Blues v Chiefs
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Harris is gone for the season.
Conversely, the Chiefs announced on Wednesday that hooker Nathan Harris had been ruled out of the 2020 season. The former All Black had been recovering from a fractured ankle sustained during the Mitre 10 Cup with Bay of Plenty last year but following shoulder pain, underwent surgery this month to repair his rotator cuff. The rehabilitation period for that is six months, so the 27-year-old has been replaced in the squad by Counties Manukau's Donald Maka, who has been training with the Chiefs as a replacement player during the pre-season.
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@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:
With rookie hookers and a 6 in the locks (Robinson) I expect the Chiefs to really target the lineout
Same could be said of the chiefs
Ardon and Brown are converted Loose forwards
Chiefs Bench hooker is a relative Rookie -
@mariner4life said in Blues v Chiefs:
Any team that can bring the best back in World Rugby off the bench is nailed on favourites...
Not a bad side. Karpik looked out of his depth at this level last year, so hopefully he's got another gear to go to. I still can't believe Wainui gets starts.
Who the hell is the 10?
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Gibson should have been the one to drop off the bench I feel as he's either a starter or he doesn't make the side imo. Papali'i can also cover 7 so I'm not sure why Akira wouldn't be on the bench at the very least.
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@African-Monkey totally...!
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@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:
With rookie hookers and a 6 in the locks (Robinson) I expect the Chiefs to really target the lineout
With Cane at 8, two smallish locks and a diminutive 7, the Chiefs won't be able to disturb a much taller Blues pack.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:
@JK said in Blues v Chiefs:
Blues halves are still as weak as piss.
Can't say Im too optimistic about the season ahead. When is BB available for a run in blue?
Beaudie is due back in April
the last few years, our season's been over before the cricket season finished. April seems a very long way away.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:
@JK said in Blues v Chiefs:
Blues halves are still as weak as piss.
Can't say Im too optimistic about the season ahead. When is BB available for a run in blue?
Beaudie is due back in April
Doubt he makes a big impact this season
ChiefsBlues first 11 games include 2 games in SA vs Bulls/Stormers, Crusaders twice Hurricanes twice & Jaguares They'll do well to win 3 games
1st game after bye for Blues is in Christchurch then a home game again Canes
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Blues should consider moving Plummer to Inside Centre
Got a kicking game & a big framePerofeta to Full Back with Otere Black Backing up Barrett
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@macandcheese BB is 'due' back for the Jags game.
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@macandcheese yep, from a marketing POV, that should have been the one.
Guess when he negotiated when he was due back that wasnt a consideration...plus the Jags game isnt even at EP either!
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@macandcheese said in Blues v Chiefs:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:
@JK said in Blues v Chiefs:
Blues halves are still as weak as piss.
Can't say Im too optimistic about the season ahead. When is BB available for a run in blue?
Beaudie is due back in April
Doubt he makes a big impact this season
ChiefsBlues first 11 games include 2 games in SA vs Bulls/Stormers, Crusaders twice Hurricanes twice & Jaguares They'll do well to win 3 games
1st game after bye for Blues is in Christchurch then a home game again Canes
This is one of the problems with the current system. I don't know exactly how the draw is done but the lower ranked teams from the previous year seem to get a hard road the following year making it even harder to get the momentum required to get out of the cellar.
I get that there are some games probably etched in for marketing reasons and that the conference system doesn't help kiwi teams (the need to play each other twice) but the travel always comes early for the lower ranked teams and the travel is against the 'better' overseas franchises.
We have yet to see any lower team make great gains during the conference era.
From a pure marketing and interest pop this is a major failing. Seeing an underdog climb out of the swamp is a highlight in sporting comps and gathers great interest and publicity. Protecting and nurturing teams that have already won gets boring. -
Yeah
The game will be in Whangarei
It's absurd that BB 1st game is in a provincial location against a team even one as good as Jaguares that will not be as enticing as a "grudge" game vs Canes in Eden Park
I know what game Sky would love to have as BB 1st game back
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SR not designed to allow teams to rise quickly form "worst to first" ala NFL for example
For a team like Blues to play eight NZ derbies is brutal
Hence they're stuck in a vicious cycleThankfully from next year SR reverts to Round Robin Format - 13 games with 2 byes that'll enhance the quality of the Comp
Round Robin format will suit NZ teams as they'll have fewer derbies
Jaguares will also benefit as they'll have 3 fewer road games every 2 years Even then they've won 7 out of last 9
games in AUS/NZ -
A reminder that Rotorua is in the BOP as well.
