Wynne Gray: Chiefs make big changes to squad

The Chiefs have shed a list of strong performers who have moved to other ventures, succumbed to injury, advancing years or been overtaken by new talent.

Successful sports teams always tinker and work on their next ideas. The All Blacks are top of the world ratings and continue to unpick and remodel their strategies.

That sort of change is an inevitable necessity in the search for success as the Chiefs have shown in their turnover of players for the next Super 15 season.

They have shed a list of strong performers who have moved to other ventures, succumbed to injury, advancing years or been overtaken by new talent.

Among those passing the exit sign are Gareth Anscombe, Robbie Robinson, Mils Muliaina, Asaeli Tikorotuma, Bundee Aki, Robbie Fruean, Nick Crosswell, Ross Filipo, Tanerau Latimer, Mahonri Schwalger, Hika Elliot and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

A grab-bag of new faces is impressive, with Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, James Lowe, Bryce Heem and Seta Taminavalu offering size, pace and loads of skill in the backline. Add in the enterprising McKenzie brothers Damian and Marty with Quentin MacDonald and Japan captain Michael Leitch coming into the forwards and it's clear the Chiefs' selectors have been busy.

A trio of billboard names have gone from the Blues.

Piri Weepu is working in the UK, Benji Marshall is back in Oz and Ma'a Nonu has returned to his Hurricanes roots. Surplus for the next campaign are lock Liaki Moli and five-eighths Baden Kerr.

Ihaia West, Simon Hickey and Daniel Bowden will scrap for that role with service either from Bryn Hall or new signing and former All Black Jimmy Cowan.

Steady lock Josh Bekhuis has been lured north and Culum Retallick has been given a 2015 warrant of fitness on his damaged knee in a squad which will be led by new captain Jerome Kaino.

The Hurricanes have nailed Nonu and Jason Woodward to their storied backline roster while the pack has added No 8 Blade Thomson but does not appear to have added any more potency to the tight five.

Regular achievers the Crusaders have reclaimed Robbie Fruean from heart problems and the Chiefs to give some size to their backline, Jone Macilai adds pace to the wing and Daniel Carter is expected to give them time and class after missing most of this year.

Ged Robinson brings experience at hooker which vanishes with Corey Flynn's departure while George and Adam Whitelock, Zac Guildford and Tyler Bleyendaal have all moved on.

Form Northland flanker Dan Pryor moves from one end of the land to the Highlanders, collecting Tasman points machine Marty Banks, skipper Shane Christie and three other teammates on the way.

Well-travelled hooker Ash Dixon and Canes lock Mark Reddish travel south where coach Jamie Joseph has shed Brad Thorn, Jarred Hoeata, Bekhuis, TJ Ioane, Willie Ripia and Winston Stanley from his roster.