Chiefs 2021
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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?
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@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.
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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.
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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.
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@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. -
@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.
Is Finau the young flanker/lock who played M10 cup a few years ago? He looked awesome then so it would be good to see what he can do.
I’m not convinced at all by ENS, but hopefully he’ll get enough chances for us to know whether he is a future AB, or even Super level. I know its a bit hard but on his body of work until now, he’s been a huge disappointment for some one so hyped.
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@stargazer said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 Samipeni Finau played in the preseason game against the Blues, last Saturday (at 6). He plays for Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup.
I agree about ENS, but maybe he just needs more time. He is only 21 years old.
Yep, he’s got time, but it really needs to happen in the next couple of years. I’m not sure that sevens has helped either.
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@kiwimurph said in Chiefs 2021:
Chiefs problem looks to be that they have so many players that play best at 15.
DMac, Trask, ENS, arguably Stevenson...
ENS has never shown that he plays best at 15. It may be his “natural “ position based on skill set and he would probably like to have a crack there but as far as the Chiefs go he is hardly beating down the door.
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With a bye in week one of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Chiefs will get an opportunity to rest and recover from a busy pre-season. On the much-talked about injury front, a few niggles were reported this week, with Damian McKenzie (foot) and Pita Gus Sowakula sitting out training.
Why Sam Cane is staying on as a Chiefs captain despite 'arduous' All Blacks duties
The announcement of Brad Weber as Chiefs co-captain on Tuesday means Sam Cane will also retain his leadership duties with the franchise - despite his role with the All Blacks.
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@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
Weber and Cane are coming-captains which doesn’t look good for contenders for their positions.
Yeah, this doesn't seem like a practical choice to me.
I can understand that Weber could be captain if Cane is rested but Weber will be subbed during a game. What happens then if neither are on the field? I'm trying to remember who the Highlanders use when both Smith and Dixon aren't on the field at the end of games.
I finally had a chance to watch the game of 3 halves. Harris should be relegated to the 3rd choice hooker with that throwing performance.
