Rugby: Hill will be key Chiefs architect

By CHRIS RATTUE

The appointment of John Mitchell as coach signalled a new era for the Chiefs as they try to wriggle free of a Super 12 rugby history full of inconsistency and disappointment.

But among the list of provincial player transfers confirmed at the end of November lay another significant change in direction for the Hamilton-based franchise.

Waikato's recruitment of first five-eighths David Hill from Southland indicated there would be a new player in the driving seat for not only the Mooloo men's NPC campaigns, but for the Chiefs as well.

Hill, who signed a three-year deal with Waikato, will be the most significant new name in the Chiefs' line-up which will be revealed on Monday, when New Zealand's five Super 12 squads will be publicly named.

It seems that Glen Jackson's time is up in the crucial pivot role. His inability to dictate games, make the right decisions at the right time, and his missing of crucial goal-kicks, have counted against him.

He could still make the squad. Jackson considered joining North Harbour, but was persuaded instead to head to Bay of Plenty as the Chiefs made it clear that he would not be considered if he moved out of their franchise area.

Hill, though, is the man that Mitchell is obviously placing his faith in.

It has been a rapid rise for the 22-year-old, who is a cousin of New Zealand cricket spin bowler Daniel Vettori.

He has plenty of Waikato pedigree. His mother was raised in Hamilton, and Hill's grandparents still live there.

Hill, whose mother is a sibling of Vettori's father, took up rugby only in his final year at Marlborough College. Soccer, basketball and cricket had been his go until then. (His father, Tony, was a Central Districts cricket selector and his brother, Joseph, is a batsman in the Central side).

Hill, who describes himself as "half Italian" through the Vettori side of the family, played a couple of seasons in that country and made his way into the NPC with Southland.

Despite Southland's struggles, he has shown up as a genuine rugby talent.

He will join a Chiefs squad who are showing more in the player losses than the player gains column so far.

Flankers Glen Marsh and Nick Holten have gone to Japan, and centre George Leaupepe has headed to Highlanders country.

Stalwart prop Paul Martin failed even to make the extended training squad, fellow front-rower Michael Collins is still sidelined by a leg injury, Isitolo Maka has headed overseas, and last season's captain, Glenn Taylor, turned down a Japanese offer and will surely not be ignored by Blues coach Gordon Hunter this time.

The tight five have long been a Chiefs' problem and David Briggs and Deacon Manu are left as their only recognised props.

King Country's Daniel Godbold could join them, but the Chiefs are believed to be scouring the draft pool for prop support.

Deon Muir is set to become the new Chiefs' captain, and will finally get his chance to secure his place as their leading No 8 after imports Dylan Mika and Maka frustrated his Super 12 hopes.

Mitchell, Muir and Hill are shaping as the vital new influences in a side who will play their home matches in Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga because Rugby Park in Hamilton is being redeveloped and Pukekohe has failed to attract significant audiences.

Other factors in Monday's announcement include.-

* The Blues have lost Adrian Cashmore, Mika and Andrew Blowers overseas, but will have No 8 Ron Cribb back from the Crusaders, Taylor from the Chiefs and injury-troubled centre Jeremy Stanley back from Otago.

* Wellington lured North Harbour prop Tony Coughlan into Hurricanes territory on the promise of a Super 12 contract.

* Ex-Broncos and Australian rugby league forward Brad Thorn will make the Crusaders squad, with new No 8 Sam Broomhall and young halfback Ben Hurst. Inside back Mark Mayerhofler has gone to France and lock Steve Lancaster has retired.

* Jeff Wilson will return to rugby in the Highlanders' squad, and will have new outside backs Leaupepe, from Counties Manukau, and Colts wing Neil Brew, from Taranaki, alongside him.

* Josh Kronfeld has quit New Zealand rugby for Europe.