Chiefs 2021
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@stockcar86 said in Chiefs 2021:
@stargazer said in Chiefs 2021:
Black and white eyepatch or not, I thinkJonah Lowe had a great game for the Chiefs in the Final, and more generally, a very good SRA season. I'm glad the Chiefs' coaches gave him a good shot at it (starting in most games), and I think he's repaid their trust. It boggles the mind that the Hurricanes never gave him a chance, despite all the signs being there that he could become a good SR player during M10 Cup and preseason. I'm really pleased for him and hope he'll continue to develop into a great SR player! I hope the Chiefs have already re-signed him for the next few seasons.
In the Stuff player ratings, he was the highest rated back and equal highest rated player in the Chiefs side for the final. I'd like to see the stats for how many rucks he hit, as from my memory it was a lot
Those player ratings can't be taken seriously though. Taukei'aho rated a 5 because he was only given one target in the lineout.
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Lord looks set to start in Perth.
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If he can become a reliable thrower, he’ll likely become an All Black.
If we had a trustworthy line out, we’d also likely shoot straight back to being the second or third best team in NZ (I know we finaled in SRA, but we got there through a bunch of lucky wins and Dmac’s boot).
With BBBR back we will automatically go from having lock be a position of weakness, to one of strength, but I’d like it if we had another younger player to bring through who is more clearly a lock, rather than a lock/6 or 6/lock.
However, with BBBR, Vaii, and Lord, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
If he can become a reliable thrower, he’ll likely become an All Black.
If we had a trustworthy line out, we’d also likely shoot straight back to being the second or third best team in NZ (I know we finaled in SRA, but we got there through a bunch of lucky wins and Dmac’s boot).
With BBBR back we will automatically go from having lock be a position of weakness, to one of strength, but I’d like it if we had another younger player to bring through who is more clearly a lock, rather than a lock/6 or 6/lock.
However, with BBBR, Vaii, and Lord, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Mate I don't see locks as being weak, I think Va'ai is as good a lock as any running around, and Ah Khuoi is not bad. Actually think when BBBR comes back him and Va'ai will be best locking set up in country.
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@dan54 said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
If he can become a reliable thrower, he’ll likely become an All Black.
If we had a trustworthy line out, we’d also likely shoot straight back to being the second or third best team in NZ (I know we finaled in SRA, but we got there through a bunch of lucky wins and Dmac’s boot).
With BBBR back we will automatically go from having lock be a position of weakness, to one of strength, but I’d like it if we had another younger player to bring through who is more clearly a lock, rather than a lock/6 or 6/lock.
However, with BBBR, Vaii, and Lord, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Mate I don't see locks as being weak, I think Va'ai is as good a lock as any running around, and Ah Khuoi is not bad. Actually think when BBBR comes back him and Va'ai will be best locking set up in country.
Agree but I think the comment was more that locking depth wasn't there while BBBR was away.
I think Lord has the ability to improve and take the number 4 lock spot as a good injury/rest option as well.
As long as we don't have to resort to Brown and/or Sowakula filling in I think we are OK.
And yes, BBBR and Vaai is something to look forward to. -
@dan54 said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
If he can become a reliable thrower, he’ll likely become an All Black.
If we had a trustworthy line out, we’d also likely shoot straight back to being the second or third best team in NZ (I know we finaled in SRA, but we got there through a bunch of lucky wins and Dmac’s boot).
With BBBR back we will automatically go from having lock be a position of weakness, to one of strength, but I’d like it if we had another younger player to bring through who is more clearly a lock, rather than a lock/6 or 6/lock.
However, with BBBR, Vaii, and Lord, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Mate I don't see locks as being weak, I think Va'ai is as good a lock as any running around, and Ah Khuoi is not bad. Actually think when BBBR comes back him and Va'ai will be best locking set up in country.
He is not even a starter for the Wellington Lions. Whether that is because he is not rated by the Wgtn management or their love affair with their captain, J. Blackwell, is yet to be determined.
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@higgins said in Chiefs 2021:
@dan54 said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
If he can become a reliable thrower, he’ll likely become an All Black.
If we had a trustworthy line out, we’d also likely shoot straight back to being the second or third best team in NZ (I know we finaled in SRA, but we got there through a bunch of lucky wins and Dmac’s boot).
With BBBR back we will automatically go from having lock be a position of weakness, to one of strength, but I’d like it if we had another younger player to bring through who is more clearly a lock, rather than a lock/6 or 6/lock.
However, with BBBR, Vaii, and Lord, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Mate I don't see locks as being weak, I think Va'ai is as good a lock as any running around, and Ah Khuoi is not bad. Actually think when BBBR comes back him and Va'ai will be best locking set up in country.
He is not even a starter for the Wellington Lions. Whether that is because he is not rated by the Wgtn management or their love affair with their captain, J. Blackwell, is yet to be determined.
I think it's a given. Ah Kuoi has played really well at Super level. Lions are missing a trick if they don't use him.
Chiefs number 3 lock when BBBR is back. -
Chief Luke Jacobson escapes further sanction after red card
Jacobson became the first player in Super Rugby Trans- Ta$man to receive a red card after he was issued two yellows during their one-point win.
The All Black was initially sent from the field in the 35th minute after collapsing the maul close to their tryline in a scoring position, with the Force subsequently awarded a penalty try.
He was then gone for good in the 64th minute after repeated infringements on their line.
The case was referred to SANZAAR's Judicial Committee, who believed that whilst the on-field sanction was justified, Jacobson would not miss any further time for his actions.
"The Judicial Committee conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his representative, Aaron Lloyd," Judicial Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC said.
“With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee ruled, after considering a number of factors, including the direction provided by World Rugby's Regulation 17 - Appendix 4, owing to the nature of the yellow cards being for technical offences with no malice, it was felt that along with the Player’s exemplary disciplinary record, that the Player’s ordering off merited no further sanction.”
"The player is therefore free to play and will serve no suspension”
This will ensure that Jacobson is free to face the Brumbies on Saturday. -
It was just a poke in the eye for Tupou Vaa’i, but it still has the Chiefs sweating on the availability of their All Blacks lock for their trip to face the Reds next weekend.
Vaa’i was the major injury worry out of Saturday night’s 40-19 victory over the Brumbies in Hamilton, replaced in the 34th minute after an eventful start which saw the 21-year-old flat on the deck in the opening minute, then scoring the game’s opening try three minutes later.
But while coach Clayton McMillan was able to reveal no extensive damage to his star second rower post-match, he stopped short of locking him in for next Saturday night’s fixture in Townsville.Vaa’i has all of a sudden become a crucial man for a Chiefs side operating without Brodie Retallick until he rejoins next season following his stint in Japan.
Uncapped Laghlan McWhannell (knee) has been sidelined for a third straight season, fellow youngster Naitoa Ah Kuoi (neck) and the more experienced Mitchell Brown (knee) have missed the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans- Ta$man, while uncontracted Samipeni Finau, who has logged six games this year, has been out of contention for the last three games due to a shoulder problem.
That has seen Bay of Plenty and Tonga loose forward Zane Kapeli cover lock off the bench the last fortnight, so any more absences in the second row will start to really cause some issues, with a lineout that is already not without its shakes.
McMillan said winger Jonah Lowe “should be fine” after a tight hamstring forced him off in the 53rd minute, while prop Angus Ta’avao (groin strain) and midfielder/winger Sean Wainui (shoulder) are others on the short-term casualty ward, as the Chiefs work out just who they will have for another dash across the ditch, fresh off their trek to Perth in round one. -
