Chiefs 2017

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae I think he played age group stuff for Canterbury a couple of seasons back as well as 7s for them.

He did start very well this season, but was almost like he lost confidence and didnt back himself to take on the defence or beat a man despite appearing to have very good pace.

Has the raw the ingredients.

[Bovidae]

Seems like a strange decision then, especially if Stevenson isn't offered a full contract for 2017. Rennie and co did pick a few surprises this year.

[taniwharugby]

yeah is somewhat surprising he has a full contract, which looks like it is based on potential, as I understand the Chiefs were looking at him before the Mitre 10 season kicked off.

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth sorry,no online information,just purely a very good source ,Sean Stephenson has signed with North Harbour for the 2017 Mitre 10 cup season,so it would not surprise me if he has signed with the Blues,also Lolagi Visinia does not have a contract.

[Bovidae]

@Steven-Harris Stevenson will still be with the Chiefs for 2017 according to the newspaper article reporting his move back to NH.

[Steven Harris]

@Bovidae,thanks for that update,be really intersting to see how much game time Stephenson gets at fullback,given Tim Nani Williams has resigned,along with the option of Damien McKenzie.

[booboo]

Any thought being given to Michael Little?

[African Monkey]

@booboo Would be handy backup for any side. I rate the guy but unfortunately most sides have their midfields sorted.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs will need another midfielder or two. It will depend on whether Vaka and Donald are offered contracts again.

Little is quite small but he plays above his weight (to use a horrible cliche). Has Vaega got a Blues contract for 2017? He could be another option.

[cgrant]

Faulii (spelling ?) had a few good games with Taranaki. He could be a welcome addition, at least in the WTG.

[Unco]

Donald's sure to get another contract, isn't he? He had a few injuries this year but was brilliant when he managed to get a run.

Since Vaka's already been in the Chiefs environment, I figure he's the number one contender for Tamanivalu's old spot. Would be a good move to try and lure Michael Little south of the Bombay's though, he looked like class for Harbour.

[Bovidae]

The squad will be named at 7 am tomorrow. I haven't read any news before the official announcement.

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

So missing from this year are:
Tokolahi (Highlanders)
Manu (Blues)
Marshall
Bardoul
Koloamatangi
Vaipulu
Pulu (Blues)
Horrell
Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
SBW (Blues)
Vaka
Vaeno

I'll be interested to see if some of the other fringe selections from within the region are picked up by other teams.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae This media release that says that Bardoul re-signed for two years is from 18 May 2015. That suggests that he should have been in the 2017 squad. Have all those injuries ended his rugby career or has he gone somewhere else?

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/84-chiefs-sign-trio-for-two-years

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer Bardoul is off to Japan to play for Yamaha.

[Bovidae]

@Chris-B Any thoughts on Christie? I assume this is a Keane selection although he is from Pukekohe via Scotland.

[Tregaskis]

I don't follow the Mitre 10 Cup or high school rugby. Is there anyone among the new faces that I can be legitimately excited about?

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2017:

@Chris-B Any thoughts on Christie? I assume this is a Keane selection although he is from Pukekohe via Scotland.

Keane won't have had much to do with Christie, because he's only been a pick-up from Christchurch club rugby this year. He's gone well..he's quick and brave, but also pretty small (Weber-sized). They were using him as the starter early on, but Guyton surpassed him and started the big play-off games.

He's not a bad pick, but given the choice I would definitely have taken Enari ahead of him.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs in Whangamomona. Everyone should visit the republic once in their lives.