Chiefs v Crusaders
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What has happened to Levi Aumua? And assume Fa;'auli is still injured?
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@nepia said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I always thought the Maori version of Cooper was Kupa, but clearly it is Wainui.
To be fair, this could be repayment of the unexpected couple of good games Wainui showed earlier in the season. I'm not sure what Stevenson has done to shit the bed though and Alaimalo showed some real inexperience in the Tahs game on positioning and defensive reads.
It looks to me that Cooper has got a bit excited about having the rare ability to turn the same team out two weeks in a row but it could also be that he is trying to settle on combinations for the late season. Maybe he sees good possibilities with Alaimalo at 15.
I think the 10,12,13 should now be inked in and if Tony Pulu continues like he did last week he can be on the preferred list too.TTT looked very TKB like when he came on and that could also be part of the plan. Start with Weber for greater speed to the ball but finish with the stronger halfback.
1-5 looks settled and with Laulala coming back that will help with depth.
Not entirely sure on the best loose forward combo with the available players. Cane is obviously a certainty and I think Messam is having one of his best seasons. Would we lose much in the lineout if we had Cane and Karpik out there together?
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I don't know if I'm patriotic or stupid or both.
For some reason I think we can match the Crusaders in the forwards but have the upperhand in the backs and for that we will win.
I'd go with "optimistic"
though I hope you're right! -
@hooroo 75/25 I reckon!! ha ha well I thought something similar last week and the Canes ended up getting their arses handed to them
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@paekakboyz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo 75/25 I reckon!! ha ha well I thought something similar last week and the Canes ended up getting their arses handed to them
I kind of think our forward pack is better than yours though. They are kind of punching above their weight. This is the real test though
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I don't know if I'm patriotic or stupid or both.
For some reason I think we can match the Crusaders in the forwards but have the upperhand in the backs and for that we will win.
The Chiefs are the only team that can match us in the forwards, always nervous about playing them.
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@hooroo can't argue with that, esp with us missing Coles and having several guys missing due to injury. I'd rate our top line pack to go close. But we don't have anyone even close to tying up Brodie's laces at the moment!! I have to say I'm loving how Messam is having a primo run this season too.
Our backs are better though :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_closed_eyes:
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@paekakboyz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo can't argue with that, esp with us missing Coles and having several guys missing due to injury. I'd rate our top line pack to go close. But we don't have anyone even close to tying up Brodie's laces at the moment!! I have to say I'm loving how Messam is having a primo run this season too.
Our backs are better though :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_closed_eyes:
Completely agree re: Backs. I'm happy with this ALB/Ngati combo though and DMac is the man too
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@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I will add one more thing in that the Crusaders will DEFINITELY be more clinical and clinical mostly beats flash harry
That will be the difference. It was quite worrying how easy the Tahs scored when they got moving forward and the Saders are even more clinical
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@crucial said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I will add one more thing in that the Crusaders will DEFINITELY be more clinical and clinical mostly beats flash harry
That will be the difference. It was quite worrying how easy the Tahs scored when they got moving forward and the Saders are even more clinical
I'm still fairly optimistic (thanks @Donsteppa )though.
Looking forward to this match
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@hooroo I think I'm right that no NZ team that isn't the Blues has lost a home derby match this year. Hurricanes and Crusaders have chances to change that this weekend.
Crusaders missing Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty are big losses.
Whitelock because the Chiefs have Retallick.
Crotty's absence might not be felt as much in the midfield as in the outside backs, where we'll have a rusty Dagg on one wing and 38th man Jone Macilai on the bench.
Lacking the power wing that Seta or Mataele have provided.
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@chris-b said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@hooroo I think I'm right that no NZ team that isn't the Blues has lost a home derby match this year. Hurricanes and Crusaders have chances to change that this weekend.
Crusaders missing Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty are big losses.
Whitelock because the Chiefs have Retallick.
Crotty's absence might not be felt as much in the midfield as in the outside backs, where we'll have a rusty Dagg on one wing and 38th man Jone Macilai on the bench.
Lacking the power wing that Seta or Mataele have provided.
Ooooooooo! I completely forgot about Whitelock and Crotty. That really is huge. Especially Whitelock who I think is arguably the best captain going around. Losing those two etches away away a bit of the Clinical advantage.
This is ridiculous. I am starting to suddenly feel confident.... 0-10 after 5 mins will have that washed away PDQ
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@hooroo If it makes you feel happier, we also don't have Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Ben Funnell or Manasa Mataele from what I think is our best 23.
On the basis of home advantage, I think it's more likely that the Highlanders will beat the Hurricanes than that the Crusaders will beat the Chiefs - which are the two results I'm hoping for.
Hurricanes and Chiefs both winning would spoil my weekend.
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