The Silver Fern

Can you pick a semi-unproven lock on just a handful of minutes for the All Blacks? Assuming he's fit for the Test season and only out for Super Rugby, that is.

I'd still lean towards 'yes' but obviously wouldn't be too surprised to see Razor and co opt for someone with more games under their belt this year.

This ended up being a game where having a 6:2 split became an advantage due to the early injuries to Finau and Ah Kuoi.

@KiwiMurph said in Waratahs v Chiefs:

@Machpants he got penalised for his late hit on Lynagh

Still happy with 25% haha

@Bones said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@pakman said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Bovidae said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

As I said before the game, McMillan got some of his selections wrong for this game. Some players are better suited to being subs.

Had ENS gone to 15 when Stevenson off and Rona wing defence would sure have looked a lot more solid.

On that, ENS had a storming start to the season, but his form has definitely dipped in the past couple of games. If can get back to start of the season form I'd definitely be looking at him for ABs.

Very talented, but defence seems less of an issue at 15.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Moana Pasifika:

Even though I still think Parker and Sititi were playing in the wrong positions for this combination, you would have to say they combined well. Parker did miss a tackle in both of MP's tries though. Sititi was impressive in those preseason games in Japan so I think he might have forced his way onto the bench in the top 23 with this performance. I don't see McMillan deviating from Boshier at 7.

Narawa is getting up to speed quickly and seemed to be cruising for most of the game. A touch of Sivivatu I thought, where he never looks to be running fast but nobody catches you.

while i think you wont see a change for the hurricanes game in the starting loose forwards it wouldnt surprise me if sititi move into the 23.iand after bye week get more time starting if he continues to impress. nteresting they didnt put boisher on at all?

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Nepia said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Chris said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Nepia said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Chris said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@chchfanatic said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Hamilton just can’t beat us when it counts. I hope Hamilton plays us in the Quarterfinals.

Yeah I thought Hamilton were poor due to the Crusaders pressure and defence or they just are not the team they were last year.
Hamilton just got outplayed.

I think the early try New Plymouth got meant they mentally switched off a bit, and by the time they refocused they'd let the game slip through their fingers and they couldn't run Blenheim down.

In the ënd Hamilton and New Plymouth lost and Chch united won

I think my post highlighted the fact that Ashburton won and Cambridge lost, didn't need the obvious stated. 😉

Hard pressed to believe Ashtray could win anything to be honest.

To be fair they did win the Heartland championship in 2013 and 2014.

@Kiwiwomble said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@frugby i saw it as he arrived at the same time as someone else who just happened to be further back so he was put offside by his own player, i think if he was the only one there it would have been fine, so yellow if we'd had penalties/warning in the lead up but if neither a penalty and a warning maybe

I think though, the referee is saying that he has illegally slowed the ball down after a line break. Considering location on the field, by rule that is a fair yellow card.

The better question, as you say is whether he actually came in from the side. As I say, probably just. Sort of came in on the 45 and crept around, which sometimes you'll get away with, but generally not after a fast break, as the referee's always seem to decide that you were never onside, even if the ruck moves after you are already on the ball.

I'll just leave this here. Too flakey eh. Can't see him being wanted by the A....

@Bones said in Reds v Chiefs:

@booboo said in Reds v Chiefs:

and also a complete humour vacuum beside me

Ken hell mate. Better hope the wife didn't sneak a peek over your shoulder.

Wife was at home. Jr on the other side.

Had stuck up twat who had no sense of humour on my left. Really pissed off we lost so didn't have the chance to be condescending.

@Tim said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

@Duluth Yeah, after watching some of the first half, the Brumbies defence and ruck work is really off. Usually they're good as slowing down opposition ball and getting set on defence.

I wonder if the concerns over the organisation's security aren't having an unsettling influence on the players?

Or it could've just been a shit day at the office.

@cgrant said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

I wonder why Parker warmed the bench for such a long time. He came in at the 75th minute. It's very odd since the Chiefs forwards needed more fresh legs in the second spell.

Yeah, he should be come on with 20 to go. I thought that McMillan was very conservative with his subs.

I guess NZR is trying to be "different" but what I will generously call the "jocular" commentary combined with the sub standard production made the entire thing look like an amateur shambles.

"Cringe" is what I think the hip young youth of today call it...

I think that O'Neill will be the backup TH prop but he went off injured. Less concern on the LH side although Ross didn't start in either game. Having our top two hookers should also help, as both are ball-carriers.

@Yeetyaah said in Preseason - Wild Knights v Chiefs (Feb 4th):

Well that was a tough one to watch as a Chiefs fan.

It certainly was. At least no injuries AFAIK.

Panasonic are clearly the strongest Japanese club but I can't remember the Chiefs playing as badly as that in a long time. Boshier Jr wasn't a success at 7, and clearly didn't play to the ref like his big brother. This game also showed the importance of DMac and the first-choice back three with the kicking game and counter-attack, which was almost non-existent.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2024:

@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2024:

trask more likely to spend time at fullback than 1st 5 given Dmac and josh J are ahead of him

The reason Trask went to play in Japan last year was to get more experience at 1st 5 and driving his team around the field. The alternative would have been hardly playing, as there were four others who could play 1st 5. I would hope he wouldn't have played fullback this year as that was hardly a success previously.

You would assume Trask was being developed to be DMac's long-term successor but his injuries have given Jacomb an opportunity. If Jacomb is a full squad member in 2025 it would be to replace Ioane.

I agree with your thinking but think the plans would have changed. Trask really has struggled at 10 and 15 just hasn't kicked on. he has talent but injury's has stopped his progress so will be interested what happens moving forward. unless he has a great npc he properly behind Dmac and joshJ at 1st and SS and ENS at fullback

@nostrildamus said in Final: Chiefs v Crusaders:

pakman is supposed to be a Blues fan? Should be all out of tears!

He’s getting in practice for next year

@cgrant Hell I reckon Vai'i has been bloody good all year, mind you I a real Lord fan too.