Chiefs 2021
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I am disappointed by this signing. I like Bryn as a player but feel there are equally good options in the region who may be ignored now. His style sits well with a dominant pack and positional strategy. But that does not seem to be the Chiefs strengths. I expected Trask and Mckenzie to be the playmaker combo next year and someone else wanted to close out or assume tactical control. I see Trask as a future AB and am a bit worried with his rivals Dad coaching. No room for both Fletcher Smith and Rivez Reihana now.
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@Chris said in Chiefs 2021:
Where does that leave Fletcher Smith if there is no room for him at the chiefs,As the Canes don't seem to be interested the Blues are covered,Unless its back to the Landers as a swap for Gatland or the Crusaders are looking to replace Cameron.
Is smith out of contract at the canes, I’d take him back down south but would me more of a 15 that can cover 10...which is how we were using him before...and why he left I believe
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@Kiwiwomble I believe he is. Canes have a hard on for JGB for whatever reason. He'd fit right in with the Chiefs, he's only mid 20s and he hasn't been given a lot of chances at Super level.
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I dont love this signing but since its been done, we should commit to Trask/Dmac and Reihana, with Gatland as the bench back-up bring it home option. So, I dont see space for Smith (who is probably prefer) or Mcclutchie who also looks class.
I can see some usefulness of Gatland in a bench role, especially in games where the Chiefs need more structure and a player who can drive them around late in games. Being able to kick dropped could be useful too.
Right now, if day we should be starting with Trask/Dmac and then build the back line around that combo. If try each of them at first five and see who goes better with Weber/TTT and ALB.
I think its going to be a bit of long year for us. We’re not really signing super high quality players, we have substantial gaps, and the better younger players are being drawn to the Blues now that they have turned the corner and are on an upward swing.
With luck, we’ll get a serviceable tight 5, develop some front and second row talent and be ready to challenge in 2022.
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I think gats is a great bench first five at super level, he’s going to slot those winner goals when needed at the death
He’s top point scorer for the npc isn’t he, more than handy
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
I dont love this signing but since its been done, we should commit to Trask/Dmac and Reihana, with Gatland as the bench back-up bring it home option.
That's my view too. However, I think it is important to have some depth and experience in the squad. Otherwise you are left with a situation like playing MMac at 1st, as happened a few seasons back when injury struck.
I would prefer Smith over Gatland myself, favouring picking within the region to retain them in NZ for the Chiefs' provinces.
Also Ta'avao is signed for 2021. Hopefully Moli has been re-signed and not end up at the Crusaders.
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Looks like Roe is all but confirmed for a Chiefs spot
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@Tim said in Chiefs 2021:
@bobily2 Him starting with TTT off the bench could be a handy combination. Weber available for experience too.
Haven't you got the order reversed? If those three are there it will be Weber with T3 on bench and the odd game where Roe gets a crack.
Are you suggesting a kid with one year NPC leapfrogs two ABs? -
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@Tim said in Chiefs 2021:
@Crucial He looks like he's got the goods.
Still a pretty big call to throw him straight at starting position! Let the kid settle in and see what the pro levels are like first. Plenty a nippy cheeky 9 has looked the goods at provincial level only to find that their USP doesn't translate.
I hope he does well and gets a chance though. -
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Time for an updated potential squad. I'm basing this on who was in the 2020 squad or involved in the WTG.
Hookers (3):
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato)
Bradley Slater (Taranaki)Props (6):
Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)
Atunaisa Moli ( Ta$man)
Ryan Coxon ( Ta$man)
Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau)Sione Mafileo (North Harbour)
Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki)
Angus Ta’avao (Auckland)Moli and O'Neill can play on either side but probably prefer TH. If another LH prop is needed then Ollie Norris (Waikato) or Jordan Lay (Bay of Plenty).
Locks (5):
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington)
Tyler Ardron (Bay of Plenty)Tupou Vaa'i (Taranaki)
Michael Allardice (Hawke’s Bay)Josh Lord (Taranaki)
Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato)Really need a fifth lock so the best of the rest is Tom Parsons (Hawke’s Bay) or Stan van den Hoven (Bay of Plenty).
Samipeni Finau (Waikato) could get a WTG contract but is a 6 playing lock. Has James Tucker re-signed with the Blues?
Loose Forwards (6):
Luke Jacobson (Waikato)
Mitchell Brown (Taranaki)
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty)
Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)
Mitchell Karpik (Bay of Plenty)
Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki)
Dylan Nel (Otago)Nel to be replaced by a specialist lock. If another no.8 is selected Simon Parker (Waikato) would be near the top of the list as he was involved this season.
Halfbacks (3):
Brad Weber (Hawke’s Bay)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Bay Of Plenty)
Lisati Milo-Harris (Taranaki)Xavier Roe (Waikato)First five-eighths (3):
Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Tiaan Falcon (Hawke’s Bay)Fletcher Smith (Waikato)/Rivez Reihana (Waikato)Midfielders (6):
Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato)
Alex Nankivell ( Ta$man)
Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
Tumua Manu (Auckland)Tei Walden (Taranaki)/Mathew Skipwith-Garland (Bay Of Plenty)
Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau) - might be on the bubble for selection
Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato)Outside backs (6):
Solomon Alaimalo (Waikato)??? I was hoping this would be Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Sam McNicol (Hawke’s Bay)
Kini Naholo (Taranaki)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau)
Sean Wainui (Taranaki)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato)
Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour)Still looking for another winger or two if Wainui is selected more as a centre.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2021:
Really need a fifth lock
Would have thought Sam Caird would have been on thier radar, he's looked good in 2 M10 Cup Campaigns now.
