Chiefs 2023

[Bovidae]

Good luck to him in Japan. Brown isn't going to be a starter, or even make the bench in the Chiefs best 23.

I'd be looking for an openside as Cane has had his injury concerns in recent years. Ah Kuoi looks to be an option at 6 moving forward.

[Yeetyaah]

Loyal Chiefs man but no great loss as far as players go.

[Bovidae]

To me the best options are M Jacobson or Florence, and both were involved this year. Jacobson is in great form. Having to use Luke, especially, at 7 when Cane went down showed the imbalance of the loosies selected.

[Crucial]

He has been very handy backup at times when injury strikes.

[Bovidae]

Hopefully we get some media releases for new signings soon. Replacements for Brown, Lowe and Tiatia are definitely needed; and 3 of the 6 props have question marks on them based on having had major surgeries (O'Neill, Mafileo) or are permanent food bills (Moli).

[cliff]

@Bovidae and perhaps a replacement for Simon parker who is always injured, I'd go for tevita li or kini naholo as a replacement for Lowe and Peter lakai as the loosie

[Tim]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:

tevita li

@FakatavaAllBlack has claimed that the Chiefs have signed him.

[Tim]

Wonder if the Blues have Lam locked up?

[Yeetyaah]

@Tim said in Chiefs 2023:

@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:

tevita li

@FakatavaAllBlack has claimed that the Chiefs have signed him.

@FakatavaAllBlack what's the source here. I'm starved for singings please help.

[Canes4life]

@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:

@Bovidae and perhaps a replacement for Simon parker who is always injured, I'd go for tevita li or kini naholo as a replacement for Lowe and Peter lakai as the loosie

Keep your mits off Lakai. 🙃

[Yeetyaah]

I quite like Nikora Broughton tbh. He'd go all good.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2023:

I quite like Nikora Broughton tbh. He'd go all good.

More a 6/8 though, which the Chiefs are already stacked with. The other 7 option would be Jacob Norris.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Kaylum Boshier?

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:

@Bovidae Kaylum Boshier?

Again, a no.8 played at openside when injuries struck.

[cliff]

@Yeetyaah I like Broughton too seems to have a physical edge in his game

[cgrant]

I am a fan of Florence. He runs and tackles hard. Not sure of his work at the breakdown though.

[Bovidae]

[Yeetyaah]

Was listening to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod this morning and they mentioned Tevita Li. He has a contract in Japan for next year so won't be playing Super. Contracts are weird nowadays but I wouldn't say he's someone worth a battle for a contract over.

[Crucial]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2023:

Was listening to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod this morning and they mentioned Tevita Li. He has a contract in Japan for next year so won't be playing Super. Contacts are weird nowadays but I wouldn't say he's someone worth a battle for a contract over.

That's a pity because firepower on the fringe was badly missing last year. It was almost a case of brilliant work being done to create an opportunity out wide then........nothing there.
The balance in the backs will be the big question next year. If DMac is at 10 do all the other 10s sit on the bench in rotation or take the 15?
If DMac is at 15 primarily then who is the power on the edge?
I would prefer Stevenson at 15 myself. Gatland and Trask can play backups.
There were early rumours about Zarn Sullivan. Is he locked at the Blues? If so, wasted talent. NZ rugby needs that boy playing.

[Bovidae]

The biggest failure of McMillan and co this year was not playing outside backs in their best positions. We saw Trask, Tiatia, Narawa and even Ioane used at fullback at different times but never Stevenson. Puzzling.