Blues v Chiefs
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@Tim said in Blues v Chiefs:
Found a replay, managed to watch the first half. Good contest, Blues obviously miss Sotutu and Ioane.
Chiefs had the best run with injuries and had a great bench. Seemed to be the difference.
Made it pretty interesting it was a clear tactic to have a real grind and bash for the first half and then finish strong with a lot of movement.
Quite a different take to some chiefs fans alluding to McMillan throwing the towel in.
If blues weren't in a funk when it came to finishing it might have been a different story though.
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@Bones said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Tim said in Blues v Chiefs:
Found a replay, managed to watch the first half. Good contest, Blues obviously miss Sotutu and Ioane.
Chiefs had the best run with injuries and had a great bench. Seemed to be the difference.
Made it pretty interesting it was a clear tactic to have a real grind and bash for the first half and then finish strong with a lot of movement.
Quite a different take to some chiefs fans alluding to McMillan throwing the towel in.
If blues weren't in a funk when it came to finishing it might have been a different story though.
I think the Chiefs fans were trying to claim the underdog tag early.
Ratima's trysaver was out of this world in fairness. Had Telea scored, we might have had something to hold onto, but the Chiefs took over after that.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Chiefs:
I think the Chiefs fans were trying to claim the underdog tag early
We literally lost to the Blues by 30 points last time we played them and we hadn't won at Eden Park since 2020, of course the Chiefs were underdogs.
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Telea not scoring that try rams home how slow our top wingers are.
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@Bovidae said in Blues v Chiefs:
The Chiefs forwards have put on some weight in the off-season, a consequence of being bullied up front in the final. They certainly won more collisions in this game.
very noticeable in person how much size vaa'i and lord have added.
especially compared with Segner who looks like a toothpick.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Chiefs:
Lol that streaker could win another penalty for the Chiefs here now that a scrum has been called.
I dunno what happened to the streaker but as I was leaving out the back 3 st johns ambos were wheeling along him along in a wheel chair and he was sucking pretty hard on a green whistle looking very unhappy.
then outside the police were walking the tan pants guy out carrying a few pages of paperwork - also looking very unhappy and was very unresponsive to any banter in his direction..
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@WillieTheWaiter said in Blues v Chiefs:
@African-Monkey said in Blues v Chiefs:
Lol that streaker could win another penalty for the Chiefs here now that a scrum has been called.
I dunno what happened to the streaker but as I was leaving out the back 3 st johns ambos were wheeling along him along in a wheel chair and he was sucking pretty hard on a green whistle looking very unhappy.
then outside the police were walking the tan pants guy out carrying a few pages of paperwork - also looking very unhappy and was very unresponsive to any banter in his direction..
Without being too harsh, I would be happy to hear he's done something pretty painful to his leg!
I know I shouldn't wish that on anyone, especially someone so desperate for attention he streaks etc, but just let my grumpy old man come out when isiots interrupt games. -
Interesting to see points in player of the year allocation for game
Ah Khuoi getting the most. No arguments, and like the way it done with opposition captain and coach picking points, they the ones who know who is hurting them the most I think!Blues v Chiefs
4 - Naitoa Ah Kuoi (CHI)3 - Dalton Papali’i (BLU), AJ Lam (BLU), Luke Jacobson (CHI), Kaylum Boshier (CHI)
2 - Beauden Barrett (BLU), Anton Segner (BLU), Damian McKenzie (CHI)
1 - Mark Tele’a (BLU), Marcel Renata (BLU)
Also intersted to see BB got a couple of points, as my impression was he went not as bad as some thought.
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@Frank said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Dan54 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Blues v Chiefs
4 - Naitoa Ah Kuoi (CHI)AB contender but we are pretty flush at lock.
Agree, he just in a position we rich in. Like you I think he pretty handy.
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Well I felt the Chiefs beat the Blues at their own game here. Some real starch here, particulry from the forward pack to grind this out. Real willingness to fight for those tough yards. A couple of players I don't normally rate had massive games, Ah Kuoi (who I've always thought is too short for a lock and too slow for a 6) was a battering ram that just carted the ball up hard all game, never stopped working - maybe not the best stats but his willingness to throw himself into the hard graft and contact undeniable.
Jacobsen (who I've though of as a jack-of-all trades master of none) was outstanding as a leader on the night, gritty, tough, lead by example into the fray all night, had a great game.I enjoyed the Chiefs mental toughness on the night to not panic, trust in the gameplan and the process and keep sticking to it on the night to grind out the result even when they were behind instead of panicking and throwing 50/50 passes trying to force something. Thought the use of the bench was very smart.
Hopefully that sets the blueprint for the rest of the year.
Honestly speaking I'd love the AB's to play like that, comatative, tough, stick to a clear gameplan, work hard to open up space, no silly 50/50 passes/risks and actually utilise your bench thoughtfully. I can only hope Razor was watching...
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Chiefs kept themselves in the game in the first half. The quality of their bench in contrast determined the outcome.
FWIW I think the Blues are making the same errors as the All Blacks in their use of the centers too. Using them as bash merchants rather than trying to exploit their speed and skills with width.
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@Frank said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Dan54 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Blues v Chiefs
4 - Naitoa Ah Kuoi (CHI)AB contender but we are pretty flush at lock.
is he? Has appeal but is kind of a loosie/smaller lock crossover at AB level?
