Chiefs vs Hurricanes

[Bovidae]

With the injuries I expect Dyer will have to play big minutes.

[Tim]

Hurricanes to take this.

Chiefs forward pack is average, reserve bench is poor, and their kicking game has been really off.

If Taukei'aho was going to have a stormer then now is the time. 1 and 4 through 8 aren't worrying anybody.

[Duluth]

Hurricanes Head to Hamilton for Chiefs Challenge

Xavier Numia
Raymond Tuputupu
Pasilio Tosi
Justin Sangster
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Devan Flanders - 50th Game
Peter Lakai
Brayden Iose
TJ Perenara
Brett Cameron
Kini Naholo
Jordie Barrett (C)
Billy Proctor
Josh Moorby
Ruben Love

James O’Reilly
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Tevita Mafileo
Caleb Delany
Te Kamaka Howden
Richard Judd
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Salesi Rayasi

Unavailable: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi

[foobaNZ]

Hope Lomax is back soon.

Any update on Aumua? If he tracking for playoffs?

We're a hell of lot better pack with Aumua and Lomax packing down.

[Tim]

@foobaNZ said in Chiefs vs Hurricanes:

Hope Lomax is back soon

Any word on this? Is he training?

[Canes4life]

@Tim no offical word. I’ve seen Aumua on the training paddock from the Canes photos on social but haven’t seen Lomax. Hopefully not a serious injury and they are just being cautious. On the bright side Mafileo is back and is on the bench this week.

If you had to pick two players at the beginning of the season that the Canes probably couldn’t lose it would have been Roigard and Lomax. Hopefully we can get Lomax back for the playoffs, aswell as Aumua.

[Tim]

Any word on Finau's fitness?

[Canes4life]

A few more details on the injuries:

Jordie Barrett will captain the Hurricanes against the Chiefs after regular skipper Brad Shields was ruled out with an injury suffered at training.

Coach Clark Laidlaw said Shields slipped during Monday’s session and strained a quadricep. He rated it a minor injury and hoped Shields could return for next weekend’s final regular season match against the Highlanders.

All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax (ankle) and flanker DuPlessis Kirifi (knee) will also miss the Chiefs game with bone bruising. Both are hoped to be back for the Highlanders match.

Devan Flanders will wear Shields’ No 6 jersey in his 50th match for the Hurricanes, Peter Lakai will return to No 7 and Pasilio Tosi will start at tighthead prop.

[Tim]

TAB odds:

Chiefs: $1.62
Hurricanes: $2.20

Spread: 2.5 points

[Winger]

@Duluth said in Chiefs vs Hurricanes:

Hurricanes Head to Hamilton for Chiefs Challenge

Xavier Numia
Raymond Tuputupu
Pasilio Tosi
Justin Sangster
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Devan Flanders - 50th Game
Peter Lakai
Brayden Iose
TJ Perenara
Brett Cameron
Kini Naholo
Jordie Barrett (C)
Billy Proctor
Josh Moorby
Ruben Love

James O’Reilly
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Tevita Mafileo
Caleb Delany
Te Kamaka Howden
Richard Judd
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Salesi Rayasi

Unavailable: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi

I wish they would give more info on the unavailable players. Esp Lomax

Raymond Tuputupu starts as a hooker. There are 2 other options so they must rate him highly. I'm still not convinced on his lineout throwing but certainly better than his first higher gametime game (replacing an injured JO)

2 locks who ballsed up catching the ball from kickoffs in recent matches. Grant maybe considered unlucky

PUJ continued selection is a mystery to me.

[BorderJB]

This will be a great game to test the Canes for the playoffs. Lomax is a big miss in the forwards there. Back line needs to click, it's clunky there with TJ, Cameron, Barrett. With Proctor back he can sure up the defense.

[pakman]

Chiefs by 10.

[Machpants]

@pakman said in Chiefs vs Hurricanes:

Chiefs by because of their 10.

FIFY

[Canes4life]

@pakman this game could very easily go either way. The team that wins the collisions and the breakdown will take it out.

[pakman]

I think Chiefs will continue to generate fast ball, hence backing them.

Eight hours..,

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Chiefs vs Hurricanes:

TAB odds:

Chiefs: $1.62
Hurricanes: $2.20

Spread: 2.5 points

Shifted slightly more towards the Chiefs in the last couple of days

Chiefs 1.55
Canes: 2.35

Line is 4.5 points

[Bovidae]

Less than 1000 tickets left now.

[Canes4life]

@pakman the Canes were able to demolish the Chiefs scrum and the collisions in the last outing which meant they were able to get ontop in the end. Without Aumua and Lomax that job will be tougher tonight away in Hamilton so you might be right. Hope our lads can sneak the four points though. Would be pissed if the Brumbies overtook us on the ladder.

[foobaNZ]

I read Aumua is a possibility next week. That'd be perfect!

[Canes4life]

@foobaNZ I heard the same, apparently the NZCIS facility where the Canes train is helping players recover 20-30% faster due to the gear they have at their disposal.