Chiefs 2019
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@bones You wouldn't really bet on it, but having a crack might be dependent on whether the ABs win again next year. Four RWC winners medals would be almost impossible to top - and that's all I have to say about that.
Supposedly, the operations he had in the off season are going to give him a new lease of life, so will be interesting to see how he's travelling at the end of this year.
He's an interesting one is Owen. You don't often hear AB supporters championing him as the world's best tighthead, but he's been unchallenged for the ABs for nearly a decade.
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@chris-b said in Chiefs 2019:
@bones You wouldn't really bet on it, but having a crack might be dependent on whether the ABs win again next year. Four RWC winners medals would be almost impossible to top - and that's all I have to say about that.
Supposedly, the operations he had in the off season are going to give him a new lease of life, so will be interesting to see how he's travelling at the end of this year.
He's an interesting one is Owen. You don't often hear AB supporters championing him as the world's best tighthead, but he's been unchallenged for the ABs for nearly a decade.
Didn't he used to be a bit more dynamic in defence ? I don't watch as much Rugby as some of the rest of you but I definitely remember some big hits....I don't recall a single tackle bust though.
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@rapido said in Chiefs 2019:
@cgrant said in Chiefs 2019:
Lomax is another THP who must be watched with attention next year. He has improved a lot lately after being rather "meh" in the early rounds.
Has he improved a lot lately? Genuine question.
I haven't taken notice of him since the Maori ABs tour last November where he and the Maori scrum were getting minced.
He was almost single handedly keeping alive the French scrummaging myth .....
"Lately" means the second half of the 2018 SR. Before that, I agree with you, he was really soft. But the Landers scrum fared very well with him on the TH. They had the Tahs scrum back pedaling in the quarter final but this game will be remembered for the Naholo's YC. -
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Is fletcher smith signed to highlanders? If not chiefs need to pick him up. Same with Tupaea
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@yeahtheboys said in Chiefs 2019:
Is fletcher smith signed to highlanders? If not chiefs need to pick him up. Same with Tupaea
Jeff Wilson said Smith hasn't been re-signed by the Highlanders yet during the Waikato-Wellington commentary. He'd be a big upgrade on MMac.
As to Tupaea, if the Chiefs don't someone else will. Still a handful of places to fill I believe.
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yeah I think when Fletcher SMith was close to signign with NOrthland for this M10 Cup he had an eye on a Blues contract.
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@taniwharugby Plummer on a development contract?
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@tim ??
SMith decided not to sign when Northland didnt re-sign Dale MacLeod...so we lost Alaimalo and missed Smith when MacCleod left apparently.
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@taniwharugby I meant that perhaps there is a first five spot open at the Blues because Plummer is a development player next year.
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@stargazer said in Chiefs 2019:
@tim Wainui also plays centre.
If I was being optimistic I'd say that the coaches may have waiting to see who shines in the M10 Cup for the other midfield spots. Aumua may get a reprieve with a good season with Ta$man but Verney can't impress if he is injured. The Chiefs really need another 2nd 5 so Tupaea should be someone looked at closely. I'd prefer ALB to be playing at centre.
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I found this article:
The Chiefs 2017 schoolboy recruitment haul - 5 of the best
The Chiefs may well have won the class of 2017 recruitment race - believed to have secured five of the best New Zealand schoolboys.
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@bovidae I've always thought Mua might be a bit small - maybe I'm misremebering? Flanders is probably the one they should have gone hard for in that Hastings pack last year ... I think even the Canes managed to see over their Wellington borders to pick him up. Also, didn't Mua chose playing for a Samoan team over an NZ team?
But, Tupaea is definitely a good pick up.
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@nepia From what I remember of Mua, he wasn't big but strong for his size and excellent at the breakdown. These schoolboys have time to put on size in the gym.
He played for the Samoan sevens team at an invitational schools tournament in honour of his grandparents from memory.
But there have been players who missed the NZ U20s one year and played for Samoa only be make the NZ U20s the following year. It doesn't exclude you from selection.
There are spaces available for Tupaea and Nanai in the 2019 Chiefs squad.
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@nepia Yeah Flanders has signed for the Hurricanes on a three-year contract. Very relieved!
I think Mua cuts from a similar mould to Kirifi - who ironically was in the Chief's catchment but has now signed with the Canes. Both not the biggest, but they are very strong with ball in hand.
