Chiefs 2023
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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.
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@Steven-Harris said in Chiefs 2023:
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 tipSame, also Blues have no Schmidt for 2023 which is another reason I'm picking Chiefs to win.
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@ARHS said in Chiefs 2023:
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?
Yes, very limited options now.
Happy elsewhere. And pleased they signed Malimali over Nanai as he has potential
I would think that Punivai was the last player selected. Nanai would have been a big risk with the injuries.
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@cgrant said in Chiefs 2023:
Punivai is an odd selection as Sinkinson was on hand. But I am not sold on both of them, as I was among those who think that Leroy Carter would have been the best choice.
Carter and DMac together?
Would be like a play date for ADHD kids. -
@cgrant said in Chiefs 2023:
Punivai is an odd selection as Sinkinson was on hand. But I am not sold on both of them, as I was among those who think that Leroy Carter would have been the best choice.
Punivai gives them some size out wide, which I assume was one of the attractions (1.90 m, 102 kg). The same reason there appeared to be some interest in Nanai.
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So best 23:?
1. O Norris
2. S Taukei'aho
3. A Taavao
4. J Lord
5. B Retallick
6. T Vaii
7. S Cane
8. L Jacobson
9. B Webber
10. B Gatland
11. E Nanai-Seturo
12. A Nankivell
13. A Lenert-Brown
14. S Stevenson
15. D Mckenzie16. B Slater
17. A Ross
18. A Moli
19. N Ah Kuoi
20. PG Sowakula
21. C Ratima/ X Roe
22. R Poihipi
23. E Narawa -
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@cgrant said in Chiefs 2023:
Punivai is an odd selection as Sinkinson was on hand. But I am not sold on both of them, as I was among those who think that Leroy Carter would have been the best choice.
Punivai gives them some size out wide, which I assume was one of the attractions (1.90 m, 102 kg). The same reason there appeared to be some interest in Nanai.
Punivai lacks real pace to be a top wing could be a decent centre though.
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This is the team I expect:
1 Ross
2 Taukei'aho
3 Ta'avao
4 Retallick
5 Vaa’i
6 Ah Kuoi
7 Cane
8 Jacobson
9 Weber
10 Gatland (McKenzie)
11 Nanai-Seturo/Malimali
12 Nankivell/Poihipi
13 Lienert-Brown
14 Stevenson (Narawa)
15 McKenzie (Stevenson)16 Thompson
17 Norris
18 Moli/Dyer
19 Selby-Rickit
20 Sowakula
21 Roe
22 Poihipi/Nankivell
23 Narawa (Gatland/Ioane) -
Poihipi is an interesting one. I thought he showed some glimpses of usefulness last Super season, and sparodically for Canterbury this year, but he was part of a pretty poor Canterbury midfield. Time will tell if it was players around him or if he was part of the problem.
