Chiefs 2021
-
Just realised that article about Manu dreaming of the ABs is from last year. Has there been any chatter since then or am I primed to blow my load needlessly again?
-
@Nepia Geez I wouldn't say origin superstar haha he got dropped after Origin 1 2019 and hasn't played there since but I get your point. Couldn't imagine Joey Manu as a rugby player myself. Solid defensive centre in a strong side. Think the jury is definitely out on that one if the move did happen.
-
-
Moli didn't play any NPC.
They would both need to play in the inter-squad game(s) to be considered for the Chiefs opening game. If I am able to go I will try to go to the game this weekend to see who is playing.
-
-
-
Pre-season plug or left-field fix? Why Damian McKenzie's move to 10 could be a masterstroke
Damian McKenzie is a natural fullback - that was confirmed a long time ago - but could a shift to first five allow the Chiefs to add some more firepower to their backline?
-
@yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2021:
@mofitzy_ hard to say for me, he still looked a bit like a headless chook at times. I'd be more inclined to leave him at fullback at let our young 10s take the reigns and develop.
If that’s the case he’ll probably be better at 15 and we should commit to Trask and Reihana (with Gatland as the short term start/bench alternate).
We’ve got/had far too many players who are better at 15 ;and want to play there). We’ve lost Alaimalo now, but I think both Stevenson and NNS prefer 15.
In my preferred environment we’d find out this year if any of those ‘super’ school boys we signed are going to be ‘super’ stars, so id like to know whether Tupaea, Sullivan, NNS (and was there another?) are good enough.
Right now, it seems that Tupaea is good enough for Super level, NNS should have gone to league, and Sullivan isn’t quite good enough, but this year we should find out.
-
ENS (it's not that hard) was performing well in Mitre10. Had a tendency to hold on a few steps too long but sometimes that comes down to team situation and being a little desperate to make things happen. He was on the wing for CM as well so it appears that coaches don't really want to hand him a chance at 15 yet.
For the Chiefs I like the idea of Stevenson at 15 but am assuming that spot is DMacs. Could see DMac covering 10 though or, as pre season games suggest, swapping during the game.
-
I want to see ENS as a strike weapon on the wing exclusively, with Wainui or Stevenson on the other side. It will be interesting to see who is preferred as backup 10 between Trask and McKenzie, behind Gatland presumably. I thought Finau looked good and worth a place in the squad and 23. And Iosefa-Scott looked keen and willing. But, the early errors in the opposition 22, and the inability to defend rolling mauls, and to secure lineouts do not seem to have been addressed successfully by the coaches from GOTH evidence. Sure hope these things can be sorted or it will be along hard season.
-
@arhs said in Chiefs 2021:
I want to see ENS as a strike weapon on the wing exclusively, with Wainui or Stevenson on the other side. It will be interesting to see who is preferred as backup 10 between Trask and McKenzie, behind Gatland presumably. I thought Finau looked good and worth a place in the squad and 23. And Iosefa-Scott looked keen and willing. But, the early errors in the opposition 22, and the inability to defend rolling mauls, and to secure lineouts do not seem to have been addressed successfully by the coaches from GOTH evidence. Sure hope these things can be sorted or it will be along hard season.
I see things shaping towards a back three of Stevenson, Dmac and ENS with ALB and Wainui in the centres.
DMac and Trask/Gatland to interchange during the game (all can play both 10 and 15). Wainui covers wing so bench consists of halfback, 10, centre.
That makes for an attacking backline with solid D in the centre.
