Chiefs 2018
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I hope DMac does get a full uninjured season at 10 just so we can all see how he may work in the future in the ABs.
I have seen glimpses when he comes in at first receiver and he has a good accurate kicking game. It is his distribution I am more concerned about. A bit like BB he tends to pass a bit early or a bit late. Doesn't have that perfect timing that the likes of DC had.
The squad selection so far certainly points toward a lot be banked on him at 10.
In a way he is a better version of TNW and I sometimes wish Timmy had been pushed toward 10 more. He was quite a good 10 that could have developed into a very good 10 if it wasn't for coaches wanting to use his broken play skills more. -
Seu is set for a huge year I feel, so can only see Mitch Brown as a reserve at best. Bird must be starting lock and Webber halfback. I don't see Fa'auli and Pulu as starters. Sure hope that Ngatai is raring to go, as I have not seen enough vision or accuracy from Fa'auli.
The reserve depth is very shallow in my opinion, except for prop where we have at least 4 goodies. I do like Boshier though and hope James Tucker can stay on the field and deliver his promise. Also hoping that they sign Taukei'aho and develop him as an explosive ball-carrier.
The Chiefs need to sign up a powerful winger and centre as the backs are too light throughout. Tamanivalu is badly missed. Maybe Sevu Reece will make the grade quickly, and maybe Nigel Ah Wong will be considered, but I certainly would like to see McNicol fit again! But no sign of the power player that drags in 3 defenders.
I am rather disappointed by the signings so far. Ardron?? Tough on folks like Parete and Manihera. I would also like to see Donald or Delaney on the bench as a flyhalf who can control the latter stages and get Chiefs to the right end of the pitch. Fingers crossed there. Richard Judd has impressed me more in ITM Cup than TTT or Taumeteine, so shame there. Also wonder about Karpik signed ahead while Mitch Jacobson has no contract.
It will be very interesting to see who gets the remaining berths in the squad. But, without a bruising three-quarter from overseas I fear a struggle to avoid fifth in NZ conference.
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@arhs said in Chiefs 2018:
@tim
Richard Judd has impressed me more in ITM Cup than TTT or Taumeteine, so shame there.Seriously? TTT has been one of, if not the, form halfback in the Mitre 10 Cup and being talked about as a bolter for the End of Year Tour.
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@kiwimurph said in Chiefs 2018:
@arhs said in Chiefs 2018:
@tim
Richard Judd has impressed me more in ITM Cup than TTT or Taumeteine, so shame there.Seriously? TTT has been one of, if not the, form halfback in the Mitre 10 Cup and being talked about as a bolter for the End of Year Tour.
Agree, TTT, Hall and Drummond are head and shoulders above the other halfbacks in the comp.
From a Crusaders perspective I'd be super happy if Judd was chosen over TTT for the chiefs
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Fair enough. Probably still blinded by TTT performance against Lions, and agree he playing much better now. But worried about Chiefs lack of power players, and losing a strong defender like Kerr-Barlow. Webber clears well, but not so physical, so looking for a more tigerish defender option and saw glimpses of that in Judd. Hall has been very good, but I think Drummond could be the best of the lot. Of course I hope I am proven wrong about physicality of Chiefs halfbacks, as they have already been selected. I was disappointed to see Christie go after his displays for Chiefs at end of season.
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I'll have a go at a likely Chiefs squad. A disclaimer, with a new coach it is hard to know their preferences/biases, and I have no inside information.
Props (6):
LHs - Hames, Graham, Ross
THs - Laulala, Moli, KautaiHookers (3):
Harris, Polwart, Faiva/Taukei'aho/Su'aLocks (5):
Retallick, Bird, Allardice, Seu, +1Tucker might get selected again as he did last the NPC season and like Seu can play at 6.
Loose fowards (8):
Cane (6, 7, 8 )
Boshier (6, 7)
Karpik (7)
Brown (6, 8 )
Jacobson (6, 8 )
Messam (6, 8 )
Ardron (lock, 8 )
+1 - maybe ManiheraHalfbacks (3):
Weber, Tahuriorangi, Taumateine1st 5s (3):
DMac, Falcon, +1 (ideally a more experienced 1st 5, Beaver could have filled that role)Midfield (5):
Ngatai, ALB, +3 (options are Vaega, Wainui, Fa'auli, Nankivell, Leger, Sullivan)Wingers/fullbacks (5):
Alaimalo, Pulu, Stevenson, TNW, +1 (Reece, Tiatia, Mataele, O'Donnell) -
Forgot about him, and he provides a wing/fullback option. How is his melon?
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@bovidae said in Chiefs 2018:
Forgot about him, and he provides a wing/fullback option. How is his melon?
He played the whole 80 minutes of Hawke's Bay's last match v Manawatu so should be okay.
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@bovidae He returned from his head injury on 25 August, when he finally made his Magpies debut. Then he suffered a rib injury against Otago on 10 September, from which he returned on 15 October in the final round robin game against Manawatu. He only played 5 games, but played well.
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