Chiefs 2020
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U missed Luke Jacobson from the starting team cuz. Not even Colin Cooper was dumb enough to not start him. Also Laulala is a tight head not a loose head
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You also said set piece is our strength with “2 tall timber locks” ummmmm we haven’t had one of those apart from Retallick... we usually play 5 loosies + the outside backs imo aren’t our strength it’s our loosies
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Tipping Blues to win the conference and Crusaders to be 4th? You’re joking right
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@Snowy Maybe @Ruggy is from the Northern Hemisphere? Not everyone in the NH seems to know that we don't use the name of provinces in our NZ SR team names anymore.
I once commented on a blog post on a rugby news website that called the Chiefs the "Waikato Chiefs". The author said he wasn't allowed to remove the name of the provinces, because the NH editors of the website insisted on using the provincial names to distinguish the Chiefs from the Exeter Chiefs (and the Blues from the Cardiff Blues). They also said that they preferred it that way, to make it easier for rugby fans reading their site to get an idea where in NZ (Aus/SA) teams were from. As if the average rugby fan in England or Ireland knows where in NZ to find Waikato, Canterbury or Otago etc.
I made a similar comment under a French article that included the provinces' names and they didn't know that that was outdated.
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@Stargazer Aussie comms usually say the Waikato Chiefs, Wellington Hurricanes etc too.
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@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2020:
@Stargazer Aussie comms usually say the Waikato Chiefs, Wellington Hurricanes etc too.
mainly because they are blinkered, ignorant fuckheads.
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The Chiefs' new midfield wrecking ball that could take them to the next level
When Quinn Tupaea debuted for Waikato during the 2018 season, it was hard not to be impressed. This year, he will be entering his first season with the Chiefs and there's plenty of hype surrounding the young midfielder.
This article suggests Quinn Tupaea had a contract for this year locked in at the end of 2018 for the 2020 season. Not a bad insight, although they say Manu was a key 12 for them last year when he only played 13, at least from what I recall.
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@Yeetyaah Good on him! He's had a hell of a journey the last few years, with that terrible health scare. It's incredible that he's been able to get back to where he is now. Another older player who can be useful as a mentor to all the rookies. With so many players having gone overseas the last few years, it's players like Thomson (and Cruden) who can add value by letting the young ones benefit from their experience.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2020:
@Yeetyaah Good on him! He's had a hell of a journey the last few years, with that terrible health scare. It's incredible that he's been able to get back to where he is now. Another older player who can be useful as a mentor to all the rookies. With so many players having gone overseas the last few years, it's players like Thomson (and Cruden) who can add value by letting the young ones benefit from their experience.
Yeah I am stoked. If he does play he is tough and I like that
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@Stargazer Totally. After his health scare it's crazy good to see him back playing professionally. He's pretty ripe but good for mentoring. Just weird to see him in the Chiefs as he was Landers hard for his career. Definitely not complaining.
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Chiefs' media release:
ADAM THOMSON JOINS REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
Current Otago number eight and former All Black Adam Thomson has joined the Gallagher Chiefs squad as one of eight replacement players currently in with the squad. The bulk of the replacement players on hand are providing cover for the Gallagher Chiefs forward pack. Bay of Plenty prop Ross Geldenhuys is joined by Waikato props Robb Cobb and Ollie Norris, along with Counties Manukau hooker Donald Maka, to cover the front row. Taranaki lock Tupou Vaa’i completes the tight five cover. Thomson is joined by Waikato loose forward James Thompson. Bay of Plenty halfback Leroy Carter is the only back who concludes the eight players fielded. Thomson said: “I am really excited to work under Gats and I am also excited to be in a team like the Gallagher Chiefs. It’s a team I’ve always looked up to, especially playing against them. The flare that they bring and the excitement. They seem like they have a lot of fun out there which is always a team you want to be involved with. If I get an opportunity to play for the team it’ll be immense.”.
So what is the status of a "replacement player"? Is that what they used to call "wider training group" players? So not on a full contract?
Edited to add this quote, which says that he's only there as ABs/preseason cover.
A Chiefs spokesperson told Stuff he was only signed on as All Blacks cover until early February at this stage, but said it was "highly likely" he would play in Friday's pre-season match against the Blues in Waihi. The Chiefs' All Blacks returned to training this week but none of them will play in Waihi. Their Super Rugby campaign starts against the Blues at Eden Park on January 31.
