Chiefs to start season in Christchurch

• Author: RUGBY
• Published date: 29 September 2022
• Publication title: Te Awamutu Courier

The opening round kicks off on February 24 with the Chiefs facing the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, with Super Round Melbourne the following weekend

The Gallagher Chiefs will play all teams in 2023 for a total of 14 matches in the regular season — eleven round-robin fixtures, plus three rivalry matches that will see them play a home and away series against the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders.

The top eight teams from the round-robin will qualify for finals to play off in a three-week series.

The first home game for the season will be in round three against the Highlanders.

The Gallagher Chiefs prevailed against the South Island side in last season’s opener, played in the Queenstown bubble.

Due to the pandemic, 2023 will be the first time in two years that the Highlanders will have played at FMG Stadium Waikato, so the Chiefs Rugby Club looks forward to welcoming them back.

Back-to-back with the Highlanders game, the Gallagher Chiefs will play the Rebels in their only afternoon scheduled game at home.

Like the Highlanders, it has been many years since the Rebels played at the Chiefs’ home ground. The last time was in 2016 when they were beaten 36-15.

April brings with it three weekends of home games for Chiefs fans.

Neighbouring rivals the...