Crusaders v Chiefs

Donsteppa

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@gt12 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Given that Retallick is taking the year off

He’s also taking next year off, and so is your coach.

The evidence suggests the coach has already started taking next year off.

Hamilton wouldn't be my usual pick for a 12 month holiday, but it clearly suits Gats.

Kirwan

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo @2.10. You going to ask the wife before hand?

No, probably best surprise her with the good news after the match....

Me and a mate have quite a decent TAB ticket that has been accumulating since the beginning of this year. I have just suggest we put half the ticket on 13+

Hooroo tipping Saders, mmm....Chiefs odds just shortened dramatically.

Tipped the Blues last week too and got a decent collect. Bet with head (well I try to) and heart for tipping comps.

I can get you a Blues jersey if you like? Plenty of room on the bandwagon.

Hooroo

@Kirwan said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo @2.10. You going to ask the wife before hand?

No, probably best surprise her with the good news after the match....

Me and a mate have quite a decent TAB ticket that has been accumulating since the beginning of this year. I have just suggest we put half the ticket on 13+

Hooroo tipping Saders, mmm....Chiefs odds just shortened dramatically.

Tipped the Blues last week too and got a decent collect. Bet with head (well I try to) and heart for tipping comps.

I can get you a Blues jersey if you like? Plenty of room on the bandwagon.

My COVID-19 toilet paper stash is still well supplied, thanks

Dice

Will the media start turning on Gatland if the Chiefs lose this one?

If the Chiefs lose this week, it'll be their 5th loss in the last 6 games.

Yeahtheboys

@Stargazer total lack of form? Are you guys just always out to attack Dmac no matter what happens? Wtf did he do wrong for u to pick him out

nzzp

@Yeahtheboys DMac coughed a few up for the ABs a few years ago. That's enough for some folk, they just can't see any upside to him.

Kind of like Foster; a few dodgy years in charge and people assume that ?8? years with the ABs hasn't improved him as a coach.

Donsteppa

The great thing about DMac in 2020 is that he's back to his best position and doesn't need to cover/be first five. I like him at full back, but at first five not so much...

For current form, in some ways he's had the best part of 15 months out of rugby (barring some of the February games that he was fit for), and that must take a while to build up the magic from again.

Donsteppa

@nzzp said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Kind of like Foster; a few dodgy years in charge and people assume that ?8? years with the ABs hasn't improved him as a coach.

The flip side is that the inconsistencies of the All Blacks during the last RWC cycle bore some broad parallels to Foster's tenure at the Chiefs. Albiet with a much better win/loss ratio, set alongside the Lions series, losses to Ireland, tactics/selections at times, and the team going AWOL in Chicago, Perth, and in the semi final.

It's tempered significantly by Hansen being the head coach, but I think it's not unreasonable for the jury to be slightly cynical about Foster at the very top level of the game.

nzzp

@Donsteppa said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

It's tempered significantly by Hansen being the head coach, but I think it's not unreasonable for the jury to be slightly cynical about Foster at the very top level of the game.

Oh I don't disagree totally! But the counterpoint is Wayne Smith rates him, and I have a deep and abiding trust in Smith. Hansen also clearly rated him, and those boys didn't suffer yes men or sycophants.

If he's grown and improved, well done NZR, but if he hasn't then I'll be out there with the burning torches, pitchforks (or cowbells?) with the next rugby fan

Crucial

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo @2.10. You going to ask the wife before hand?

No, probably best surprise her with the good news after the match....

Me and a mate have quite a decent TAB ticket that has been accumulating since the beginning of this year. I have just suggest we put half the ticket on 13+

Ha, gone from 'mortgage the house' to 'half our TAB balance'.

All talk, no trousers.

Crucial

As I said in a previous thread, I am really surprised that Gatland has not brought in an element of ruthlessness to the team. They have talent to get into good situations but keep squandering things when they do.
Surely getting them to go into 'clinical mode' once opportunities are gained would be a good thing for the scoreboard?

Hooroo

@Crucial said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo @2.10. You going to ask the wife before hand?

No, probably best surprise her with the good news after the match....

Me and a mate have quite a decent TAB ticket that has been accumulating since the beginning of this year. I have just suggest we put half the ticket on 13+

Ha, gone from 'mortgage the house' to 'half our TAB balance'.

All talk, no trousers.

Half the TAB balance is Trousers!

mariner4life

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Kirwan said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Hooroo @2.10. You going to ask the wife before hand?

No, probably best surprise her with the good news after the match....

Me and a mate have quite a decent TAB ticket that has been accumulating since the beginning of this year. I have just suggest we put half the ticket on 13+

Hooroo tipping Saders, mmm....Chiefs odds just shortened dramatically.

Tipped the Blues last week too and got a decent collect. Bet with head (well I try to) and heart for tipping comps.

I can get you a Blues jersey if you like? Plenty of room on the bandwagon.

My COVID-19 toilet paper stash is still well supplied, thanks

alt text

Stargazer

Tickets for this game went on sale, yesterday. I understand that 10,000 have been sold.

Stargazer

At least assistant coach Neil Barnes offered some bright news. Captain and openside flanker Sam Cane, who has yet to play in the domestic tournament because of a lower back problem, could return if not feeling any discomfort after training on Wednesday.

Lock Mitchell Brown could also be back to replace Tupou Vaa’i, who has been unwell and will be given a spell. The team is named Friday.

.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300041384/no-hatred-from-damian-mckenzie-but-chiefs-desperate-for-win-over-crusaders

Stargazer

.
The forecast for Christchurch isn't terrible, by the way:

Machpants

I dunno those so called temperature highs, look like lows to me

Bovidae

I did read that Ardron has been nursing a hamstring injury, but has never been listed on the ever-growing injury list.

Hooroo

Shouldn't the teams been named by now?

Bovidae

Gallagher Chiefs:

Aidan Ross (33)
Bradley Slater (9)
Nepo Laulala (35)
Mitchell Brown (39)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (8)
Lachlan Boshier (51)
Pita Gus Sowakula (22)
Brad Weber (79)
Aaron Cruden (96)
Sean Wainui (32)
Anton Lienert-Brown (76)
Quinn Tupaea (6)
Solomon Alaimalo (44)
Damian McKenzie (78)

Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (30)
17. Reuben O’Neill (5)
18. Ross Geldenhuys (7)
19. Adam Thomson (2)
20. Mitchell Karpik (25)
21. Lisati Milo-Harris (3)
22. Kaleb Trask (5)
23. Tumua Manu (18)

Unavailable for selection:
Angus Ta’avao (quad), Tyler Ardron (hamstring)
Season ending: Atu Moli (hips), Laghlan McWhannell (knee), Luke Jacobson (hand), Michael Allardice (shoulder), Nathan Harris (shoulder), Sam McNicol (ankle).

The Silver Fern

Crusaders v Chiefs