Chiefs 2023
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Some comments from McMillan.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-squad-announced-for-2023
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@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2023:
Punivai is a bit if a surprise eh. Not too many changes. I haven't watched enough Counties games to guage whether Malimali is a good signing or not. Dyer is a great signing.
He looks like one of those flying Fijians who can destroy teams with a little bit of space. An exciting signing but whether he gets any game time is another question.
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It is a 'problem' that is nice to have but given the options available through the squad it will take careful planning to establish a 1st 23 and have them firing together at the right point of the season.
This is the bit about Super that the Crusaders do so well. You don't often see their best team roll out until the finals (yet they still place highly) while everyone else tries to get their strongest on all the time. Blues last year got it wrong. Caught up in doing so well on the table and forgot to turn up when it mattered.
If I can be bothered I will look at the draw and see how well paced it is.
BBBR and Cane will be managed and I expect they will dip in and out of the schedule to keep match fit but not overworked. Same to a lesser extent for Sami T. He has a big year as well.Edit: Here is the draw
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Very powerful squad , if they can beat the injury curse they are my pick to win the title ..
Can’t wait to check out the TAB odds , worth a tip -
Draw isn't too bad for pacing.
"Big" games at rounds 1,6,8,10,13,14
A four match run to get the squad members going and chances to shine. (2,3,4,5)
A middle stanza that goes Blues, Bye, Canes, Drua, Crusaders which is about as good as you could ask for.
A building last stretch to get the A team going with a 'warm down' last game.Dreams are free.
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Match 23 selection was a problem this year, so needs to be better in 2023. I'll be interested to see which bench loose forward is chosen as the starting trio looks locked in now (Ah Kuoi, Cane, Jacobson). Will PGS play a big role? I am still concerned that there is no specialist no.7 if Cane isn't available or rested.
The same with the back three, and particularly who starts at fullback. That will be dependent on who starts at 1st 5. And Thompson needs to be played more than Slater.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Match 23 selection was a problem this year, so needs to be better in 2023. I'll be interested to see which bench loose forward is chosen as the starting trio looks locked in now (Ah Kuoi, Cane, Jacobson). Will PGS play a big role? I am still concerned that there is no specialist no.7 if Cane isn't available or rested.
The same with the back three, and particularly who starts at fullback. That will be dependent on who starts at 1st 5. And Thompson needs to be played more than Slater.
I don't disagree with any of that except that I think that, as fans, we need to move our mindset away from looking for the best 23 each week. That is a proven method of not having our best available 23 fit and firing at the pointy end.
I'm not advocating wrapping players in cotton wool, just careful planning and management of the whole squad to get good outcomes through the RR and looking to select and play the 'best' 23 through the month leading up to the finals. -
@Crucial McMillan and co did rotate quite a bit during the round robin, and I have no problem with that. My comments were more around not selecting players in their best positions, and I have used fullback as an example where Tiatia, Narawa and Trask were used there but Stevenson (or ENS) weren't.
The depth at lock should allow plenty of rotation there with little drop in quality. Lord is out until Rd 6 or so.
Some interesting comments on the Stuff blog via Aaron Goile:
Interestingly, McMillan said this morning that they may bring in another specialist openside flanker as the replacement for injured midfielder Quinn Tupaea.
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I thought it odd that they signed Punivai from outside area and let Sinkinson go to Canes. Am concerned they are short a 7 and let Mitch J and Florence go. Jacob Norris was average for BOP. Maybe Adam Brash as cover? Lasaqa?
Happy elsewhere. And pleased they signed Malimali over Nanai as he has potential -
@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Chiefs 2023 squad.
am i the only one that finds that really hard to read?
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@Kiwiwomble This should be easier to read.
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and to think, Malimali was playing club rugby in Northland last year and we couldnt find a spot for him!
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@Bovidae That is some strong lock stock right there even if some are rested or injured that some serious depth. Think our forwards in general should be able to deliver a very strong set piece. Tend to agree we are short a 7, however looking at the current global rules I am not so sure that is a major problem, just need mobile big bodies (generalization sure but fair I think) and I am thinking maybe why MacMillan didn't cover it in initial squad.
Relatively happy with the squad will be interesting what happens in the backline though, many players can cover a few positions and potentially a starting XV may not include any of the listed first fives
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Match 23 selection was a problem this year, so needs to be better in 2023. I'll be interested to see which bench loose forward is chosen as the starting trio looks locked in now (Ah Kuoi, Cane, Jacobson). Will PGS play a big role? I am still concerned that there is no specialist no.7 if Cane isn't available or rested.
The same with the back three, and particularly who starts at fullback. That will be dependent on who starts at 1st 5. And Thompson needs to be played more than Slater.
McKenzie is undeniably a lot more effective at 10, expect Stevenson or ENS at fullback.
