Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is hoping a decision to delay the start to their preseason will help them in next year's Super Rugby Pacific competition, but admits it could all go spectacularly wrong.
Clayton McMillan Photo: PHOTOSPORT
While most teams have a month before Christmas to get the majority of their squad up to speed, McMillan decided to take things easy.
"We consciously made a decision to start late.
"We had the ability to assemble the players for a four week period prior to Christmas, but we elected to only bring them in for a couple of weeks.
"With All Black and All Black XV players unavailable that was one of the deciding factors."
McMillan is entering his third season in charge of the Chiefs... his first two both being affected by global issues.
"The other reason is to try and freshen players up as it's been a long couple of seasons
"With Covid around it feels like a lot of back-to-back campaigns so I felt that giving the boys a couple of extra weeks (off) this side of Christmas will pay dividends later on next year."
McMillan has been very happy with those that have been involved.
"The boys have come in and worked extremely hard.
"Like everybody we're trying to find an edge and bring something different to the table in terms of how we want to play the game.
"We've been doing a lot of foundation work, capturing a lot of (video) footage, seeing how things work.
"Then when we come back in the New Year with some of the All Black and All Black XV players returning we'll be ready to make the most of that month before we start playing preseason games.
McMillan is concerned by the amount of rugby some of his players have been involved in with many having gone from a Super Rugby season to international fixtures then NPC followed by All Blacks or Black Blacks XV and now back into pre-season.
Chiefs fans Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"That's all good and well and the players love to be here but when you get to May-June next year we're better off to have given our guys a little bit of an extended break at this end of the year rather than wishing we had done it when we get tired bodies at the back end of the season.
"It could go spectacularly wrong, I could be making a poor decision, but I guess time will tell.
The Chiefs will return to training on January 9th with their All Blacks joining up in late January.
The Chiefs signed Irish prop John Ryan this week to replace the injured Angus Ta'avao.
Chiefs director of rugby Warren Gatland has returned to Wales to coach their national side again.
The Chiefs won back to back titles in 2012-13 and made the semi-finals of Super Rugby Pacific last season.
Chiefs squad:
Hookers: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson
Props: Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, John Ryan, Ollie Norris, George Dyer*, Jared Proffit*.
Locks: Tupou Vaa'i, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau.
Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima
First five-eighths: Bryn Gatland, Damian McKenzie, Josh Ioane.
Midfielders: Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai.
Outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Rivez Reihana, Peniasi Malimali*.
Key Gains: Damian McKenzie (Japan); Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Highlanders), Ngatungane Punivai (Highlanders), John Ryan (Ireland).
On the move: Kaleb Trask (Japan), Jonah Lowe (Highlanders), Chase Tiatia (Western Force).
*Denotes players on a full Super Rugby Pacific contract for the first time.
