Chiefs 2023
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I happened to sit in front of the Chiefs coaches at the Waikato-BOP game. A good opportunity to ask some questions.
Trask's move to Japan has been co-ordinated by the Chiefs to give him move time at 1st 5 so he will play for Honda and return to BOP next year and not miss too much SR. They see him as a 10, not a fullback, which is the right decision. That likely also suggests DMac and Gatland are the preferred choices at 1st 5.
I did say it would be good to announce some signings for the outside backs. They have signed some players but are keeping that info quiet at the moment.
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@Bovidae. I am interested to know who. I like Malimali Brash and Moananu from Counties. Inga Finau has been very good for BOP. Lean pickings for unsigned outside backs though. Kini Naholo or Ed Fidow maybe as a power winger? Sinkinson is possible but not an imposing choice.
Mitch J and Florence would be good adds in the loosies and Dyer at prop. Cashmore or Kemara as a 10 maybe. Not many gaps in the Chiefs squad! -
@ARHS I don't think they need any more 1st 5s in the squad, assuming Reihana is back too. Three is enough. Cashmore could be part of the WTG if the Crusaders interest doesn't eventuate. Ioane isn't needed either.
As to the outside backs, I am wondering if they've signed someone from another franchise who is either off-contract or looking for more opportunity to play.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens would be the obvious choice from the Blues, but he has been disappointing for Taranaki this season.
We'll find out in due course.
Yes, I thought JRK has been poor when I have seen him. My earlier post was a response to the question as to whether there is anyone looking for greater chances elsewhere. I do see a logjam at the Blues for starting positions. The key is whether RTS wants to concentrate on being a winger. With Lam, Clarke and Telea he may not get many chances.
There may be some positional decisions with the Chiefs too. I don't rate Ioane as a 10, but maybe he gets time at 12 with Tupaea out. And, after last year, maybe DMac needs to play 15, leaving Gatland to run the cutter.
Kaylum Boshier has been playing 8, and Chiefs are short an open-side in my view. I hope Mitch J finally gets the call up, but Adam Brash and Veveni Lasaqa are also very good, and Patrick McCurran has been a revelation.
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@ARHS Jacob Norris is another 7 who will be looked at. Lasaqa's time will come. I'd also like M Jacobson to get his chance.
I hope they don't use Ioane as a 2nd 5, and there is no word yet that he is back with the Chiefs for 2023. Nankivell and Poihipi will be the main options, with Inga Finau benefitting from Tupaea's injury.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@ARHS Jacob Norris is another 7 who will be looked at. Lasaqa's time will come. I'd also like M Jacobson to get his chance.
I hope they don't use Ioane as a 2nd 5, and there is no word yet that he is back with the Chiefs for 2023. Nankivell and Poihipi will be the main options, with Inga Finau benefitting from Tupaea's injury.
I’d hope that they use ALB as a 12, with Nankivell and Poihipi as 13s.
Dmac has to play at 10 for us to be a Championship contender.
It’d like us to pick up a winger with really good size. How big is Wrampling? Could he manage that as someone who comes off their wing as a runner for Dmac inside balls?
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2023:
I’d hope that they use ALB as a 12, with Nankivell and Poihipi as 13s.
Poihipi is not a centre. Nankivell can play there but prefers 2nd 5 (refer to Ta$man). If Tupaea was fit, he would be 12 and ALB at 13. I have no issues with ALB being able to switch between the two positions, and he may yet fill that role for the ABs. I just don't think there is a better centre option for the Chiefs.
How big is Wrampling? Could he manage that as someone who comes off their wing as a runner for Dmac inside balls?
He has some size, but needs to recover from major knee injuries. I'm not sure when Wrampling is expected to return.
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Old news now.
But the story does indicate that Ioane is back too.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Old news now.
But the story does indicate that Ioane is back too.
Found that incredibly interesting that was done on Chiefs behest, bloody good planning etc I think, and the kind of thinking that will make Chiefs a force in coming years. Not just planning for the now but th future too!
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