The Chiefs were formed in 1996. They represent the New Zealand Rugby Provincial Unions of Counties Manukau, Waikato, Thames Valley, King Country & Bay of Planty. Their home ground is Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Their colours are Black with Red & Yellow trim.
The Chiefs play 7 games at Home & 6 Away in the 2010 season. Their bye is in the 6th round.
Their 2010 coach is Ian Foster.
Previous coaches were: Brad Meurant, Ross Cooper, John Mitchell (now Western Force) & Kevin Greene.
The captain is current All Black fullback Mils Muliaina.
Current & past All Blacks in the 2009 squad are: Sione Lauaki, Aled de Malmanche, Mike Delany, Tanerau Latimer, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Richard Kahui, Hikawera Elliot, Brendon Leonard, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Kevin O'Neill & Stephen Donald.
 The Chiefs finished in 2nd position at the end of the 2009 round-robin stages.
They have finished in the top 4 of the round-robin stages of the competition twice in 14 years, in 2004 & 2009. Their worst finish was 11th out of 12 in 1997.
In the Top 4 play-offs in 2004 they did not reach the final, however they were in the 2009 final, beaten by the Bulls.
Their Home & Away winning percentage is 60% & 36% respectively. Their average Home & Away scores against all teams is: 27.9 v 22.6 at Home & 23.8 v 29.5 Away. Their toughest opponents at Home have been the Blues, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Sharks & Crusaders & Away are the Crusaders, closely followed by the Lions, Sharks, Bulls & Waratahs.
Their best score was 64-36 against the Western force in 2007. The best winning margin was (+38) against the Cats (now Lions) in 1997. Their worst score & losing margin (-50) was 3-53 also against the Lions in 2000.
They are 6th on the New Zealand TAB fixed odds to win the competition @ $11. On overseas betting places they are also picked at 6th @ $9.
Their website is: www.chiefs.co.nz