2012 Chiefs season

In 2012, following the disappointing results of previous years, the Chiefs underwent a significant change in personnel. This included the recruitment of new coaches, including Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith, and players, including Aaron Cruden, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick and Sonny Bill Williams. The changes had an immediate impact as the Chiefs finished at the top of the New Zealand conference, qualifying for a home semi-final, which they won, defeating the Crusaders 20–17. They subsequently hosted the final for the first time in the teams's history, comprehensively defeating the Sharks by 37–6, claiming their first title. They also set many club records in the 2012 season, including: most home wins, best home streak, best season winning streak, and most points and tries scored.[1]

Chiefs

2012 season
Head coach	Dave Rennie
Captains	Craig Clarke Liam Messam
Stadium	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Overall Competition	2nd
N.Z. Conference	1st
Play-offs	Champions
Record	Won 14, Lost 4
Top try scorer	All: Sona Taumalolo (9)
Top points scorer	All: Aaron Cruden (251)
← 2011 2013 →

Standings

The final standings of the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[2]

New Zealand Conference
Pos	Team	Rnd	W	D	L	Bye	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Chiefs	18	12	0	4	2	444	358	+86	47	30	5	3	64
2	Crusaders	18	11	0	5	2	485	343	+142	47	34	5	4	61
3	Hurricanes	18	10	0	6	2	489	429	+60	58	39	8	1	57
4	Highlanders	18	9	0	7	2	359	385	-26	36	31	2	4	50
5	Blues	18	4	0	12	2	359	430	-71	34	50	2	6	32

Overall Standings
Pos	Team	Rnd	W	D	L	Bye	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Stormers	18	14	0	2	2	350	254	+96	28	21	0	2	66
2	Chiefs	18	12	0	4	2	444	358	+86	47	30	5	3	64
3	Reds	18	11	0	5	2	359	347	+12	38	36	4	2	58
4	Crusaders	18	11	0	5	2	485	343	+142	47	34	5	4	61
5	Bulls	18	10	0	6	2	472	369	+103	50	38	6	5	59
6	Sharks	18	10	0	6	2	436	348	+88	47	31	7	4	59
7	Brumbies	18	10	0	6	2	404	331	+73	41	31	5	5	58
8	Hurricanes	18	10	0	6	2	489	429	+60	58	39	8	1	57
9	Highlanders	18	9	0	7	2	359	385	-26	36	31	2	4	50
10	Cheetahs	18	5	0	11	2	391	458	-67	35	47	3	7	38
11	Waratahs	18	4	0	12	2	346	407	-61	33	43	3	8	35
12	Blues	18	4	0	12	2	359	430	-71	34	50	2	6	32
13	Rebels	18	4	0	12	2	362	520	-158	37	59	3	5	32
14	Force	18	3	0	13	2	306	440	-134	30	49	2	5	27
15	Lions	18	3	0	13	2	317	460	-143	30	52	2	3	25

Results

The results of the Chiefs during the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[3]

Round 1	25 February 2012	Chiefs	19–23	Highlanders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Lelia Masaga  14' Con: Aaron Cruden 15' (1/1) Pen: Aaron Cruden 5', 32', 37', 50' (4/4)	Scoreboard[4]	Try: Aaron Smith  61' Phil Burleigh  65' Con: Chris Noakes 62', 66' (2/2) Pen: Chris Noakes 2', 12', 27' (3/3)	Attendance: 12,058 Referee: Jonathon White

Round 2	2 March 2012	Chiefs	29–14	Blues	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Sona Taumalolo  4' Asaeli Tikoirotuma  23' Tawera Kerr-Barlow  30' Tim Nanai-Williams  34' Con: Aaron Cruden 5', 24', 31' (3/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden 8' (1/2)	Scoreboard[5]	Try: Sherwin Stowers  77' Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1) Pen: Michael Hobbs 15', 22', 55' (3/5) Drop: Michael Hobbs (0/1)	Attendance: 12,133 Referee: Keith Brown

Round 3	9 March 2012	Crusaders	19–24	Chiefs	McLean Park, Napier
	19:35	Try: Robert Fruean  49' Con: Tyler Bleyendaal 50' (1/1) Pen: Tyler Bleyendaal 9', 35', 61', 64' (4/5)	Scoreboard[6]	Try: Liam Messam  26' Sona Taumalolo  57' Con: Aaron Cruden 27' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 2', 22', 38', 77' (4/7)	Attendance: 12,500 Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 4	16 March 2012	Chiefs	29–22	Brumbies	Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
	19:35	Try: Sona Taumalolo  68' Jackson Willison  79' Con: Aaron Cruden 69', 80' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 10', 14', 27', 49', 55' (5/5)	Scoreboard[7]	Try: Sam Carter  75' Con: Christian Lealiifano (1/1) Pen: Christian Lealiifano 4', 21', 35', 45', 64' (5/6)	Attendance: 12,238 Referee: Ian Smith

Round 6	31 March 2012	Chiefs	30–13	Waratahs	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Robbie Robinson  9' Sona Taumalolo  42' Liam Messam  64' Con: Aaron Cruden 10', 43', 65' (3/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 31', 35', 62' (3/3)	Scoreboard[8]	Try: Tom Kingston  5' Con: Brendan McKibbin 6' (1/1) Pen: Brendan McKibbin 25', 48' (2/3)	Attendance: 11,643 Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 7	6 April 2012	Force	12–20	Chiefs	nib Stadium, Perth
	19:40	Pen: David Harvey 9', 21', 51', 57' (4/5)	Scoreboard[9]	Try: Lelia Masaga  15' Tim Nanai-Williams  48' Con: Aaron Cruden 16', 49' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 53', 69' (2/3)	Attendance: 17,112 Referee: Jonathon White

Round 8	14 April 2012	Cheetahs	33–39	Chiefs	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
	17:05	Try: Ashley Johnson  52' Johan Goosen  78' Con: Johan Goosen 53' (1/2) Pen: Sias Ebersohn 6', 24', 40', 50' (4/4) Johan Goosen 56', 62', 83' (3/3) Drop: Sias Ebersohn (0/0)	Scoreboard[10]	Try: Lelia Masaga  20' Sona Taumalolo  47', 67' Sonny Bill Williams  72' Richard Kahui  74' Con: Aaron Cruden 21', 48', 73', 75' (4/5) Pen: Aaron Cruden 9', 59' (2/2)	Attendance: 17,163 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Round 9	21 April 2012	Sharks	12–18	Chiefs	Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
	17:05	Pen: Patrick Lambie 40', 48', 52', 67' (4/5)	Scoreboard[11]	Try: Aaron Cruden  19' Augustine Pulu  81' Con: Aaron Cruden 20' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 30', 62' (2/3)	Attendance: 26,773 Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 10	28 April 2012	Chiefs	33–14	Hurricanes	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Lelia Masaga  45' Sona Taumalolo  65' Toby Smith  76' Con: Aaron Cruden 46', 66', 77' (3/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 5', 15', 25', 28' (4/5)	Scoreboard[12]	Try: Andre Taylor  35' Con: Beauden Barrett (0/1) Pen: Beauden Barrett 19', 49', 57' (3/4) Drop: Beauden Barrett (0/1)	Attendance: 22,119 Referee: Jonathon White

Round 11	5 May 2012	Chiefs	34–21	Lions	ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
	19:35	Try: Aaron Cruden  19' Craig Clarke  28' Lelia Masaga  49' Brendon Leonard  56' Con: Aaron Cruden 20', 29', 50', 57' (4/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden 4', 15' (2/2)	Scoreboard[13]	Try: Cobus Grobbelaar  34', 68' Josh Strauss  53' Con: Elton Jantjies 35', 54', 69' (3/3)	Attendance: 12,364 Referee: Ian Smith

Round 12	13 May 2012	Reds	42–27	Chiefs	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	16:10	Try: Dom Shipperley  4' Ben Lucas  40' Scott Higginbotham  42' Will Genia  47' Saia Fainga'a  51' Con: Mike Harris 40', 43', 48', 52' (4/5) Pen: Mike Harris 20', 76' (2/2) Drop: Mike Harris 64' (1/1)	Scoreboard[14]	Try: Sonny Bill Williams  30' Liam Messam  33' Sona Taumalolo  38' Asaeli Tikoirotuma  59' Con: Aaron Cruden 31', 34' (2/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden 16' (1/1)	Attendance: 36,479 Referee: Marius Jonker

Round 14	25 May 2012	Chiefs	28–22	Bulls	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Andrew Horrell  24' Asaeli Tikoirotuma  58' Sam Cane  69' Con: Aaron Cruden 59', 70' (2/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 15', 46', 53' (3/3)	Scoreboard[15]	Try: Bjorn Basson  40' Con: Morné Steyn 40' (1/1) Pen: Morné Steyn 7', 35', 50', 62' (4/4) Drop: Morné Steyn 23' (1/2)	Attendance: 18,482 Referee: Mark Lawrence

Round 15	2 June 2012	Blues	34–41	Chiefs	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	19:35	Try: Francis Saili  13' Lachie Munro  39' Rudi Wulf  62' Rene Ranger  65' Con: Lachie Munro 14', 40', 63', 66' (4/4) Pen: Lachie Munro 29', 37' (2/2) Cards: Steven Luatua 34' to 44'	Scoreboard[16]	Try: Asaeli Tikoirotuma  15', 45', 55', 70' Sonny Bill Williams  31' Con: Aaron Cruden 16', 32', 46', 56', 71' (5/5) Pen: Aaron Cruden 4', 27' (2/3) Cards: Maritino Nemani 33' to 44' Michael Fitzgerald 59' to 69'	Attendance: 20,200 Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 16	29 June 2012	Highlanders	21–27	Chiefs	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
	19:35	Try: Andrew Hore  46' Hosea Gear  75' Con: Chris Noakes (0/1) Mike Delany 76' (1/1) Pen: Chris Noakes 8', 19', 30' (3/5)	Scoreboard[17]	Try: Tim Nanai-Williams  2' Robbie Robinson  38' Con: Aaron Cruden 3' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 12', 40', 41', 64', 68' (5/6)	Attendance: 17,401 Referee: Garratt Williamson

Round 17	6 July 2012	Chiefs	21–28	Crusaders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Brodie Retallick  30' Sonny Bill Williams  55' Con: Aaron Cruden 31' (1/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 3', 16', 37' (3/4)	Scoreboard[18]	Try: Kieran Read  10' Luke Romano  21' Andrew Ellis  52' Con: Dan Carter 11', 22' (2/3) Pen: Dan Carter 7' (1/3) Drop: Dan Carter 17' (1/1)	Attendance: 25,100 Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 18	13 July 2012	Hurricanes	28–25	Chiefs	Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Try: Julian Savea  12', 24' Dane Coles  85' Con: Beauden Barrett 25', 86' (2/3) Pen: Beauden Barrett 7', 40', 62' (3/6) Cards: Ben May 28' to 39'	Scoreboard[19]	Try: Tawera Kerr-Barlow  3' Ben Tameifuna  38' Aaron Cruden  57' Con: Aaron Cruden 4', 58' (2/3) Pen: Aaron Cruden 32', 66' (2/4)	Attendance: 23,549 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Semi-Final	27 July 2012	Chiefs	20–17	Crusaders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Sona Taumalolo  26' Liam Messam  33' Con: Aaron Cruden 27', 35' (2/2) Pen: Aaron Cruden 3', 50' (2/5)	Scoreboard[20]	Try: Ryan Crotty  40' Con: Dan Carter (0/1) Pen: Dan Carter 15', 32', 45', 62' (4/5)	Attendance: 25,100 Referee: Craig Joubert

Final	4 August 2012	Chiefs	37–6	Sharks	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Try: Tim Nanai-Williams  19' Kane Thompson  46' Lelia Masaga  61' Sonny Bill Williams  77' Con: Aaron Cruden 20', 47', 62', 78' (4/4) Pen: Aaron Cruden 25', 34', 72' (3/5)	Scoreboard[21]	Pen: Frédéric Michalak 6', 52' (2/2)	Attendance: 25,100 Referee: Steve Walsh

Squad

The Chiefs squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season were:[22]

2013 Chiefs squad
Props Ben Afeaki Shane Cleaver Josh Hohneck Toby Smith Ben Tameifuna Sona Taumalolo Hookers Marcel Cummings-Toone Hika Elliot Mahonri Schwalger Locks Craig Clarke (c) Michael Fitzgerald Romana Graham Brodie Retallick Kane Thompson	Loose Forwards Alex Bradley Sam Cane Tanerau Latimer Fritz Lee Liam Messam (c) Scott Waldrom Scrum-halves Tawera Kerr-Barlow Brendon Leonard Augustine Pulu Fly-halves Aaron Cruden Andrew Horrell	Midfield Richard Kahui Asaeli Tikoirotuma Sonny Bill Williams Jackson Willison Wingers Lelia Masaga Tim Nanai-Williams Maritino Nemani Declan O'Donnell Fullbacks Robbie Robinson
(c) denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped.

Player statistics

The Chiefs players' appearance and scoring statistics for the 2012 Super Rugby season are:

Player	Apps	Tries	Cons	Pens	DGs	Pts	YC	RC
Ben Afeaki	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Alex Bradley	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Sam Cane	18	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Craig Clarke	16	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Shane Cleaver	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Aaron Cruden	18	3	43	50	-	251	-	-
Marcel Cummings-Toone	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Hika Elliot	16	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Michael Fitzgerald	12	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
Romana Graham	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Josh Hohneck	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Andrew Horrell	14	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Richard Kahui	11	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Tawera Kerr-Barlow	16	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Tanerau Latimer	17	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Fritz Lee	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brendon Leonard	8	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Lelia Masaga	13	6	-	-	-	30	-	-
Liam Messam	17	4	-	-	-	20	-	-
Tim Nanai-Williams	13	4	-	-	-	20	-	-
Maritino Nemani	4	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
Declan O'Donnell	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Augustine Pulu	8	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Brodie Retallick	17	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Robbie Robinson	15	2	-	-	-	10	-	-
Mahonri Schwalger	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Toby Smith	8	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Ben Tameifuna	16	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Sona Taumalolo	18	9	-	-	-	45	-	-
Kane Thompson	13	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Asaeli Tikoirotuma	15	7	-	-	-	35	-	-
Scott Waldrom	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Sonny Bill Williams	18	5	-	-	-	25	-	-
Jackson Willison	13	1	-	-	-	5	-	-
Total	18	53	43	50	-	501	2	-

Notes and references

1. http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/2012-super-rugby-end-of-season-awards/
2. "SA Rugby Log – 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
3. "SA Rugby Squad – Chiefs : 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 19-23 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 29-14 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 19-24 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 29-22 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 30-13 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Force 12-20 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Cheetahs 33-39 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
11. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks 12-18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 33-14 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
13. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 34-21 MTN Lions". South African Rugby Union. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
14. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Reds 42-27 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
15. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 28-22 Vodacom Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
16. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 34-41 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
17. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 21-27 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
18. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 21-28 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
19. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 28-25 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 20-17 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
21. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 37-6 Sharks". South African Rugby Union. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
22. "Chiefs 2012 Super Rugby Squad". SuperXV. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.

External links

• Official Chiefs website
• Official Super Rugby website
• Official Facebook page