Rugby: Excitement as Chiefs return to Rotorua

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie is excited about the upcoming Super Rugby season. Photo / Getty Images

A return to playing at Rotorua's International Stadium is welcomed by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.

It seemed Bay of Plenty fans were set for a period of rugby isolation due to the unsuitability of Mount Maunganui's ASB Baypark and the introduction of Taranaki into the Chiefs franchise last year.

But the Chiefs will tackle the Bulls in Rotorua on May 22 in a positive move for Bay of Plenty rugby.

'We have obviously been keen to go to Rotorua for a while," Rennie said.

"There has been talk in the past that you struggle to get crowds and so on but we plan to spend some time in the community a wee way out from the game. Hopefully people are really keen to come along and watch Sonny Bill (Williams) and a few other names play and we can get a good crowd behind us.

"We are certainly keen to be playing in the Bay of Plenty and unfortunately Baypark is just not up to scratch for a lot of reasons. Rotorua is a great stadium, outstanding field and we are really looking forward to playing there."

The early arrival into the Chiefs training camp of Williams caused most of the attention at yesterday's media session.

Rennie says Williams showed what a top-class professional he was by coming into camp weeks earlier than he had to.

"The All Blacks aren't due in until January 26 but Sonny Bill was keen to come in for a week. He did a PB on the yoyo of 20.1 so he has come in really good nick. That is pretty good for a man who is 106 kilos.

"He has made a positive influence. He is not saying too much or doing too much at this stage. He is trying to get his head around things and get to know some of the boys new to the group."

Rennie has recruited some of the biggest midfielders in Super Rugby in Williams, Seta Tamanivalu and Charlie Ngatai.

"We have a tad bigger backline than we have had in last couple of years so it is pretty exciting," Rennie said.

"Having that size gives us a bit of variety and we can play different sorts of strikes. Around those big men, it is good having the fast men as well so we have some good combinations."

-Chiefs home fixtures:

February 20: Chiefs v Brumbies, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 7.35pm.

February 28: Chiefs v Crusaders, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35pm.

March 6: Chiefs v Highlanders, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35pm.

March 28: Chiefs v Cheetahs, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 4.30pm

April 4: Chiefs v Blues, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35pm.

April 24: Chiefs v Force, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35pm.

May 22: Chiefs v Bulls, Rotorua International Stadium 7.35pm.

June 13: Chiefs v Hurricanes, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 7.35pm.