What does Chiefs Rugby do?

The Chiefs Rugby Club, officially known as Gallagher Chiefs, is a professional rugby union franchise based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Established in 1996, the club competes in Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa tournaments, representing regions including Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, King Country, Thames Valley, Taranaki, and Ngāti Porou East Coast. The team plays its home games at Waikato Stadium and is recognized for its distinctive black jerseys with yellow and red accents. The Chiefs have a rich history, achieving significant success with Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. They have consistently reached the playoffs in recent years and have made notable achievements, such as being the first New Zealand Super Rugby franchise to defeat an international team. The club also includes a women's team, Chiefs Manawa, which won the inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki in 2022. The Chiefs focus on community engagement and player development, with initiatives like the Chiefs International Academy and the Chiefs Taua development team.