About Chiefs Rugby Club | Gallagher Chiefs & Chiefs Manawa

OUR STORY

chiefs rugby club

The Chiefs Rugby Club was founded in 1996 for the inaugural Super 12 season. The team, initially called the Waikato Chiefs, was one of the five New Zealand professional rugby unions (alongside the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Blues and Highlanders) who joined the competition and remain part of it still today.  

Based in Hamilton, New Zealand the Chiefs’ primary home ground is FMG Stadium Waikato which is central to the six provincial unions that make up Chiefs Country. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Counties Manukau are regions that play in the National Provincial Championship (NPC), with Thames Valley and King Country competing in the Heartland Championship.

The Chiefs field three main teams now, the Gallagher Chiefs who compete in DHL Super Rugby Pacific, the Chiefs Manawa who compete in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and their age-group team the University of Waikato Chiefs U20s.

The Chiefs teams play in red, black and yellow colours with jerseys in recent years having strong Māori cultural elements to tie the club to its region. Māori culture, values and traditions are also a cornerstone of the club’s culture, implemented during Dave Rennie’s time as head coach and continued by current head coach Clayton McMillan.

hītori & rārangi wā

history & timeline

1996

Chiefs founded for the inaugural Super 12 season. Known as the Waikato Chiefs in the early years

2002

Winger Roger Randle sets the franchise record for most tries in a season (12) from 11 appearances.

2004

Chiefs qualify for a Super Rugby semi-final for the first time

2009

Become finalists for the first time but lose to the Bulls 61-17

2012

Dave Rennie was named as head coach and Wayne Smith as assistant coach
Chiefs claimed their first title by beating the Sharks 37-6 at home.

2013

Chiefs became the fourth team ever to win back-to-back titles
Win the BNZ Cup for being the New Zealand team with the best record in intra-conference matches.
Taranaki shifts affiliation from Hurricanes to join Chiefs

2016

First NZ Super Rugby franchise to defeat an international team when they defeat Wales 40-7.
Gallagher comes on board as principal partner, naming rights sponsor and front-of-jersey sponsor of the Chiefs

2019

Wales head coach Warren Gatland named as Gallagher Chiefs head coach.
Chiefs break record for most consecutive playoff appearances by a Super Rugby team (8)

2021

Loose Forward Liam Messam sets the franchise record for most games played (183)
Clayton McMillan named as Interim Head Coach for Gallagher Chiefs. The team went on to face Crusaders for the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Chiefs Manawa play first women’s Super Rugby match against the Blues at Eden Park

2022

Super Rugby Aupiki competition was established with Chiefs Manawa taking out the inaugural title under coach Allan Bunting going unbeaten all season.

2023

Gallagher Chiefs win a franchise record 10 games in a row, one more than the 2012 season 9 games in a row.
Gallagher Chiefs host Super Rugby Pacific final for the first time since 2013 at FMG Stadium Waikato
All Black and Gallagher Chiefs captain Sam Cane celebrates his 150th game at the Super Rugby Pacific final becoming the second most capped Chief of all time.
Chiefs Manawa continued their unbeaten streak until the Super Rugby Aupiki final against Matatū where they were defeated 33-31.

2024

Gallagher Chiefs set franchise record for most tries in a game (10) and biggest winning margin (68-12) against Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato

Matapono & uara

mission & VALUES

Winning with purpose

Kaitiakitanga

Guardianship and Protection

We are committed to protecting and enhancing the people, places, and traditions that shape our identity.

At Chiefs Rugby we act with responsibility and care – whether it’s fostering sustainable practices, nurturing our communities, or honouring the legacy of our region. By embracing kaitiakitanga, we ensure that our actions today create a positive impact for future generations, both on and off the field.

Whanaungatanga

We build strong relationships, we appreciate and value people

Fostering relationships and a sense of belonging is at the heart of the club.

We are dedicated to creating meaningful connections – our team, our fans, our sponsors and across our communities. Collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support are integral to the way we operate and by cultivating a spirit of unity, we strengthen the bonds that make us more than just a club – we are a whānau.

Rangatiratanga

Leading with integrity

We are inspired to lead with integrity, uphold our values and empower those around us.

Ranagtiratanga challenges us to set and maintain the highest of standard, take ownership of our actions and create opportunities for growth and innovation, on and off the field.

Home Jersey
Away Jersey
Training Jersey

our jersey story

home jersey

The home jersey will be worn by both the Gallagher Chiefs and Chiefs Manawa teams.  

Featuring prominently is the Huia bird whose feathers were tapu for Māori and worn by great Chiefs into battle. The presence of both male and female Huia signifies the unified approach and the collective mindset of the Chiefs Rugby Club teams.  

The kōwhaiwhai (ornate swirls) depicted across the jersey represent the flow of the waterways throughout the region connecting the Chiefs with sponsors, members, players, clubs and supporters.  

The Huia are depicted looking inwards at the taniwha (the protector) and the beating heart of the Chief (the player) who wears the jersey.

our jersey story

Gallagher Chiefs Away Jersey

The away jersey also features the flowing kōwhaiwhai (ornate swirls) representing the waterways of the region that connect our team back to home when they are away.

The taniwha is shown prominently in this jersey holding onto the bend of the river. The saying he piko he taniwha (at every bend a taniwha) is represented by its many arms and legs holding onto the kōwhaiwhai. This symbolises how the Chiefs whānau are all connected by the waterways and collectively protected by the taniwha.

The Kōtuku (white heron) or He kōtuku rerenga tahi (a bird of single flight) represents the standout performances in games. Like sightings of the Kōtuku, these are often rare, special and treasured moments.

our jersey story

TRAINING jersey

The training jersey is influenced by Rongo-mā-Tāne (the god of cultivation) with the taniwha holding the kō (kumara digging stick) to represent the preparation the teams do ahead of gameday.

The taniwha is depicted wrapped around our regions and holds onto the six feathers of the Huia in the centre of the jersey that symbolise the provincial unions of the Chiefs region – Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley, Counties Manukau and King Country.

Te raranga harakeke (the flax weave) shown at the top of the jersey symbolises nurturing and caring for people which is a core value of the Chiefs Rugby Club.