Chiefs v Hurricanes
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The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s. -
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
What I meant was yes, they should have no excuses this year, but the injuries to 10s will be what the hat is hung on.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s.Certainly doesn't help, but not saying Cameron and Loves injuries are excuse or reasons though. But on 10's I reckon that young Godfey who has only reall played 15a couple of times has some real potential. I was blown away when he came on in preseason against Crusaders(posted as such on here) at 10, he looked like he the kind of player I like at 10 seemed to have time with ball in hand and didn't look rushed.
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I agree re: the sentiment on Morgan. His ceiling is probably not that much higher than where he is now. But he definitely gives 100% and I think wears the jersey with pride.
I'm not sold on Love as a 10, yet. He is amazing at 15. As we know some 15s convert well to 10s (Larkham...) so hopefully down the track he'll get there.
Godfrey has been lightning, and could be the best option in the short term (but he's gone to the 20's right?)
A shame we lost Cameron. Lots of talent to pick from but he was the steady 10 this team needs to supplement the young 10s.
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@foobaNZ add in the rise of Roigard and the pending immergence of Riley Higgins and the Canes have some sound playmakers to build backline around. It's just a case of fitting everyone onto the park when you add in Barrett, Proctor, Sullivan, Naholo etc aswell.
The incoming coach is going to have a squad that's primed for success. Unlike other teams the Hurricanes are probably going to be the least effected by the post WC exodus so I expect us to be right up there next year.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@foobaNZ add in the rise of Roigard and the pending immergence of Riley Higgins and the Canes have some sound playmakers to build backline around. It's just a case of fitting everyone onto the park when you add in Barrett, Proctor, Sullivan, Naholo etc aswell.
The incoming coach is going to have a squad that's primed for success. Unlike other teams the Hurricanes are probably going to be the least effected by the post WC exodus so I expect us to be right up there next year.
I tend to agree with you there. Some other teams are going to be heavily impacted.
We saw on Friday what the Chiefs without Cane, BBBR and Weber looked like and they dropped a notch in leadership and hardness.
Saders will have a coaching regime change and be rebuilding a 9/10 combo.
Blues will need to decide on a 10. -
@Canes4life but we both know we'll pick a dud coach and squander it. Lol
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@mikey07 said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@mikedogz Weird I don’t think he’s been playing for any Wellington teams and you think if he was with the Canes they would release him to play club rugby.
He just became a dad but I don't think it would have taken him out of too many games.
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@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@mikey07 said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@mikedogz Weird I don’t think he’s been playing for any Wellington teams and you think if he was with the Canes they would release him to play club rugby.
He just became a dad but I don't think it would have taken him out of too many games.
He did the work months ago.
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@ARHS said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
Finau needs a rest.
I think that PGS will start at 6 as he and Finau have tended to rotate.
Wondering about 10 but if Gatland unavailable Dmac makes 23. Though maybe Ioane starts and Reihana on bench if Canes likely to play weaker team.
DMac to start with Ioane on the bench to cover 10/15 - like he did in the Rd 1 game against the Crusaders. Ioane and Reihana for the Force game.
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@mikey07 said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
Adam Cooper had tweeted earlier today that Holland is resting both Ardie and Jordie this week which seems to confirm the theory we’re not fused about this game.
Maybe Lomax is starting
Blackwell is often (not always) a handicap against the better sides. But he's always selected. And it's made worse when he has another short lock partner and a short back row (as it ended up last Chiefs match as explained by Kiwi-expat in an earlier post). So as long as they get the team selections right (like Flander at 8 not Iose) and a tall 6 (like Delany) and a lock in the reserves (like Bird) and they get the replacements right (don't take Roigard off before its necessary and replace with an inferior replacement etc.) the team can still win even with Ardie and Jordie out. It will make it tougher of course. And morgan must really step up and play his best game. And stay on the full game as unsure who the backup first will be
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