The Super 14 this year kicked off for the Chiefs, with the main rallying cry from the fans being that their team be more consistent.  Well the Chiefs didn’t disappoint in the opening round – they consistently raised one hopes only to cruelly dash them eventually running out 30 – 21 losers to a less than impressive- but more solid, Sharks side.

It all started well enough with Lauaki crashing over line through some rather timid tackling for the Chiefs to burst out to a 7 – 0 lead, after which Lauaki seemed to wander around the field looking for someone to punch.

This was best summed up in the phase of play that saw Bryon wobble a pass out to Donald, who promptly had his kicked charged down – of course the 2 Chiefs players capable of defusing the situation promptly collided with each other leaving the ever-green immense talent of Percy Montgomery to stroll over for the try.   

Go-forward was a huge problem for the Chiefs, starting up front with the rolling maul that never made meter’s, Tuitupo was one shining light that made impressive yardage every time he touched the ball yet was scandalously under-utilised.  Lauaki also bashed and crashed with his usual venom when of course he could actually be bothered doing some-thing.  What made things worse for the Chiefs is that their “star players” failed to fire, Byron as mentioned before seemed incapable of hitting a barn door, Sivivatu seemed unenthused, Anesi was obviously patenting the “run through treacle” rugby boots as he got run down at every opportunity

However it was not all doom and gloom, for a start the Chiefs had a much better week-end than Scott Hamilton, who surely dashed his All Black chances in the week-end.  Call me un-analytical but anyone that can be knocked unconscious by Ben Blair flying ass isn’t worthy of an AB jersey.  The line-out and scrum were solid if not spectacular, the backline – when it got into gear looked dangerous.  The Chiefs, despite playing with more rust than on a rednecks tractor still managed to exert phases of pressure and if it were not for an unfortunate charge-down, possibly, might, maybe, could have won the game.  There is still of course Jonno Gibbes to come back, whose leadership and influence on the team can not be under estimated.

Areas for improvement – well the big name players have to stand up, the backs need to learn how to catch and the forwards how to push and please, some consistency of performance, such as consistently good would be nice.  Anyway roll on round 2, and remember if it all goes to custard there’s at least a home game against the WA Anchors to look forward too.