The names roll off the tongue. Levave, Harding, May, Hopgood, Bruce. Yes folks, meet the 2008 edition of those perennial under-achievers, the not so mighty Waikato Chiefs.

The Fan is struggling to criticise Foster’s selections this time around due to their anonymity. Who are Levave and Harding? They have been pine-riders for a Wellington side missing their All Blacks and it is hard to imagine them starting in Super 14. Throw in the Canterbury bench-warmer Hopgood and that is 3 draftees in the back row. Couldn’t a place have been found for young Solomon King or utility man Colin Bourke? What happened to developing local talent Mr. Foster?

Usually at this time of year, Bay fans like to bleat (justifiably) that they have been hard done by at Chiefs selection time. This year, the selection of 4 players seems about right for a side finishing in 13^th place.

The propping twins Davison and Castle remain as long-term Chiefs, although Ben will need to fire up to get a starting spot. Tanerau Latimer could well be the first choice 7 with the departure of Marty Holah while Jamie Nutbrown will be the backup to All Black Brendon Leonard.

The only other Bay player to make a squad is Mike Delany, his reward for a season of sterling effort is a trip to Dunedin to play for the Highlanders. With Nick Evans leaving the franchise, Delany may be able to press for a starting spot while Otago back Callum Bruce moves in the opposite direction, one of those odd situations thrown up by the Super 14 selection method.  

Murray Williams has paid the price for his lack of play in 2007 with the ultimate insult – being dropped from the squad while Tasesa Lavea remains. Anthony Tahana’s Super 14 adventure finally comes to an end with the chance of a lucrative overseas contract.

So what of the Chiefs’ prospects in 2008? There looks to be an alarming lack of depth in the locks, the back row and in the midfield backs and too much depth in the outside backs. Will a Rolls-Royce at the back compensate for a Toyota Corolla in midfield? Will the Chiefs lineout function for once? Will Jonno Gibbes be injured again? Does anyone care?

Given the history of the Chiefs, expect a terrible start where they play like bumbling fools, a few narrow defeats and then a couple of stirring victories late in the season when all hope of the semis has gone. Although given the form of the 3 teams who make up the Chiefs franchise, 14^th place may be achievable with a concerted effort.

Finally to sign off for the year, 2007 has been awful for the Bay Steamers. Here’s to Latimer in the All Blacks and the Bay back to form in 2008.