The puzzle is slowly coming together for the Chiefs squad for 2016 but exactly where the remaining holes lie is not as obvious as it might look on first glance.
With only three outside backs signed and Sonny Bill Williams now definitely gone to sevens, despite being contracted for another season by the Super Rugby franchise, it would seem the majority of the holes to fill are in the backline.
But that depends on the mix the coaches opt for, remembering head coach Dave Rennie has always favoured regarding his squad of 32 plus six wider training squad members as one big 38-man squad.
Last season four of the six wider training group players were backs as the coaches went for a 13/19 backs/forwards split in the official main group of 32.
But this time the Chiefs have signed three halfbacks in Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brad Weber and Augustine Pulu whereas with Kerr-Barlow out of action through injury last season their third No9 was Leon Fukofuka in the wider training group, allowing a seventh loose forward in the form of Johan Bardoul to be recruited into the main squad.
With skipper Liam Messam also gone to sevens in a bid to get selected for the Rio Olympics that leaves six loose forwards currently contracted. There are also only three locks (four in 2015), four props (five) and two hookers (three), leaving three vacancies among the tight forwards unless the wider training group is used to fill one or more of those spots.
But that does not solve the puzzle out wide.
With Tom Marshall (Gloucester), Hosea Gear (Clermont), Bryce Heem (Worcester) and Tim Nanai-Williams (Japan) all headed offshore for this year's group of outside backs that leaves just three contracted for 2016 - James Lowe, Toni Pulu and Glen Fisiiahi. There were five this year plus wider training group member Pulu, who now has a full contract.
Names that have been bandied around include Hawke's Bay former All Black Zac Guildford who is back from France and veteran former Wallabies winger Digby Ioane, who is currently at the Honda Heat in Japan after a stint with Stade Francais in France.
But even if the Chiefs go back to a 14/18 split that still only leaves two more backline spots open in the 32 and Williams needing to be replaced in the midfield although Anton Lienert-Brown has graduated from wider training group to full contract there and may well be regarded as that replacement.
It will depend on how the wider training group selections are used this time with new Waikato signing and former Chief Stephen Donald now in contention for a return to the five-eighths and Aaron Cruden and Damian McKenzie already established as the first-fives. Donald may well run at second-five for Waikato as he has done in Japan before his return home and could cover both 10 and 12.
The squad will not be officially finalised until after the National Provincial Championship in late October but another signing is due to be announced this week, which will leave just four players plus the six wider training group members to be announced.
AT A GLANCE
Contracted to the Chiefs for 2016: Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Johan Bardoul, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Hika Elliot, Glen Fisiiahi, Mitchell Graham, Nathan Harris, Andrew Horrell, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tevita Koloamatangi, Nepo Laulala, Michael Leitch, Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Pauliasi Manu, Damian McKenzie, Charlie Ngatai, Augustine Pulu, Toni Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Liam Squire, Seta Tamanivalu, Siate Tokolahi, Maama Vaipulu, Brad Weber, Sonny Bill Williams (unlikely to be available due to sevens commitments).
