Chiefs 2023
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@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
Well looking like I will have to go to New Plymouth May 12th, Chiefs are playing Reds
Media release:
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/dhl-super-rugby-pacific-to-return-to-taranaki
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Not wanting to read too much into a pre-season game but what is the story with Reihana.
He was standing next to the ABs and injured so must have been one of the latter.
Hardly given any opportunity last year and when he did he looked quite sharp only to disappear again. I know they have Trask earmarked to come back and Gatland/DMac/Ioane are unknowns for 2024 but surely they are carrying Reihana for a reason?
Gatland is in the last year of his contract so I doubt they will re-sign him. From Gatland's POV it would be a good time to cash in in the UK or Japan. Yeah, they have gone all-in with Trask and retained Reihana. That has meant missing out on Kemara. DMac could be off as well after the RWC so it might be Trask, Reihana and maybe Cashmore for 2024.
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@Chris said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial Let's see who plays where next week. I see the selections at 10 and 15 about giving those players 40 mins. At least Stevenson starts at fullback in the 2nd half.
God I hope you're right because McKenzie has all attributes to be the best 10 in NZ, cautiously awaiting a Dmac Jordie 10-12 axis for 2024. Sullivan or Love should cover 10 off the bench unless Mo'unga returns for the 2027 event, then it'll be anyone's guess..
I am as keen as anyone to see Sullivan at 10 because I suspect he may be pretty useful there, but to say he should be bench cover at 10 for the ABs next year is big call. We don't actually know if he is any good at 10 or not.
And not likely to get much game time at 10 in SR this season.
McDonald also prefers Perofeta starting at 15 despite Sullivan being a vastly superior fullback, Leon is a poor selector, which is part of the problem.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
Well looking like I will have to go to New Plymouth May 12th, Chiefs are playing Reds
Media release:
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/dhl-super-rugby-pacific-to-return-to-taranaki
Just realised something,May the 12th is actually me and wifes Golden Wedding anniversary, so I will probably need to take wife out for tea, on way to rugby!
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@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
Well looking like I will have to go to New Plymouth May 12th, Chiefs are playing Reds
Media release:
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/dhl-super-rugby-pacific-to-return-to-taranaki
Just realised something,May the 12th is actually me and wifes Golden Wedding anniversary, so I will probably need to take wife out for tea, on way to rugby!
Hot Dog AND Chips should be sweet.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
Well looking like I will have to go to New Plymouth May 12th, Chiefs are playing Reds
Media release:
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/dhl-super-rugby-pacific-to-return-to-taranaki
Just realised something,May the 12th is actually me and wifes Golden Wedding anniversary, so I will probably need to take wife out for tea, on way to rugby!
Hot Dog AND Chips should be sweet.
Yep and surely Gold section tickets should be the go!!
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It appears that Tupaea's replacement will be a midfielder (Lalomilo Lalomilo or Daniel Rona), not an openside as previously suggested. I was surprised that Jacob Norris was not in the reserves for the Pukekohe match.
The coach confirmed it looked as though the Chiefs had come through the 90 minutes against the Blues unscathed in terms of injury, and said he’d been impressed with both youngsters Lalomilo Lalomilo and Daniel Rona as they tussled for the spot as Quinn Tupaea’s replacement. Tupaea, though he’d started back running, was likely a casualty for the season.
“We’ve got to make a choice on which one stays in as replacement for Quinn long term. We’ll go away and have a look at the footage. It will be a hard decision – either way we’re going to be leaving a good player out.”
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Who has Alaimalo replaced?
No one, he is part of the WTG. Narawa didn't play against the Blues, Wrampling is returning from a long-term injury, and Punivai must be injured. So he and Coombes-Fabling have been used.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Who has Alaimalo replaced?
No one, he is part of the WTG. Narawa didn't play against the Blues, Wrampling is returning from a long-term injury, and Punivai must be injured. So he and Coombes-Fabling have been used.
I thought I saw a “welcome back” post with him in full kit as a posed photo.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Who has Alaimalo replaced?
No one, he is part of the WTG. Narawa didn't play against the Blues, Wrampling is returning from a long-term injury, and Punivai must be injured. So he and Coombes-Fabling have been used.
I thought I saw a “welcome back” post with him in full kit as a posed photo.
When was that? I know there something when the team got together before Christmas. The Chiefs may shock us and update the status of the players.
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Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
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@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
You need to put the 1st half scrum problems into context. The Blues had two AB props playing while the Chiefs had a young NDC player (Kaivelata) and then Tukuafu, who is only the 3rd choice TH for Waikato playing TH. With no Ta'avao and Moli off early McMillan still saved Dyer for the 2nd half. The scrum will be tested against the Crusaders but Ryan should make a big difference.
I was a little disappointed with Selby-Rickit around the field. Depending on who plays at 6, I can see him missing out in the 23.
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@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
