A breakout season for the Chiefs has seen abrasive Bay of Plenty flanker Johan Bardoul pen a contract extension.

Bardoul, along with half-back Bard Weber and lock Michael Allardice, will all remain in red, yellow and black for the next two seasons after making huge strides so far this year.

Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker Johan Bardoul offloads to Charlie Ngatai against the Crusaders in Hamilton. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Debuting for the two-time Super Rugby champions in the opening round, 27-year-old Bardoul has brought an impressive work rate to the set up after spending time on the Super Rugby fringes.

With his no frills approach and hard work, Bardoul became one of the major talking points early on in the season, throwing his 112kg and 1.92cm frame into the thick of the action.

And though he is a late starter to the Super Rugby ranks, Bardoul is rapt to get an extension after his first season at this level.

'I love the environment, the boys and the coaching,” he admits. 'I am learning lots and I want to win a Super Rugby Championship.

'It is also great to have my future for the next two years sorted.”

Starting his career in Hamilton, the 27-year-old captained Hamilton Old Boys before playing in the Waikato Development side, on the cusp of the ITM Cup in 2012.

After finding himself surplus to loose-forward requirements, he played a season for Thames Valley in the Heartland Championship before signing on with the Steamers for the 2013 campaign.

The rest is history, as he impressed in the ITM Cup with a high work rate and was snapped up by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie. He previously joined the Chiefs camp in June 2013 for the rest of the season to cover for Michael Leitch, who was sidelined with a broken foot.

Rennie is rapt the trio have all committed long-term to the franchise.

'They're all good men with an excellent work ethic who have made big shifts in their game,” he says.

The Chiefs currently sit second in the New Zealand conference, on 39 points along with the Highlanders, 13 points adrift of overall competition leaders the Hurricanes.

Overall they sit in fourth, currently holding the first of the wildcard spots.

But with four rounds remaining – against the Bulls, Highlanders, Reds and Hurricanes – the Chiefs must win a number of these matches to hang on to this play-off berth ahead of what is a congested table.

The Chiefs host the Bulls at Rotorua International Stadium this Friday at 7.35pm.