Chiefs 2020
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@Bovidae What's wrong with Matson? Our attack looked good throughout the year, once DMac got moved on -- and it would be hard to blame that on Matson.
Our handling coach might need sacking. And our defence structures took half a season to come right. But attack never seemed to be a concern.
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@Chester-Draws Matson's backline attack usually consists of too much lateral movement without testing the opposition's defence. We need to be more direct. I'm sure there are some Cantabs who weren't happy when he was in charge of the backs under Blackadder.
I'm not sure who decided to change job responsibilities of the coaches but the Chiefs' forwards were good under Barnes in previous seasons and less so when White took over. And as you say, Barnes took most of the season to get the defensive structures working. Gatland favours the rush defence so there will be another change next season.
And I might be in the minority here, but I want DMac to be starting at 1st 5, or at least spending a significant number of games there. Sure, he may be more dangerous from fullback but the Chiefs have many more options in that position (Alaimalo, Stevenson, Nanai-Seturo). Most of the problems at the start of the season were because the forwards weren't doing their job.
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Well, we'll disagree then.
I thought Matson's attack was direct enough. And I'm totally against DMac at 1st 5.
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Falcon must be signed for at least 2020.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chief-tiaan-falcon-puts-injury-time-to-good-use
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@Yeetyaah Falcon is 22, Trask is 20 and Reihana only 19 so plenty of time for the latter two. I'm sure both are signed and will be part of the Chiefs system. Falcon needs to stay injury-free in 2020 because he's hardly played in the last 2 seasons.
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Gallagher Chiefs Squad Update
Rugby World Cup cycles are synonymous with a large number of player movements, and 2019 is no exception. The offshore player market power dynamic, has shifted. Japan has replaced England and France as the destination of choice for New Zealand Rugby players. Several factors have influenced this including; the shorter competition window in the Japanese Top League (compared to the English and French competitions), higher comparative salary and benefits such as accommodation supplements, and no formal salary cap model.
Additionally, the Japan Rugby Union (JRU) relaxed the player eligibility criteria. This has increased the number of foreign players that Japanese Clubs can recruit. Clubs are now allowed up to five foreign players on the field at one time (two capped players and three non-caped players). This has increased from three players previously. It is our understanding that the JRU will revert back to the three foreign player eligibility rule from 2021 onwards. This will stem the flow of playing talent currently leaving New Zealand.
Compounding the eligibility rules, the JRU, due to the 2019 RWC schedule, shifted the Japanese Top League competition window to run concurrently with the Investec Super Rugby competition in 2020 and 2021. Previously, players have had the ability to play Super Rugby and then opt to play in Japan during the Mitre 10 Cup window. Provincial Unions and Super Rugby Clubs have been hit hard, none more so that the Highlanders who have lost eight players to the Japanese Top League.
The Gallagher Chiefs have lost the services of the following players in 2020: Brodie Retallick Taleni Seu Jack Debreczeni
These players have all signed with Japanese Top League clubs. Retallick has agreed to return to the Gallagher Chiefs in 2022 competition. There is some scope that he may be available towards the end of the 2021 competition and I am working with NZR and his Japanese Top League team on the logistics around this. It was our preference to retain all three Chiefs players.The following players have confirmed that they will not be returning to the Gallagher Chiefs next season:
Kane Hames (injury)
Jonathon Taumateine (Hurricanes)Market forces that include the RWC and the international player market have created unprecedented player demand in New Zealand. All Super Rugby Clubs have been targeted in their recruitment of existing Super Rugby players from other New Zealand Super Rugby Clubs. The Gallagher Chiefs have fought hard to retain the following players who all received contract offers from multiple other New Zealand Super Rugby Clubs:
Nepo Laulala
Atu Moli
Angus Ta’avao
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Mitchell Brown
Lachlan Boshier
Mitchell KarpikThe Gallagher Chiefs Squad is at an advanced stage in the player contracting cycle. This is due to proactive contracting of players and some forecasting of potential challenges six to nine months ago. The 2020 Gallagher Chiefs squad still requires to contract a further six players to complete the playing roster. Rugby staff will turn their attention to the Mitre 10 Cup competition to contract these individuals
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@WillieTheWaiter No Debreczeni next year, fuck. Hames I thought would leave, as with Taumateine. Good bunch of players we've managed to keep.
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@WillieTheWaiter Is this from a media release? Do you have a link?
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2020:
@WillieTheWaiter Is this from a media release? Do you have a link?
nope and no.
one other bit
Talent Pipeline:
Provincial Unions, Clubs and Secondary Schools continue to produce and develop outstanding talent in the Chiefs region. The New Zealand Under 20 team consisted of 15 players from Provincial Unions within the Chiefs region. At the recent Chiefs under 18 Camp, 24 players were nominated to progress onto the New Zealand Schools selection camps.
The Chiefs Rugby Club have invested in the following player’s development in 2019:Kaleb Trask (BOP)
Kini Naholo (Taranaki)
Tupou Vaai (Taranaki)
Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
Riverz Reihana (Waikato)
Simon Parker (Waikato)
Mickey Wooliams (Counties Manukau)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau) -
@WillieTheWaiter Cheers for the update.
Who is in charge of recruiting for the Chiefs at present (on the assumption Gatland and Matson are heavily involved in RWC preparation)?
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Anyone on here rate Taumateine?
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@Canes4life Not really. Haven't seen much of him and he's not much of a standout in my opinion. Anything is a step up from Christie though.
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@WillieTheWaiter So where does this come from? It's not on the Chiefs' website or social media. Without an official source, not any existing list can be updated.
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@Stargazer I think this is likely an internal email/memo to all the Chiefs provincial unions.
I'm disappointed in Debreczeni's decision. The Chiefs gave him an opportunity and he hasn't shown the same loyalty.
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@Bovidae Yeah, really disappointing. Apart from being injury prone, Debreczeni was a good signing for the Chiefs in 2019. So basically, the Chiefs - as far as we know - only have Falcon and Dmac, who should be playing at fullback, for the 10 jersey in 2020. There's only a small pond to fish in for first fives in NZ and both the Chiefs and Canes are fising in it.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2020:
@Bovidae Yeah, really disappointing. Apart from being injury prone, Debreczeni was a good signing for the Chiefs in 2019. So basically, the Chiefs - as far as we know - only have Falcon and Dmac, who should be playing at fullback, for the 10 jersey in 2020. There's only a small pond to fish in for first fives in NZ and both the Chiefs and Canes are fising in it.
The Crusaders as well they need a First Five to replace Hunt.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2020:
@WillieTheWaiter Cheers for the update.
Who is in charge of recruiting for the Chiefs at present (on the assumption Gatland and Matson are heavily involved in RWC preparation)?
not sure to be honest. there was a bit of a coaches update but not much else about recruiting.
Two senior Assistant Coaches from 2018 / 2019 Season, Tabai Matson and Neil Barnes are secured for 2020. We are currently in negotiations with a further three Coaches and hope to be in a position to announce the complete 2020 Coaching group within the next few weeks.
2018/2019 Team Manager, Nikita Hall, has resigned. Hall had a close working relationship with former Head Coach Colin Cooper and decided with a new Head Coach coming in that now would be a good time to look at other opportunities. Stu Williams (GM Rugby Operations) will be the Team Manager for 2020. Williams and Gatland have a longestablished working relationship. The timing of Gatland’s appointment and the 2019 RWC has determined that it was not possible for Gatland to be involved in any form of the open coach recruitment process. Gatland, Williams and I will discuss this amongst other topics once Gatland has commenced his contract.
Former Gallagher Chiefs physiotherapist Kevin McQuoid will return to the Chiefs in 2020 as Head Physio and Head of Medical. McQuoid has years of experience and has worked previously with New Zealand Sevens, The Hurricanes, and the Gallagher Chiefs. McQuoid is a skilled practitioner and we are fortunate to have him back into the Chiefs organisation.
Contrary to recent media speculation I can confirm to Shareholders that the Chiefs Rugby Club does not employ the head coach nor the senior assistant head coach. It is standard operating practice that New Zealand Rugby employs two coaches for every New Zealand Super Rugby Clubs. Anything contrary to this point in the media is misleading.
