ONE LAST DANCE
DAVE RENNIE WILL END HIS SIX-YEAR STINT AS HEAD COACH IN 2017 AND HE WOULD DEARLY LOVE TO SIGN OFF WITH A THIRD TITLE. LIAM NAPIER WITH THE STORY.
By Dave Rennie standards, it’s been three years of disappointment for the Chiefs. With successive titles in Rennie’s first seasons in charge, the Chiefs have failed to make the big dance since.
They were bundled out in the first round of the finals by the Brumbies [2014] and Highlanders [2015], before being largely blown away in the semifinal against the Hurricanes last year, when they failed to score a try. Of course, Super Rugby’s unjust finals format that guarantees South Africa, Australia and New Zealand each get a first round finals home match hasn’t helped. The Chiefs were forced to travel to Canberra two years ago, and embarrassed the Stormers in Cape Town 60-21 last season, only to turn around and come all the way home to play the Hurricanes. Injuries to key players – the likes of Aaron Cruden and Brodie Retallick – also haven’t helped. But when it comes down to it, Rennie won’t go looking for excuses. He expects more of his men.
Last year, the Chiefs appeared to hit the wall, losing two of their last four regular season games, which ultimately cost them a shot at top spot. The money-making venture to Suva saw them beat the Crusaders, but may have taken something out of them. And that’s back on the agenda this season. Rennie is usually adept at rotating his squad but injuries forced him to dig deep into reserves and frequently call in players from outside. The Chiefs had no trouble winning away from home until the end of the year, which suggests they simply didn’t have enough energy in the tank. Their squad hasn’t changed dramatically from previous campaigns but one could argue they’ve lost more than they have gained. Pauliasi Manu, Augustine Pulu and Seta Tamanivalu in particular are big defections. Don’t expect Rennie to deviate too much from the Chiefs’ core style based around offloading and using little men to create space around the ruck. But tightening their defensive systems is a must. The onus this year will be on the pack to set the platform, and giving Cruden the chance to jink and jive.
There’s also the inescapable hangover surrounding the post-season stripper saga. Much to prove on and off the park, then.