The Waikato Chiefs (popular name), or the Chiefs (official name), are a New Zealand Rugby Union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand, and representing the Counties Manukau, Waikato, Thames Valley, King Country and Bay of Plenty unions. They compete in the Super 12 competition, in which it has been the least successful of the competition's five New Zealand sides; from the inaugural competition in 1996 through 2003, the Chiefs had been the only New Zealand side that never qualified for the Super 12 semifinals. In 2004, the Chiefs finally earned their first semifinal berth, although they bowed out in 4th place, defeated 37-20 in the semifinal by the ACT Brumbies.

Super 12 positions

1996 ..	7th
1997 ..	11th
1998 ..	7th
1999 ..	6th
2000 ..	10th
2001 ..	6th
2002 ..	8th
2003 ..	10th
2004 ..	4th	.. (lost semi-final to ACT Brumbies)

External link

• Official site (http://www.chiefs.co.nz/)

	SANZAR rugby union links	edit  (http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Template:SANZAR_links)
Federation Links Australian Rugby Union | New Zealand Rugby Football Union | South Africa Rugby Football Union
Competitons Super 12 | Tri Nations
National teams Australia | New Zealand | South Africa
Super 12 teams Blues | Brumbies | Bulls | Cats | Chiefs | Crusaders | Highlanders | Hurricanes | Reds | Sharks | Stormers | Waratahs