KEY POINTS:
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
They are entertainers, but can be frustrating.
They would have been in the semifinals last year, but for a poor first two rounds in South Africa when they lost to the Sharks and, critically, the dreadful Cats.
At times you were tempted to yell
"fling it to Siti". But this time, there's no Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina or Byron Kelleher for the first seven weeks. There are still backs with speed - Sosene Anesi and Lelia Masaga for starters - power, think Niva Ta'auso and Richard Kahui, and skill, such as Stephen Donald.
Up front, the Chiefs have long had quality loose forwards, such as Marty Holah, Steven Bates and Sione Lauaki - although a broken wrist seems set to rule him out for three to four weeks.
Now add Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer into the mix and it looks even better.
With Keith Robinson back to rule the lineouts alongside Jono Gibbes and three highly impressive front rowers from Waikato's Air New Zealand Cup championship, Craig West, Nathan White and Aled de Malmanche, to go alongside the established Ben Castle and Simms Davison it all looks good.
OFF-SEASON RECRUITING
Nine players have gone to various destinations from last year's team, but coach Ian Foster has picked up two players in the draft, backs Tasesa Lavea and Tane Tu'ipulotu, and chosen seven Super rugby debutants.
Four newcomers in the backs are Bay of Plenty's first five-eighth Murray Williams and Waikato trio, halfback Brendon Leonard, centre Richard Kahui and utility Dwayne Sweeney; the three up front are all Waikato men, lock Toby Lynn, loosehead prop West and prop/hooker de Malmanche.
Robinson returns after his long injury-enforced absence to beef up the tight five and two players who were with the Crusaders last year are in, BoP flanker Latimer and halfback Jamie Nutbrown.
BEST THING GOING FOR THEM
The pack - at least for the first half of the competition. They have lost three backs to All Black reconditioning but the pack is untouched, and strong.
MAJOR FAILING LAST YEAR AND WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO FIX IT
Two things: That start. By the time the Chiefs had their bye, after five rounds, they'd lost three games. They played some dazzling footy from then on but it was always as if a semifinal spot was just beyond their fingertips. If they start well in the next eight days, they'll head to South Africa in fine shape.
And second, at times there was a feeling they didn't take their chances, didn't play sufficiently smart footy at key moments. They rued not beating the Brumbies, and almost got tipped up by the Cheetahs in a 60 point-plus topsy-turvy contest.
PROSPECTS
Good. They've only made the semifinals once in 11 years, but their chances of winning it appear as strong as most other teams. They must start well against the Brumbies and the Hurricanes at home, and pick up points on their three-game trip to South Africa. They have a bye after that to reassess things, but they'll be aware their run in is tough, away to the Waratahs then the Crusaders.
