That confidence was justified, as in the end, the Chiefs came away with the win, even though by a small margin: They defeated the Canterbury Crusaders 27-26.
“It was probably the quickest 80 minutes we ever played… There was such an anticipation, it felt like [the match] was over so quickly.”
Turner admitted the Chiefs “underachieved overall” in the 1996 competition, placing sixth out of 12, and didn’t make the playoffs, but he’d still call his team’s first season a success.
“Rugby was in its infancy in terms of professionalism.
“Everything we did was new.
“We were the guinea pigs – there was not much of a manual. We forged our own path in a way.”
Speaking about being part of the new competition in general, Turner said it came with a lot of changes, including going from training two to three times a week to “training all day every day”.
“Diet and recovery became a big part … It was a lifestyle change for a lot of guys.”
Action from the Chiefs’ first ever match in 1996 against the Crusaders in Hamilton. Photo / Andrew Cornaga, Photosport
He said it was a “more controlled environment”, with the players being in the spotlight more and monitored on “all levels”.
“We were excited to get into this [though].”
For Turner, who used to play for North Harbour, the biggest challenge was unifying the provinces that were part of one franchise.
The first Chiefs team included players from Northland, North Harbour, Thames Valley, King Country, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
“Bringing together provinces that were, in some cases, fierce rivals, especially the fans [was challenging].
Chiefs captain Richard Turner in action during the 1996 season. Photo / Photosport
“It did take a bit to get used to [the fact] that the cowbells were supporting us. Up until then, for some of us [not from Waikato], if you played well enough, you silenced the cowbells.”
Even though Turner is from Auckland and based there these days, he hasn’t switched his allegiance.
“Once a Chief, always a Chief.”
He said he still regularly watches the Chiefs’ matches and would look forward to seeing the game in the stadium in Hamilton this weekend.
“The game has advanced so much. [The players] are better, stronger, faster.”
Former Waikato Chiefs captain Richard Turner.
He said he was confident the 2026 team would repeat the 1996 team’s win, though he feels like it’s going to be by a larger margin.
Current Gallagher Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said he, too, is confident in the team’s ability to win.
“We train and prepared well this week to get the win, whether it’s by two points… or 30 points, we will be stoked.”
Jacobson said while the upcoming match’s connection to 1996 was a nice touch, for the team, it was just as special as any home game.
“It’s a cool privilege to be able to … go out and play a game that was played similarly 30 years ago but at the same time… whether it happened 30 years ago or not, we wanna be able to put ourselves in the best position to win this,” he said.
Action from the Chiefs’ first home game in 2025 against the Crusaders. Photo / Andrew Cornaga, Photosport
“We love playing at home … we feel a real responsibility to … play well … and make it as tough as we can for the opposition team.
“We got the best supporters in the competition. [We are] looking forward to putting out a game [they] can be proud of.”
Jacobson acknowledged the 1996 team’s work, saying they were the shoulders the team stood on today.
However, he said, if the 1996 Chiefs and the 2026 Chiefs were to play each other, the current team would win.
“[They’re] completely different eras, different styles of footie, but I think as athletes, over 30 years, we have become a lot more competitive, stronger, more powerful.
Gallagher Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer
“I’d like to think that we’d beat them.
“The way we work out now, the way that data analysis has come along … it’s the resources that we have available 1772098150 that makes us into better athletes.
“But that’s to no discredit of the 1996 team. If they had the resources we have now, I’d say that’d be a different story.”
Turner agreed.
“I think based simply on modern professional evolution, the current squad would win.
“But the ’96 team would give them a run for their money in certain areas and positions.”
The Chiefs v Crusaders match is on February 28 at 7.05pm at Rugby Park, aka FMG Stadium Waikato, in Hamilton.
Danielle Zollickhofer is the Waikato news director and a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.