New Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland is confident he has the makings of a title-winning team for his return to the Super Rugby fold next year.
On Tuesday, their official 39-man squad for the 2020 season was confirmed, including nine new faces, on top of an established foundation of experience, highlighted by the return of marquee signing Aaron Cruden.
Gatland believes the former All Black pivot will fill the leadership void left by Brodie Retallick, who's taking a one-year sabbatical in Japan.
Cruden won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs, before heading to France to play for Montpellier after the 2017 campaign.
"I'm very excited about this group of young men we have assembled, which has a good spread of talented players from throughout our Chiefs region," said Gatland.
"We have a strong core group of leaders. Despite losing the leadership and outstanding Brodie Retallick, we regain former co-captain Aaron Cruden."
"We have retained a large contingent of the squad for the season ahead, which will provide us with a good platform to build on. Adding in a great combination of young talent, we believe the squad we have assembled will thrive in the environment and collectively deliver for the club as a unit."
Among the four rookies joining the forwards are 20-year-old Wellington lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi and South African-born loose forward Dylan Nel.
Taranaki hooker Bradley Slater has been named in the squad for the first time, although he has two Super Rugby caps to his name.
The backs welcome aboard Taranaki halfback Lisati Milo-Harris and teammate Kini Naholo - the brother of former All Black Waisake Naholo - who's excelled with the amber and blacks.
Waikato's Quinn Tupaea and Bay of Plenty playmaker Kaleb Trask have also made the cut.
The Chiefs kick their Super Rugby season off against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday January 31.
Chiefs squad: Nathan Harris, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ryan Coxon, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Reuben O'Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta'avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tyler Ardron, Michael Allardice, Laghlan McWhannell, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Dylan Nel, Lisati Milo-Harris, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Tiaan Falcon, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask, Orbyn Leger, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan, Solomon Alaimalo, Sam McNicol, Kini Naholo, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui.
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