Chiefs v Brumbies
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The news that Atu Moli, who had been recovering from a hip injury problem suffered last year, had played three club rugby games and would now be available for selection was a potential scrummaging boost for the side.
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Text here (for those unable or lazy)
Scrummaging is shaping as an important issue for both the Chiefs and Brumbies ahead of their Sky Super Rugby Trans- Ta$man game in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Brumbies were involved in a first-half scrum reset fest in Christchurch against the Crusaders that left no one happy, and Chiefs scrum coach Nick White was expecting an improved effort from the Australians who had a Test front row."They're clever enough to work out what they need to do this week and we've just got to make sure, with our group, that we nail our stuff, and how we scrum. We want to make sure we can control what we can, that's the main thing," he said.
“There's nothing wrong with a good scrum contest, but one at a time, not three or four. It's the responsibility of both teams to make sure we get our set up right, all our techniques are right and we have a good, solid whack-in.”
NICK WHITE
The news that Atu Moli, who had been recovering from a hip injury problem suffered last year, had played three club rugby games and would now be available for selection was a potential scrummaging boost for the side.
However, the decision to delay the announcement of their side until Thursday was made on the back of their disappointing performance at the weekend in Perth, and to give coaches time to assess players during Tuesday training, White said.
The Force, who had the winning of the game had a last-minute conversion been successful, had been an improving team, making the Australian semifinals. They also enjoyed the support of a massive crowd, so there was no surprise for the Chiefs that they played so well.
More of the same, if not more, could be expected from the Brumbies, a side who had shown they had the Chiefs' measure in the past, he said.
"They've got a lot of Test players in their side, a good coaching crew, so they're a smart side and will be a tough nut to crack. We're going to have to be a lot better than we were the other night to make sure we get a win here on Saturday night," he said.
Their requirements for achieving that will be to play as they were supposed to play, play at the right end of the field, not give stupid penalties away, and hold onto the ball and earn the right.
Another lesson had been to earn a bonus point, something that only came after earning the right earlier in the game, he said.
It was more important to win the game first than to be worried about bonus points.
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If Moli is involved he will likely be introduced via the bench. The interest will be whether he plays LH or TH. The main reason I went to watch the club game at the local field last Sat was to see if Moli was playing. He certainly didn't start for Varsity.
I agree that DMac will probably be back at fullback. I wonder if Trask gets another chance soon?
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Chase Tiatia, Bailyn Sullivan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Oliver Norris, Atunaisa Moli, Zane Kapeli, Pita Gus Sowakula, Xavier Roe, Rameka Poihipi, Kaleb Trask
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Unavailable for selection:
Angus Ta’avao (hip), Kaylum Boshier (shoulder), Laghlan McWhannell (knee), Mitchell Brown (ankle), Mitchell Karpik (knee), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (neck), Sam Cane (shoulder/pectoral), Samipeni Finau (shoulder), Sean Wainui (hamstring), Simon Parker (foot), Quinn Tupaea (knee).
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-team-named-to-face-the-brumbies-in-hamilton
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1 Scott Sio, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4 Darcy Swain, 5 Nick Frost, 6 Henry Stowers, 7 Rory Scott, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 10 Noah Lolesio, 11 Tom Wright, 12 Irae Simone, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Solomone Kata, 15 Tom Banks
Reserves: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Mack Hansen
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Tiatia must have some incriminating photos of McMillan.
The games Tiatia has played this year have shown he is much better as an impact sub off the bench.So Moli as a TH but with Ta'avao out that was the only option. Angus was due a rest anyway.
I hope the coaches have been emphasising discipline this week as the Brumbies will be much more clinical than the Force when they kick into the corners for a lineout.
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@arhs said in Chiefs v Brumbies:
Want to see Sullivan given a chance on the wing.
Me too. McMillan says they are still looking for the right back three combo so why not give Stevenson a start in his favoured position?
Does Trask play 1st 5 or fullback when he comes on? Could be either.
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Tiatia really doesnt look like a professional rugby player, particularly a back does he!
