Stephen Donald will return to the Chiefs in 2016. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought
Something old, something new and an extended roster due to those who have put their hand up for sevens at Rio.
Those are the characteristics of the 40-man Chiefs squad for the 2016 Super Rugby season, which includes seven wider training group members.
Pleasingly for coaches Dave Rennie and Andrew
Strawbridge and their new assistants Kieran Keane and Neil Barnes, there are 26 from the Chiefs region, plus Brodie Retallick and Brad Weber, both heading back to Hawke's Bay.
Sonny Bill Williams, though he is named on the roster, and Liam Messam, will play no part in Super Rugby due to their focus on the All Blacks Sevens. The latter will also head to Japan for a brief stint post Rugby World Cup.
Halfback Augustine Pulu, on the comeback trail from a broken arm, may also play sevens tournaments before Christmas, but Rennie says he will play roughly half the Chiefs' campaign after being a late call-up to Sir Gordon Tietjens' squad.
