Crusaders v Chiefs
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I think they had a very tough early draw made worse by losing the MP game amidst AB return to play protocols. So I assume the strategy is to develop strength in depth now in expectation of covid and travel fatigue hitting teams hard in latter stages of comp. If so then it is wise given they seem to have better overall depth than their competitors.
Would be less happy if straight A team fielded each week except for a complete B team against MP. Canes seem to be mixing it up like Chiefs and Highlanders too. Will be interesting to see how it all pans out. -
They could change some of the upcoming fixtures to make use of the bye weeks. At the moment the teams that will have a bye together do not match-up with postponed games.
Rd 7 - Chiefs, Hurricanes
Rd 8 - Moana Pasifika, Highlanders
Rd 9 - Blues, Crusaders -
@african-monkey said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Mafileo could be a big loss here. He wouldn't get bullied around at scrum time like Ta'avao could be.
Was also looking forward to seeing how Josh Lord went against strong opposition as the kid is some talent imo along with Va'ai.
The Chiefs have a lot of good things going for them going forward.
Was Mafileo injured? Looked quite good at scrum time in bits I saw of Blue game.
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But, asked about his lineup on Thursday, coach Clayton McMillan revealed they have one positive Covid case in the squad, with another half dozen players having also not been considered for the round-four contest, in order to try and limit the disruption somewhat."We had seven guys identified after the weekend, one has come back as a positive case but asymptomatic, the other six have all been cleared through PCR and RAT testing." “But because we took the very safe measure of having them isolate away from the group, it meant that they missed Monday’s and Tuesday’s training, so in order to prepare the team as best as possible to go down and play the Crusaders, we felt it was better that we just selected the team in advance of them being cleared.” -
@pakman said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@african-monkey said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Mafileo could be a big loss here. He wouldn't get bullied around at scrum time like Ta'avao could be.
Was also looking forward to seeing how Josh Lord went against strong opposition as the kid is some talent imo along with Va'ai.
The Chiefs have a lot of good things going for them going forward.
Was Mafileo injured? Looked quite good at scrum time in bits I saw of Blue game.
George Dyer is a strong scrummager too, at least at NPC level. Brings more than Mafileo in the loose.
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@cgrant said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
George Dyer is a strong scrummager too, at least at NPC level. Brings more than Mafileo in the loose.
The problem will be Ta'avao starting against Moody. I expect Dyer to be a full squad member next year, and he is most likely O'Neill's injury replacement now. He is the same age as Norris, so still very young for a prop.
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A few changes to the lineups
The Crusaders and Chiefs have made late changes to their teams ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific match in Christchurch on Saturday night. The Crusaders have lost captain and lock Scott Barrett from the starting line-up. Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams and Mitch Dunshea have also been removed from the reserves. All been forced to withdraw on “medical grounds’’, a Crusaders spokesperson said. Hooker Codie Taylor has been named skipper in the absence of Barrett, who has been replaced by Quinten Strange in the starting XV. On the bench Shilo Klein has replaced hooker McAlister and prop Abrahan Pole has been recruited to fill the vacancy created by Williams’ departure. George Bower has been listed in the No 18 jersey, with Pole taking Bower's No 17. Dominic Gardiner will provide cover at lock following the promotion of Strange to the run-on team. The Chiefs have replaced left wing Etene Nanai-Seturo with Alex Nankivell for an undisclosed reason. Tom Florence has been confirmed to be on the bench in the No 20 jersey. -
@duluth said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
A few changes to the lineups
The Crusaders and Chiefs have made late changes to their teams ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific match in Christchurch on Saturday night. The Crusaders have lost captain and lock Scott Barrett from the starting line-up. Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams and Mitch Dunshea have also been removed from the reserves. All been forced to withdraw on “medical grounds’’, a Crusaders spokesperson said. Hooker Codie Taylor has been named skipper in the absence of Barrett, who has been replaced by Quinten Strange in the starting XV. On the bench Shilo Klein has replaced hooker McAlister and prop Abrahan Pole has been recruited to fill the vacancy created by Williams’ departure. George Bower has been listed in the No 18 jersey, with Pole taking Bower's No 17. Dominic Gardiner will provide cover at lock following the promotion of Strange to the run-on team. The Chiefs have replaced left wing Etene Nanai-Seturo with Alex Nankivell for an undisclosed reason. Tom Florence has been confirmed to be on the bench in the No 20 jersey.Covid family dinner in the naki
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@toddy said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@machpants Was a good break by Moody. Though poor defence by PGS
Also aggressive tackle for turn over
