April 25, 2025 • 10 mins
The Chiefs are sitting pretty at the top of the Super Rugby table – five points clear of the Crusaders in second.
It comes after their dominating victory over the Western Force, claiming the win 56-22.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis joined Jason Pine for a chat about the team’s success in this season, and how it influences the club as a whole.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's continue our journey around the New Zealand based Super
rugby franchises and their CEOs. We had the chance to
chat to Roger Clark out of the Highlanders, av and
Lea from the Hurricanes and Colin Mansbridge from the Crusaders
last weekend. We've got Andrew Whore on the show tomorrow
from the Blues. But today chiefs CEO Simon Graffis is
joining us. Simon to be a Philly happy CEO. I
(00:34):
would imagine today after watching your side put fifty on
the force last night and open up a five point
gap at the top.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Yeah, yeah, very happy. I mean yeah, five point gap
halfway through the round. So we see, we'll see what
happens over the next in the course of the next day.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Playing at bay Oval for the first time in over
a decade. How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I mean, we tried to look for some options with
the holiday weekend. Hamilton's a bit tough and and so
you know, I thought some of the destinations around the
region that people go to might be a good option.
So yeah, they Oval. We became aware of the opportunity
to lay Oval and yeah, and the team team there,
(01:23):
we're really easy to work with them and made things happen.
So fantastic to take a game there. Obviously we can't
control the time, so lights, having good lights there was
a factor, so there's pretty limited options to take games away.
But yeah, Bayov was was brilliant with that. Really well.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, no, I look good on the TV, good crowd
by the looks of things as well. I think it
was a sell out. Are you likely to repeat it?
Do you think you'll you'll your luck to take take
further games there?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Look, I think yeah, it was a huge, huge success.
I think absolutely keen to look at taking other games there,
you know, you know, the timing is important, I think
obviously with correct cricket was only played on there four
weeks ago, so there's probably a limited opportunity when we
can have games there. But now I think that the
(02:15):
community got them behind us, you know, the council and
TechEd in Prairie one will help get the game there,
and the crew from bay Oval bent over backwards to
make it happen, which was just fantastic. So it was
for a new venue, actually worked really well, good to hear.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Good to hear. Chiefs were the best team in twenty
twenty three, beaten in the final, made the final last
year beaten by the Blues. Surely this is your year, Simon.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Oh yeah, that's a big call. I mean, I think
we've all seen Yeah. I mean we've been pretty consistent
and haven't quite got the job done, which is obviously
disappointing in those occasions. But yeah, you have to be
the best team on the night in the final if
you can get there. And we've still got a pretty
tough run into I think we've got three local derbies
(03:03):
to go all away, so we've all seen how hard
it is to win on the road. Yeah, there's a
little bit of rugby er to get to get into
the finals, and you know, to make a finals a
big achievement too, So we're not we're not. We're not
counting on that yet.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
It's a little what a good answer, good answer? How
much is is your off field success commercially linked to
the sides on field performances?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Are they really? They're really linked? I think I mean
everyone likes to back winners, don't they, So if you're winning, well,
fans along, so so huge influence and none of us
are in it to come seek in and so there's
all eleven teams that on their day are good enough
(03:49):
to beat each other and every run at the start
of the season thinks are going to win it, which
is which is what what's sports about, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Indeed, you must also it must be a lot easier
to have discussions with your commercial partners too when things
are going well. But I guess you also have to
installate yourself against the roller coaster that is elite sport
when you're talking to your partners, because you can't win
every week, can you?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
No? No? And you know it's tough. I mean, I
think they're being successful helps, but commercially, you know, there's
there's big parts of the economy that are doing that.
They're doing it tough at the moment too, So there's
there's a whole HEAPO factors at play here too. Yeah,
but the team is certainly doing there a bit on
the on the park and that helps us get fans
(04:33):
in and it helps it helps talk to partners as well.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
One of your big players obviously is Damien McKenzie, who
has been retained by yourselves and new Zealand Rugby. How
significant role do the Chiefs play in those negotiations.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I mean, there we play our role. Obviously, the the
using rugby all black component is the big part of
his part of his deal. But no, we were certainly
putting as much pressure on as we could to make
sure we retain them. Someone like Damien's pretty pretty special
for a club and he needs a pretty special talent.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
When will you announce your new coach?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
We'll go through a process post season, and I mean
I think you know, at this stage, everyone's focused on
doing the best this year, and that'll that will probably
help determine determine the outcome if we get anything.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Right, is it likely you'll promote internally?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Look, I think we've got some really good internal candidates,
but it's in you know, public where I have said
that before too, But I think for everyone's sake, we
need to just focus on the season and yeah, and
we'll let that run its course. Post season. You must review.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Yeah, you must expect though that that there'll be high
interest in the role externally as well. I mean, coaching
the Chiefs, it's a terrific job with a great bunch
of players. You must be expecting high interest, are you.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, you would do absolutely for us. That's and and
cultural fit is big for us. So the list of
candidates may not be quite as big as people might think.
You know, I think you know, Clayton has done a
fantastic job and huge, huge shoes to fill. But you know,
(06:24):
we've seen how good he is off the field as
well and what he does. You know, he's pretty special individual.
So he's probably said a bit of a benchmark of
of of what we what we need in the club
and and we've seen the success that that's driven.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
He's a pretty uh, pretty understated character too, isn't he
Did he just knock on your door and say, Simon,
I'm off to Ireland.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, I mean he's you know, he's Clayton's pretty specially
he is. He is quite quiet, but he's you know,
everything he does he does with with dignity and with respect,
and he's you know, he's a very very good individual
around the club as.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Far as you're concerned. And you know, when when somebody
who has been so influential on your team like Clayton
comes to you and says, look, I've made this career decision.
I've been given this opportunity with Munster, I can't really
turn it down. It's it's going to be the right
move for me. Did any part of you want to
try and convince him to stay?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Oh, every part, to be honest, But the reality is,
you know, like he he was upfront and open the
whole way through the process. And in many ways we're developed,
you know, we try to develop, you know, we try
to develop all our people, whether that's players or coaches
(07:44):
or Edmund stuff. And you know, this is part of
his journey in his coaching career. So at some point
we knew that he was going to go. And yeah,
but I would have loved to lock him in a
long term, but I'm not sure that would have been
the right thing for his coaching.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Jenny, dead right, dead right. So what takes up most
of your time on a week to week basis, Simon.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Oh, a number of a number of things, you know,
Like I mean, I'm probably over obviously all areas of
the organization. So you know, from the from the rugby
to the commercial to whether it's sponsors, whether it's you know,
helping with helping the team set up a game at
a new venue like the Bay Oval, dealing with dealing
(08:30):
with shareholders and key partners and stakeholders and rugby and
out of rugby, and yeah, it's a reasonably interesting and
pretty fruitful sort of industry to be involved in.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Can you still watch a game as a fan or
is that just not possible anymore?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Uh? Absolutely watching as a fan, but I probably watched games
a bit different now too. You know, you'll watch a
game and you have a look at what's the off
field piece, what are the fans engaging in, what are
the what's the hospitality offerings? But you know, I'm on
the cur mean for the weekend, so I'll pop down
to the follow the rugby club and watch some club
(09:11):
foody this afternoon as well. So I still love the game,
but I'll probably watched it a little bit differently now
to word wins to good.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
To see your man Wallace. So Titi back out there
last night?
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Eh? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
In the he didn't really look like he'd been off
the pack for too long too, did. He sort of
just slotted straight back in. So I think that's going
to cause Clayton and the coach up group a few
selection problems. But that's as good as you'd have that's
what you're.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
After, Simon. Great to get the chance to chat too today.
Enjoy your club rugby viewing this afternoon. I bet that
must be quite nice to get down to the grassroots
and watch some club rugby. All the best for the
rest of the Chiefs season and let's hope it's the
third time lucky for your franchise.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Yeah, fingers crossed. Yeah, a little bit of work to
do before we get there.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
No, thanks for the time, No, thank you for your time.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's continue our journey around the New Zealand based Super
rugby franchises and their CEOs. We had the chance to
chat to Roger Clark out of the Highlanders, av and
Lea from the Hurricanes and Colin Mansbridge from the Crusaders
last weekend. We've got Andrew Whore on the show tomorrow
from the Blues. But today chiefs CEO Simon Graffis is
joining us. Simon to be a Philly happy CEO. I
(00:34):
would imagine today after watching your side put fifty on
the force last night and open up a five point
gap at the top.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Yeah, yeah, very happy. I mean yeah, five point gap
halfway through the round. So we see, we'll see what
happens over the next in the course of the next day.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Playing at bay Oval for the first time in over
a decade. How did that come about?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I mean, we tried to look for some options with
the holiday weekend. Hamilton's a bit tough and and so
you know, I thought some of the destinations around the
region that people go to might be a good option.
So yeah, they Oval. We became aware of the opportunity
to lay Oval and yeah, and the team team there,
(01:23):
we're really easy to work with them and made things happen.
So fantastic to take a game there. Obviously we can't
control the time, so lights, having good lights there was
a factor, so there's pretty limited options to take games away.
But yeah, Bayov was was brilliant with that. Really well.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, no, I look good on the TV, good crowd
by the looks of things as well. I think it
was a sell out. Are you likely to repeat it?
Do you think you'll you'll your luck to take take
further games there?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Look, I think yeah, it was a huge, huge success.
I think absolutely keen to look at taking other games there,
you know, you know, the timing is important, I think
obviously with correct cricket was only played on there four
weeks ago, so there's probably a limited opportunity when we
can have games there. But now I think that the
(02:15):
community got them behind us, you know, the council and
TechEd in Prairie one will help get the game there,
and the crew from bay Oval bent over backwards to
make it happen, which was just fantastic. So it was
for a new venue, actually worked really well, good to hear.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Good to hear. Chiefs were the best team in twenty
twenty three, beaten in the final, made the final last
year beaten by the Blues. Surely this is your year, Simon.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Oh yeah, that's a big call. I mean, I think
we've all seen Yeah. I mean we've been pretty consistent
and haven't quite got the job done, which is obviously
disappointing in those occasions. But yeah, you have to be
the best team on the night in the final if
you can get there. And we've still got a pretty
tough run into I think we've got three local derbies
(03:03):
to go all away, so we've all seen how hard
it is to win on the road. Yeah, there's a
little bit of rugby er to get to get into
the finals, and you know, to make a finals a
big achievement too, So we're not we're not. We're not
counting on that yet.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
It's a little what a good answer, good answer? How
much is is your off field success commercially linked to
the sides on field performances?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Are they really? They're really linked? I think I mean
everyone likes to back winners, don't they, So if you're winning, well,
fans along, so so huge influence and none of us
are in it to come seek in and so there's
all eleven teams that on their day are good enough
(03:49):
to beat each other and every run at the start
of the season thinks are going to win it, which
is which is what what's sports about, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Indeed, you must also it must be a lot easier
to have discussions with your commercial partners too when things
are going well. But I guess you also have to
installate yourself against the roller coaster that is elite sport
when you're talking to your partners, because you can't win
every week, can you?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
No? No? And you know it's tough. I mean, I
think they're being successful helps, but commercially, you know, there's
there's big parts of the economy that are doing that.
They're doing it tough at the moment too, So there's
there's a whole HEAPO factors at play here too. Yeah,
but the team is certainly doing there a bit on
the on the park and that helps us get fans
(04:33):
in and it helps it helps talk to partners as well.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
One of your big players obviously is Damien McKenzie, who
has been retained by yourselves and new Zealand Rugby. How
significant role do the Chiefs play in those negotiations.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I mean, there we play our role. Obviously, the the
using rugby all black component is the big part of
his part of his deal. But no, we were certainly
putting as much pressure on as we could to make
sure we retain them. Someone like Damien's pretty pretty special
for a club and he needs a pretty special talent.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
When will you announce your new coach?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
We'll go through a process post season, and I mean
I think you know, at this stage, everyone's focused on
doing the best this year, and that'll that will probably
help determine determine the outcome if we get anything.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Right, is it likely you'll promote internally?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Look, I think we've got some really good internal candidates,
but it's in you know, public where I have said
that before too, But I think for everyone's sake, we
need to just focus on the season and yeah, and
we'll let that run its course. Post season. You must review.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Yeah, you must expect though that that there'll be high
interest in the role externally as well. I mean, coaching
the Chiefs, it's a terrific job with a great bunch
of players. You must be expecting high interest, are you.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, you would do absolutely for us. That's and and
cultural fit is big for us. So the list of
candidates may not be quite as big as people might think.
You know, I think you know, Clayton has done a
fantastic job and huge, huge shoes to fill. But you know,
(06:24):
we've seen how good he is off the field as
well and what he does. You know, he's pretty special individual.
So he's probably said a bit of a benchmark of
of of what we what we need in the club
and and we've seen the success that that's driven.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
He's a pretty uh, pretty understated character too, isn't he
Did he just knock on your door and say, Simon,
I'm off to Ireland.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, I mean he's you know, he's Clayton's pretty specially
he is. He is quite quiet, but he's you know,
everything he does he does with with dignity and with respect,
and he's you know, he's a very very good individual
around the club as.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Far as you're concerned. And you know, when when somebody
who has been so influential on your team like Clayton
comes to you and says, look, I've made this career decision.
I've been given this opportunity with Munster, I can't really
turn it down. It's it's going to be the right
move for me. Did any part of you want to
try and convince him to stay?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Oh, every part, to be honest, But the reality is,
you know, like he he was upfront and open the
whole way through the process. And in many ways we're developed,
you know, we try to develop, you know, we try
to develop all our people, whether that's players or coaches
(07:44):
or Edmund stuff. And you know, this is part of
his journey in his coaching career. So at some point
we knew that he was going to go. And yeah,
but I would have loved to lock him in a
long term, but I'm not sure that would have been
the right thing for his coaching.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Jenny, dead right, dead right. So what takes up most
of your time on a week to week basis, Simon.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Oh, a number of a number of things, you know,
Like I mean, I'm probably over obviously all areas of
the organization. So you know, from the from the rugby
to the commercial to whether it's sponsors, whether it's you know,
helping with helping the team set up a game at
a new venue like the Bay Oval, dealing with dealing
(08:30):
with shareholders and key partners and stakeholders and rugby and
out of rugby, and yeah, it's a reasonably interesting and
pretty fruitful sort of industry to be involved in.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Can you still watch a game as a fan or
is that just not possible anymore?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Uh? Absolutely watching as a fan, but I probably watched games
a bit different now too. You know, you'll watch a
game and you have a look at what's the off
field piece, what are the fans engaging in, what are
the what's the hospitality offerings? But you know, I'm on
the cur mean for the weekend, so I'll pop down
to the follow the rugby club and watch some club
(09:11):
foody this afternoon as well. So I still love the game,
but I'll probably watched it a little bit differently now
to word wins to good.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
To see your man Wallace. So Titi back out there
last night?
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Eh? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
In the he didn't really look like he'd been off
the pack for too long too, did. He sort of
just slotted straight back in. So I think that's going
to cause Clayton and the coach up group a few
selection problems. But that's as good as you'd have that's
what you're.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
After, Simon. Great to get the chance to chat too today.
Enjoy your club rugby viewing this afternoon. I bet that
must be quite nice to get down to the grassroots
and watch some club rugby. All the best for the
rest of the Chiefs season and let's hope it's the
third time lucky for your franchise.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Yeah, fingers crossed. Yeah, a little bit of work to
do before we get there.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
No, thanks for the time, No, thank you for your time.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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