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Sport | Chiefs

Big year ahead for Charlie Ngatai

Māori All Blacks captain Charlie Ngatai has a big year ahead of him starting tomorrow with his beloved Chiefs team who take on the Waratahs in their first pre-season game of the year.

Ngatai is chomping at the bit to get out there.  It doesn't matter how intense training is, it doesn't compare to a game.

He says, "Just seeing if our structures work properly against a team that coming at you hundy, I know it's hard at training when the team already know what you're doing."
 
After a big 2015, including his first cap with the All Blacks against Samoa as well as leading the Māori All Blacks for their tour in Fiji, Charlie is well rested and ready for the Super campaign with the Chiefs.

"I had a month off and a bit of a holiday but i guess it's a job and what you love doing and that motivates yourself to get back into shape and back into this campaign and i guess it's just the love for the game," says Ngatai.

That love is shared throughout the Chiefs' franchise.  They've just returned from their annual trip around the region.

"We had a good week away with the boys got to know everyone better, a lot of hard work so that brings bonding and the boys are geling pretty well and hopefully that continues for the whole year," he says.

Their first test is tomorrow against the Waratahs in Rotorua.