55' (3/5)
Drop: Michael Hobbs (0/1)  | Attendance: 12,133
Referee: Keith Brown

Round 3  | 9 March 2012  | Crusaders | 19–24  | Chiefs | McLean Park, Napier |

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| 19:35  | Try: Robert Fruean 49'
Con: Tyler Bleyendaal 50' (1/1)
Pen: Tyler Bleyendaal 9', 35', 61', 64' (4/5)  | Scoreboard[6] | Try: Liam Messam 26'
Sona Taumalolo 57'
Con: Aaron Cruden 27' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 2', 22', 38', 77' (4/7)  | Attendance: 12,500
Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 4  | 16 March 2012  | Chiefs | 29–22  | Brumbies | Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui |

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| 19:35  | Try: Sona Taumalolo 68'
Jackson Willison 79'
Con: Aaron Cruden 69', 80' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 10', 14', 27', 49', 55' (5/5)  | Scoreboard[7] | Try: Sam Carter 75'
Con: Christian Lealiifano (1/1)
Pen: Christian Lealiifano 4', 21', 35', 45', 64' (5/6)  | Attendance: 12,238
Referee: Ian Smith

Round 6  | 31 March 2012  | Chiefs | 30–13  | Waratahs | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Robbie Robinson 9'
Sona Taumalolo 42'
Liam Messam 64'
Con: Aaron Cruden 10', 43', 65' (3/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 31', 35', 62' (3/3)  | Scoreboard[8] | Try: Tom Kingston 5'
Con: Brendan McKibbin 6' (1/1)
Pen: Brendan McKibbin 25', 48' (2/3)  | Attendance: 11,643
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 7  | 6 April 2012  | Force | 12–20  | Chiefs | {{{s}}}, [[{{{slan}}}]]  |

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| 19:40  | Pen: David Harvey 9', 21', 51', 57' (4/5)  | Scoreboard[9] | Try: Lelia Masaga 15'
Tim Nanai-Williams 48'
Con: Aaron Cruden 16', 49' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 53', 69' (2/3)  | Attendance: 17,112
Referee: Jonathon White

Round 8  | 14 April 2012  | Cheetahs | 33–39  | Chiefs | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein |

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| 17:05  | Try: Ashley Johnson 52'
Johan Goosen 78'
Con: Johan Goosen 53' (1/2)
Pen: Sias Ebersohn 6', 24', 40', 50' (4/4)
Johan Goosen 56', 62', 83' (3/3)
Drop: Sias Ebersohn (0/0)  | Scoreboard[10] | Try: Lelia Masaga 20'
Sona Taumalolo 47', 67'
Sonny Bill Williams 72'
Richard Kahui 74'
Con: Aaron Cruden 21', 48', 73', 75' (4/5)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 9', 59' (2/2)  | Attendance: 17,163
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Round 9  | 21 April 2012  | Sharks | 12–18  | Chiefs | Mr Price Kings Park, Durban |

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| 17:05  | Pen: Patrick Lambie 40', 48', 52', 67' (4/5)  | Scoreboard[11] | Try: Aaron Cruden 19'
Augustine Pulu 81'
Con: Aaron Cruden 20' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 30', 62' (2/3)  | Attendance: 26,773
Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 10  | 28 April 2012  | Chiefs | 33–14  | Hurricanes | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Lelia Masaga 45'
Sona Taumalolo 65'
Toby Smith 76'
Con: Aaron Cruden 46', 66', 77' (3/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 5', 15', 25', 28' (4/5)  | Scoreboard[12] | Try: Andre Taylor 35'
Con: Beauden Barrett (0/1)
Pen: Beauden Barrett 19', 49', 57' (3/4)
Drop: Beauden Barrett (0/1)  | Attendance: 22,119
Referee: Jonathon White

Round 11  | 5 May 2012  | Chiefs | 34–21  | Lions | ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe |

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| 19:35  | Try: Aaron Cruden 19'
Craig Clarke 28'
Lelia Masaga 49'
Brendon Leonard 56'
Con: Aaron Cruden 20', 29', 50', 57' (4/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 4', 15' (2/2)  | Scoreboard[13] | Try: Cobus Grobbelaar 34', 68'
Josh Strauss 53'
Con: Elton Jantjies 35', 54', 69' (3/3)  | Attendance: 12,364
Referee: Ian Smith

Round 12  | 13 May 2012  | Reds | 42–27  | Chiefs | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |

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| 16:10  | Try: Dom Shipperley 4'
Ben Lucas 40'
Scott Higginbotham 42'
Will Genia 47'
Saia Fainga'a 51'
Con: Mike Harris 40', 43', 48', 52' (4/5)
Pen: Mike Harris 20', 76' (2/2)
Drop: Mike Harris 64' (1/1)  | Scoreboard[14] | Try: Sonny Bill Williams 30'
Liam Messam 33'
Sona Taumalolo 38'
Asaeli Tikoirotuma 59'
Con: Aaron Cruden 31', 34' (2/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 16' (1/1)  | Attendance: 36,479
Referee: Marius Jonker

Round 14  | 25 May 2012  | Chiefs | 28–22  | Bulls | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Andrew Horrell 24'
Asaeli Tikoirotuma 58'
Sam Cane 69'
Con: Aaron Cruden 59', 70' (2/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 15', 46', 53' (3/3)  | Scoreboard[15] | Try: Bjorn Basson 40'
Con: Morné Steyn 40' (1/1)
Pen: Morné Steyn 7', 35', 50', 62' (4/4)
Drop: Morné Steyn 23' (1/2)  | Attendance: 18,482
Referee: Mark Lawrence

Round 15  | 2 June 2012  | Blues | 34–41  | Chiefs | North Harbour Stadium, Albany |

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| 19:35  | Try: Francis Saili 13'
Lachie Munro 39'
Rudi Wulf 62'
Rene Ranger 65'
Con: Lachie Munro 14', 40', 63', 66' (4/4)
Pen: Lachie Munro 29', 37' (2/2)
Cards: Steven Luatua 34' to 44' | Scoreboard[16] | Try: Asaeli Tikoirotuma 15', 45', 55', 70'
Sonny Bill Williams 31'
Con: Aaron Cruden 16', 32', 46', 56', 71' (5/5)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 4', 27' (2/3)
Cards: Maritino Nemani 33' to 44'
Michael Fitzgerald 59' to 69' | Attendance: 20,200
Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 16  | 29 June 2012  | Highlanders | 21–27  | Chiefs | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin |

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| 19:35  | Try: Andrew Hore 46'
Hosea Gear 75'
Con: Chris Noakes (0/1)
Mike Delany 76' (1/1)
Pen: Chris Noakes 8', 19', 30' (3/5)  | Scoreboard[17] | Try: Tim Nanai-Williams 2'
Robbie Robinson 38'
Con: Aaron Cruden 3' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 12', 40', 41', 64', 68' (5/6)  | Attendance: 17,401
Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 17  | 6 July 2012  | Chiefs | 21–28  | Crusaders | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Brodie Retallick 30'
Sonny Bill Williams 55'
Con: Aaron Cruden 31' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 3', 16', 37' (3/4)  | Scoreboard[18] | Try: Kieran Read 10'
Luke Romano 21'
Andrew Ellis 52'
Con: Dan Carter 11', 22' (2/3)
Pen: Dan Carter 7' (1/3)
Drop: Dan Carter 17' (1/1)  | Attendance: 25,100
Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 18  | 13 July 2012  | Hurricanes | 28–25  | Chiefs | Westpac Stadium, Wellington |

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| 19:35  | Try: Julian Savea 12', 24'
Dane Coles 85'
Con: Beauden Barrett 25', 86' (2/3)
Pen: Beauden Barrett 7', 40', 62' (3/6)
Cards: Ben May 28' to 39' | Scoreboard[19] | Try: Tawera Kerr-Barlow 3'
Ben Tameifuna 38'
Aaron Cruden 57'
Con: Aaron Cruden 4', 58' (2/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 32', 66' (2/4)  | Attendance: 23,549
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Semi-Final  | 27 July 2012  | Chiefs | 20–17  | Crusaders | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Sona Taumalolo 26'
Liam Messam 33'
Con: Aaron Cruden 27', 35' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 3', 50' (2/5)  | Scoreboard[20] | Try: Ryan Crotty 40'
Con: Dan Carter (0/1)
Pen: Dan Carter 15', 32', 45', 62' (4/5)  | Attendance: 25,100
Referee: Craig Joubert

Final  | 4 August 2012  | Chiefs | 37–6  | Sharks | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |

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| 19:35  | Try: Tim Nanai-Williams 19'
Kane Thompson 46'
Lelia Masaga 61'
Sonny Bill Williams 77'
Con: Aaron Cruden 20', 47', 62', 78' (4/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden 25', 34', 72' (3/5)  | Scoreboard[21] | Pen: Frédéric Michalak 6', 52' (2/2)  | Attendance: 25,100
Referee: Steve Walsh

## Squad

[edit]

The Chiefs squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[22]

2013 Chiefs squad

Props

* Ben Afeaki
* Shane Cleaver
* Josh Hohneck
* Toby Smith
* Ben Tameifuna
* Sona Taumalolo

Hookers

* Marcel Cummings-Toone
* Hika Elliot
* Mahonri Schwalger

Locks

* Craig Clarke (c)
* Michael Fitzgerald
* Romana Graham
* Brodie Retallick
* Kane Thompson

Loose forwards

* Alex Bradley
* Sam Cane
* Tanerau Latimer
* Fritz Lee
* Liam Messam (c)
* Scott Waldrom

Scrum-halves

* Tawera Kerr-Barlow
* Brendon Leonard
* Augustine Pulu

Fly-halves

* Aaron Cruden
* Andrew Horrell

Midfield

* Richard Kahui
* Asaeli Tikoirotuma
* Sonny Bill Williams
* Jackson Willison

Wingers

* Lelia Masaga
* Tim Nanai-Williams
* Maritino Nemani
* Declan O'Donnell

Fullbacks

* Robbie Robinson

(c) denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped.

## Player statistics

[edit]

The Chiefs players' appearance and scoring statistics for the 2012 Super Rugby season are:

Player  | Apps | Tries  | Cons | Pens | DGs | Pts | YC | RC

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Ben Afeaki | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Alex Bradley | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Sam Cane | 18 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Craig Clarke | 16 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Shane Cleaver | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Aaron Cruden | 18 | 3 | 43 | 50 | - | 251 | - | \-
Marcel Cummings-Toone | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Hika Elliot | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Michael Fitzgerald | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | \-
Romana Graham | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Josh Hohneck | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Andrew Horrell | 14 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Richard Kahui | 11 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Tawera Kerr-Barlow | 16 | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | - | \-
Tanerau Latimer | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Fritz Lee | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Brendon Leonard | 8 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Lelia Masaga | 13 | 6 | - | - | - | 30 | - | \-
Liam Messam | 17 | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | - | \-
Tim Nanai-Williams | 13 | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | - | \-
Maritino Nemani | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | \-
Declan O'Donnell | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Augustine Pulu | 8 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Brodie Retallick | 17 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Robbie Robinson | 15 | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | - | \-
Mahonri Schwalger | 18 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Toby Smith | 8 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Ben Tameifuna | 16 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Sona Taumalolo | 18 | 9 | - | - | - | 45 | - | \-
Kane Thompson | 13 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Asaeli Tikoirotuma | 15 | 7 | - | - | - | 35 | - | \-
Scott Waldrom | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | \-
Sonny Bill Williams | 18 | 5 | - | - | - | 25 | - | \-
Jackson Willison | 13 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | - | \-
Total | 18 | 53 | 43 | 50 | - | 501 | 2 | \-

## Notes and references

[edit]

1. ^ "2012 Super Rugby end of season awards".
2. ^ "SA Rugby Log – 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
3. ^ "SA Rugby Squad – Chiefs : 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
4. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 19–23 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 29–14 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
6. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 19–24 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 29–22 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
8. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 30–13 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Force 12–20 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
10. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Cheetahs 33–39 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
11. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks 12–18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
12. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 33–14 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
13. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 34–21 MTN Lions". South African Rugby Union. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
14. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Reds 42–27 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
15. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 28–22 Vodacom Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
16. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 34–41 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
17. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 21–27 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
18. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 21–28 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
19. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 28–25 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
20. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 20–17 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
21. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 37–6 Sharks". South African Rugby Union. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
22. ^ "Chiefs 2012 Super Rugby Squad". SuperXV. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.

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[edit]

* Official Chiefs website
* Official Super Rugby website Archived 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
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