Chiefs v Blues

[KiwiMurph]

Blues named

I think that's a better backline than last week - just tell Faiane to put the kicking boots away (Perofeta too).

Finally Apisai is gone. Hopefully Papalii and Leger get a run.

1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. George Moala, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Matt Duffie/Jordan Hyland,15. Michael Collins.

Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Orbyn Leger.

Players not considered because of injury: Otere Black (knee – season), Blake Gibson (shoulder), Glenn Preston (calf), Sonny Bill Williams (hand), Augustine Pulu (foot), Alex Hodgman (arm), Scott Scrafton (leg – season), Daniel Kirkpatrick (ribs), Tumua Manu (thigh), Melani Nanai (ankle), Jordan Trainor (hand), Matt Johnson (season).

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[nzzp]

@kiwimurph wer're going to get smoked.

[KiwiMurph]

@nzzp Blues typically play better when they are expected to get smoked (see vs Lions round 3) vs when they are expected to win (see vs Chiefs in Auckland, vs Sharks last week).

I'll tip a Blues loss with a bonus point.

[nzzp]

@kiwimurph

[Tim]

@rocky-rockbottom Gerard Cowley-Tuioti is one of our best forwards.

[Dice]

Some good changes in there. Didn't know Tana had it in him to drop Tupou.

I think the only change I would've made was Mark Telea in for Leger. Leger's tackling is Nock level bad, and the last thing we need at the moment is another guy who can't tackle. Maybe if Duffie is good to go, Hyland will replace Leger on the bench?

[Duluth]

People were wondering about the late change at halfback last week? No reason apparently, just the usual muddled thinking.
This was in a nzh article:

But perhaps the most significant change is the selection of Jonathan Ruru to start at halfback. He was picked in that role last week, but coach Tana Umaga had a change of heart as kick-off approaches and returned Sam Nock to the No 9 jersey, injecting Ruru from the bench.

[Kirwan]

@duluth said in Chiefs v Blues:

People were wondering about the late change at halfback last week? No reason apparently, just the usual muddled thinking.
This was in a nzh article:

But perhaps the most significant change is the selection of Jonathan Ruru to start at halfback. He was picked in that role last week, but coach Tana Umaga had a change of heart as kick-off approaches and returned Sam Nock to the No 9 jersey, injecting Ruru from the bench.

Good grief.

[taniwharugby]

@duluth maybe Sammy knows the best coffee shop?

[Hooroo]

@kirwan said in Chiefs v Blues:

@duluth said in Chiefs v Blues:

People were wondering about the late change at halfback last week? No reason apparently, just the usual muddled thinking.
This was in a nzh article:

But perhaps the most significant change is the selection of Jonathan Ruru to start at halfback. He was picked in that role last week, but coach Tana Umaga had a change of heart as kick-off approaches and returned Sam Nock to the No 9 jersey, injecting Ruru from the bench.

Good grief.

WHere the hell is his Knight in Shining Armour??? Poor ole Tanie Toots is getting one hell of a hammering on here!!

[Bovidae]

The Gallagher Chiefs team to take on the Blues is:

1. Aidan Ross (11)
2. Nathan Harris (36)
3. Angus Ta’avao (5)
4. Brodie Retallick (89)
5. Tyler Ardron (3)
6. Lachlan Boshier (24)
7. Sam Cane (100) (c)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula (1)
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (5)
10. Damian McKenzie (55)
11. Sean Wainui (5)
12. Johnny Faauli (11)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (45)
14. Toni Pulu (24)
15. Solomon Alaimalo (14)

RESERVES:

16. Liam Polwart (11)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (4)
18. Jeff Thwaites (2)
19. Luke Jacobson (2)
20. Liam Messam (167)
21. Jonathan Taumateine (6)
22. Charlie Ngatai (45) (c)
23. Marty McKenzie (10)

[Hooroo]

@bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:

The Gallagher Chiefs team to take on the Blues is:

1. Aidan Ross (11)
2. Nathan Harris (36)
3. Angus Ta’avao (5)
4. Brodie Retallick (89)
5. Tyler Ardron (3)
6. Lachlan Boshier (24)
7. Sam Cane (100) (c)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula (1)
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (5)
10. Damian McKenzie (55)
11. Sean Wainui (5)
12. Johnny Faauli (11)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (45)
14. Toni Pulu (24)
15. Solomon Alaimalo (14)

RESERVES:

16. Liam Polwart (11)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (4)
18. Jeff Thwaites (2)
19. Luke Jacobson (2)
20. Liam Messam (167)
21. Jonathan Taumateine (6)
22. Charlie Ngatai (45) (c)
23. Marty McKenzie (10)

What happened to that ten that started a few games ago? Is he injured?

[Tim]

Weber injured?

[Bovidae]

No injury list has been given. No Seu either.

[Bovidae]

@hooroo said in Chiefs v Blues:

What happened to that ten that started a few games ago? Is he injured?

Falcon. Not sure.

[Nepia]

Why on earth would Cooper not start Ngatai? FFS, he plays for the Naki too.

[KiwiMurph]

@tim said in Chiefs v Blues:

Weber injured?

Yes.

TTT gets his chance.

Halfback Brad Weber has been ruled out of the Chiefs' Super Rugby clash against the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday with a wrist injury.

[Tim]

Seu is injured too. Chiefs taking the Blues lightly. :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_closed_eyes:

Stuff

[Bovidae]

@tim

BBBR is back so that makes up for all the other absentees.

[Bovidae]

An interesting choice to start Pita Gus Sowakula. I was reading a story about him that said he was a former basketballer and came to Taranaki as a winger. I thought he played well at the end of the Highlanders game.