Chiefs 2023
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I just scrolled through the info I had from the Chiefs 2022 thread. Without knowing all recent contract negotiations, the players off-contract this year are:
Sione Mafileo
Xavier Roe
Josh Ioane
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Chase TiatiaThere is plenty of uncertainty regarding the length of contracts with other players with no media releases.
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@chimoaus said in Chiefs 2023:
Are the Sullivan brothers both contracted next season? Would love to see them both in the side together. I think Dmac should be 10 as Gatland and Ioane were dire this year. With QT and ALB and Nank I think they have the midfield. I think the 11,14 & 15 is the issue.
Also is Moorby signed to the Canes next year?
Yup, Sullivan and Moorby will be Canes next year. Why would Sullivan move back to the Chiefs, that wouldn’t make any sense.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
I just scrolled through the info I had from the Chiefs 2022 thread. Without knowing all recent contract negotiations, the players off-contract this year are:
Sione Mafileo
Xavier Roe
Josh Ioane
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Chase TiatiaThere is plenty of uncertainty regarding the length of contracts with other players with no media releases.
Assuming Dmac comes back, we don't need any of those 3 10/outside backs. ENS might be worth another contract, only as we may not be able to sign anyone better.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@gt12 I wonder if Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens might be tempted to move? Even though he is still young, he's nowhere near the Blues 23.
I would still like to see Stevenson given a chance at fullback. He plays there for NH.
I'd love to get him. I assume part of his reason for the Blues is his partner plays up there, but he would be an obvious target.
Kini Naholo would likely have been a good option to have kept, and Fihaki would be a good option to try to sign.
Stevenson's boot is really underrated and we missed it once he was injured. He's rocks/diamonds but I'd keep him just because of his boot.
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This is the WTG player I had hoped would be brought into the squad for ALB, not Inga Finau.
Taniela Filimone - no.13
https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/turbos-players/taniela-filimone
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@Canes4life bugger I was really holding out hope that the Chiefs could poach Moorby
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@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2023:
@Canes4life bugger I was really holding out hope that the Chiefs could poach Moorby
Why would Moorby move though? He’s managed to cement his way into the starting side and was rookie of the year for the Canes. Would be silly to move.
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@Canes4life Moorby is playing for Northland in the NPC to be closer to family in the Waikato (he's from Te Awamutu) so might be happy to move "home" eventually.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Canes4life Moorby is playing for Northland in the NPC to be closer to family in the Waikato (he's from Te Awamutu) so might be happy to move "home" eventually.
Fair enough. Lol why wouldn’t he just sign with Waikato? Northland seems to be ages away from Te Awamutu.
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@Bovidae our new HP centre seems to have had the desired effect of players looking this way...
I think it was more a coincidence of timing than any kind of deal, but we picked up Moorby & Apoua from Southland, the same time we lost Gregory to Southland, so if there was some kind of deal, we won it
Alaimalo would have stayed if Northland hadnt pushed McLeod out!
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See link to pay-walled article below:
Most important bits:
Damian McKenzie is back in Hamilton with a newly inked year-and-a-half contract that will keep him at the Chiefs and in New Zealand rugby until the World Cup but the dynamic playmaker knows he faces fresh competition to regain his spot in the All Blacks this year.
Committing through to the 2023 World Cup in France leaves the door open for the 27-year-old to again take his talents offshore, or stay as a potentially senior figure in a depleted All Blacks squad.
For now, his return to the Chiefs significantly boosts their playmaking stocks. With Bryn Gatland growing his game and one test All Black Josh Ioane understood to have re-signed for a further two years, McKenzie is likely to slot in at fullback for the Chiefs.
McKenzie was not included in the All Blacks 36-man squad named last week for the three-test series against Ireland next month as he must first play for Waikato to be eligible. Once he satisfies that stipulation, he will likely go head-to-head with Perofeta for an All Blacks recall later this year.
"I'm not eligible for the Irish series or the initial squad naming for the Rugby Championship but my understanding is if there's an injury to maybe a 10 or 15 then I'm eligible to be brought into the squad. I'll just wait and see what happens. My mind at the moment is focused on the season with Waikato and if something pops up, I'll go from there.Whenever off-contract McKenzie is often linked to a move south. He grew up in Invercargill and shifted to Christ's College before joining Waikato in 2014. Now settled with a house in Hamilton, a return to his southern roots in not on the agenda anytime soon.
Having last played two matches for the Mooloos during the Covid-affected 2020 season, McKenzie is relishing a provincial return.
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@Stargazer If they don't play McKenzie at 10 then the coach must be very stupid.
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@Tim said in Chiefs 2023:
@Stargazer If they don't play McKenzie at 10 then the coach must be very stupid.
If they signed Ioane for two more seasons, they are stupid.
Exclusive: All Blacks star Damian McKenzie reveals rugby future