Nowadays players are identified at schoolboy level and commit to provinces/SR franchises then. That's how Reihana ended up at the Chiefs as he signed with Waikato despite playing at St Kent's and being from Northland. The Chiefs have more talent coming through than you think with 4 provinces to select from, and would have more depth than any of the other franchises except the Blues. The U20s were undefeated in the NZ competition this year. We are not going to be able to retain all of them but the likes of Vaa'i and Tupaea have come through that pathway. Below that Finau, Slater, Norris, Lord, K Boshier, Roe, Trask and ENS are some of the younger players in the current Chiefs squad.

Selecting Dylan Nel for one season in 2020 didn't make sense ahead of any loose forward from the 4 Chiefs provinces. Ataata Moeakiola was signed in 2019 which meant we eventually lost Sevu Reece.

@bones said in Waratahs v Chiefs:

@nostrildamus already plenty of turnover "specialists" in the squad weren't there, what else did he offer? It's not like others (including Kirifi) weren't also doing brilliantly at turnovers, as well as excelling in other areas.

He has a fantastic surname, ripe for puns.

@bovidae. Yep I would like to see Brodie back... But I noted the others playing club as is Finn Hoeata.

@stargazer said in Reds v Chiefs:

@booboo said in Reds v Chiefs:

And further, at the risk of ridicule, I still think the red was harsh.

It was understandable in terms of the protocol, but I still have reservations. To my mind he wasn't attempting a tackle, he ran into the line that the halfback was running, and there was resultant contact, made to look worse by slomo.

Fire away.

Okay, I'll bite. The red was fully deserved and very similar to that of Alex Hodgman, who got a 3-week suspension. If it was just an unfortunate collision while running into the same line as the Reds' halfback, he wouldn't have jumped and directed his left shoulder towards the halfback's upper body (I assume he intended to hit him in the chest or shoulder). If he was just running, he would have kept both his feet on the ground and ran straight. He would probably have braced for impact with his right arm; instead, he used his left shoulder.

I haven't read the entire thread, but I just would like to add that Weber deserves a Razzie for the worst actor. Faking to be shocked by the decision. 👎🏼

The other thing about that play with DMac going in like that, it also exposed a hole. Poor play all round.

@pakman said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

Watched first half. Jacobson, DMac and ALB all very good. Chiefs scrum dominant. Ross and, in particular, Mafileo getting plaudits. A word also for Vaa’i at TH — excellent grunt and noticeably weakened when he went off, and Taukei'aho, who seems to have been very effective attacking Alaalatoa.

As against Ponies, who Ben Darwin on podcast said were trying a new TH lock behind Alaalatoa. Hames also noted that chiefs scrum lost extreme potency once Vaa'i departed.

The way Tiatia was playing it was more likely to be a try for the Force at the other end of the field.

@nostrildamus said in SRA Round 10: Blues v Chiefs:

@snowy said in SRA Round 10: Blues v Chiefs:

@nzzp said in SRA Round 10: Blues v Chiefs:

@bovidae second year syndrome - suddenly you get marked, and you lift your game 🙂

Yep. Use the extra attention to distribute / offload and find the space that is created elsewhere. Maybe that is why he keeps heading infield rather than trying to go outside? Trying to link up, rather than go over or through a couple of defenders.

yeah but it helps if you have the ball..

True. Limited opportunities, but making the most of them is also key. The Blues aren't great at converting breaks into points.

@derpus It doesn't need to be - it just needs a better balance restored, where the spectators aren't being punished for player misdeeds - and sometimes just perceived misdeeds.

Screen Shot 2021-04-25 at 21.18.07.png

@bovidae Cook Savage a Northland Boy from Kaitaia ,also Corey Evans from the Blues another Kaitaia lad .

@old-samurai-jack said in SRA round 8: Chiefs v Crusaders:

The way both teams dealt with the breakdown seemed completely different. The Crusaders were happy to concede a lot and fan across in defense. The Chiefs put numbers in there and there were numerous hands competing for the ball. I wonder if the Chiefs would have been penalized more with a different ref.

Maybe initially - but you always push the boundaries and see where the line is.

Problem is when the line changes mid-game 😁

@cgrant Higgins had more knock-ons, missed tackles and other handling errors, but in the highlights alone he misses the tackle that leads to the second Chiefs' try, butchers a try scoring opportunity by dotting down too early (short) and is offside for the failed intercept attempt (giving away 3 points). He didn't have a great first half (even the commentators mention it several times), but his second half was better. His second try was the result of some good quick thinking; his first was created by Godfrey and he basically only had to dot it down. No doubt he has talent and definitely a good work rate, but the second half highlights are flattering him and he definitely wasn't the best back on the field. That was Godfrey by a country mile, but unfortunately, you can't see that in the highlights.

@mikey07 You may be rights about that 5-year-contract haha.

@bovidae said in Highlanders v Chiefs (Sat 10/4/21):

@dan54 My invoice to NZR has been posted.

A logical, thought through idea? You're barking up the wrong tree there pal.

@machpants said in Chiefs v Blues (27 March 2021):

@pakman So when you nee hits the ground you decelerate to zero in an instant? The body above the knee is not flung forward? Nope, his upper body and arms are still moving forward, at quite a speed, it gives momentum to the ball. Flat ball, right call

Nice theory, shame the side ons don’t show that.

I actually think his arm goes forward, but that isn’t clear.

If you’re really interested I suggest you spend a few minutes watching the various angles.

I’ve done it, but will leave my input at that.

Onward to the Canes...

@nepia said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@chris said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@frank said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@antipodean said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@bobily2 said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@antipodean said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@bobily2 said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@antipodean said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@frank said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@tim said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

DMac needs to start at 10 for the Chiefs.

DMac needs to be given more time at 10, and maybe given another try at 10 for the ABs.

Fuck right off.

He did well at 10 against France in his first start there. One of the best games I've seen from an AB 10 over the last 4 or 5 years

Is that a joke? The France game where they had one foot on the plane already?

Jesus christ one good half against a shit Canes team and people are calling for him to be five-eighth for the All Blacks.

It's not like every player looked amazing against that French team. He stood out more than most.

And I've been calling for it for awhile (perhaps s not on this forum). Based on much more than one game.

I'll change my position when he continuously displays a calm demeanour on the field instead of his usual headless chicken act. Yes he played well today in the second half. It was against the Canes. A little perspective.

Mo'unga handily contributed to us losing against the Poms with his pathetic defense leading to the first try. Beauden has had a million chances but struggles in tight games where he just shovels it sideways. Both are good in space though.

McKenzie may be no better, but it's not like either Mo'unga or Barrett are brilliant options. Both have their limitations.

Oh, and McKenzie is a better goalkicker than both of them.

Not sure McKenzies has any better front on defence at First Five he was average a few times in the Canes match so not sure what you are gaining there nothing I reckon.
The chiefs coaches must have thought the same they shuffled him to the wing a fair bit in defence so the big boys couldn't run at him down that channel.

I think DMac is probably more willing to throw himself in front of the big boys and he usually slows them down, but that's just an impression I get.

I thought Mounga was strong defensively against the Blues he pulled off some crucial tackles against the Blues big boys as well.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned ( I think) is how brutal Christie's defense is. Wow! He hurt himself though.

@arhs yes, the way he gave up was frustrating. I agree the defensive accuracy of the entire team was miles off, when your All Balcks are missing routine one on one tackles that indicates a broader issue.

@act-crusader said in Game of three halves - Blues/Crusaders/Chiefs - 20/02, 12pm:

Agree. Nock has huge upside I reckon but will need time.

is looking like his time is now, was starting to look good last Super season, until he was dropped, presumably for a off-field incident (breach of team rules form what I heard) but was superb for Northland.

Am thinking Christie will get first chances though, but we know how attritional things are, so he will get his shot.

Photosport gallery:

https://photosportnz.photoshelter.com/gallery/210213-Game-of-3-Halves-Preseason/G0000WAmARXB0J4I/C0000azGTB7px3Ds

@bovidae haha I thought they looked better in person tbh.

@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:

When did dwarf throwing deserve a three week suspension?

Since 2011, when the initial punishment was early exit from a RWC

@No-Quarter said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@kiwiinmelb said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@mariner4life said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

One point from my perspective.

Mounga and Jordan the most dangerous players on the park, looking like top level players.

While our starting all black wingers just look average.

And for all our talk of midfield depth, the guys most likely to start the first test aren't showing much.

Okay 2 points.

I would actually consider Jordan to play right wing

Agree, a back three of Rieko, Jordie and Jordan is looking our best bet at this stage (IMO)

Be interesting to see if his mentioned defence deficiencies can be ironed out in the ABs.

Pierce was very good for his comeback within the 23. He is a better lock the Goodhue IMO but PT and GCT are on fire for the moment so it will be hard for him to find a place in the starting 8.

Halfbacks discussing their Bantam weight scrap post match -

@mariner4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

@Stargazer should be given a reward

The mere idea he should be penalised for two players running into the same space is ridiculous. As is the "late tackle" explanation. There's no tackle, just a halfback getting in the way of a flanker.

@sparky said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@cgrant said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Ah Kuoi was the best lock on the paddock. His workrate is impressive and he is quite dynamic in the loose. Not a bad LO jumper either.

Disagree, Sam Whitelock and Mitch Brown both made twice the number of tackles as him and hit more rucks. Not a vintage performance from Sam Whitelock, but he was still the best lock on the paddock in that game.

He was the only lock. The rest were trainees

That would be the ideal scenario,

very good chance the Crusaders could end up more than a game clear by the time we get there though, by beating them first time around at home , and accumulating more bonus points

@Hooroo about 20 or so?

Didnt stand out, but then his team was getting bullied and didnt look like they had much of a game plan, so tough to make too much of an assessment

@Bovidae that was my point.

@Jailbreak7 said in Chiefs v Brumbies (round 4):

Colour me irritated/disappointed bloody annoyed.
Not with the loss so much (then again, maybe) but more the manner in which we lost.
Chiefs have prided themseleves on their D for the 1st 3 games. The D against the Ponies was weak as water non-existent at times

Agreed. People are talking about how good the Brumbies were - not hard to look good when you're consistently going forward and making breaks from poor defence.

A straight line instead of shooters leaving gaping holes and making first up tackles would've resulted in the Brumbies kicking more often, giving some possession to the Chiefs.

Split the Japan/SR conversation to its own thread

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/3783/japan-and-super-rugby

@ACT-Crusader Mounga would've made a big difference on Saturday.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

just put a different halfback in rather for some reason always defaulting to Ruru as the starter

you would hope Nock will get a chance this weekend, and he has a massive opportunity to claim that jersey, if not, Christie will get his chance and the merry-go-round will continue.

@Stargazer I still remember how filthy I was at Clarke about jumping on Alaimalo after he scored the try and injuring him for the whole season. In hindsight, he's leaving anyway so 🤷

@MN5 said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:

@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:

@MN5 said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:

@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:

@MN5

As you want to be wilfully obtuse/dense I'll break it down for you

Fact that ARG are 10th in rankings is:

A. Meaningless

B. Linked to their lack of intensity for Test matches they consider friendlies

There's been ALOT of changes to ARG in last 18 months

Ledesma going from Jaguares HC to Pumas HC in 2018

As well as Quesada now being the Jaguares HC in 2019

Times are changing

Pumas have woken up from their lethargy & incompetence at all levels of the game

Says who ?

I have a feeling the ABs would be mighty pissed off if they lost the number one ranking.

Scotlands two victories both came in the last 18 months.

ABs are a different animal They've been #1 for most of the Professional Era

Pumas have no interest TBH in rankings You can play mickey mouse teams & pick up points

**SCO victories whilst nice are ultimately meaningless long term

RWC is the objective & as I've stated already Pumas were still getting their shit together**

OK, well in that case hopefully all international matches between World Cups are called off. What's the point in them ?

Pub quiz in Glasgow.. "And the final question to win the £200 is:
Take Thats first album consisted of four words, the first two words were "Take That" so what was the second two words. . .?

There was a long pause then a wee Glasgow man pipes up...

Was it "Ya C@nt"...?! 😂😂

Think we’d have a better shot against the Jaguares, but the direct flight to Christchurch is understandably more appealing!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/113466880/super-rugby-chiefs-hoping-to-face-topseeded-crusaders-in-quarterfinal

@shark

It's not hard to understand, it's merely wrong.

Each of Havili'i, Bridge, Reece and Ennor are in possible AB contention. They would not care less about the guys behind them, because the guys behind are far worse than they are. They will play every game as well as they can, because they are looking at higher honours, not over their shoulders.

Meanwhile other teams have their best players not being fielded. That's a far worse situation that worrying that some of your also-rans can't make the team.

I would love it if the Chiefs could field Damien McKenzie, at the cost of not being able to field Etene Nanai-Seturo.