Chiefs 2018
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Wondering how Mr Cooper will manage the 2 match break for ABs with Cane, Harris, Lienert Brown and McKenzie not missing a match yet. (Retallick has though)
So glad to hear this morning they are playing top XV vs Reds as they need every competition point they can get currently. But, totally against them risking/throwing the match v Stormers as well as match v Sharks by keeping all the AB's here in NZ. They desperately need the points against those teams well below them on the points table, who could sneak into playoffs contention. Harris is critical due to the propping crisis, and Lienert-Brown same in midfield.
Given their tough finish to the season I would prefer they keep their options open until last match v Hurricanes, assuming the latter will be far higher on points table. In between times, each of those players might need a break for injury, as well as the compulsory match off v Sharks.
I wonder how the Highlanders will manage it also, given 5 AB's without a break so far, and Codie Taylor, Laumape, Tu'ipolutu and the Ioane brothers the others affected most.
It is a real worry for me that managing this might impact significantly on finishing places in the NZ conference. What do others think on this topic? Nothing to worry about??
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@arhs said in Chiefs 2018:
So glad to hear this morning they are playing top XV vs Reds as they need every competition point they can get currently. But, totally against them risking/throwing the match v Stormers as well as match v Sharks by keeping all the AB's here in NZ.
The form the Sharks display against New Zealand sides, without your All Blacks, you can pencil that in as a loss.
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@mikedogz said in Chiefs 2018:
Development team off to Hong Kong
The first game of the tour - against a Hong Kong Select XV squad - is today at 7.50pm NZT.
Haven't seen a Chiefs line-up; don't think there will be a live stream. -
That's the only game they play.
Both Allardice and Kautai were listed to be playing club rugby today. The latter will ease some of the pressure at prop once he is fit.
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The tour includes the UoW Chiefs Taua Development team having training sessions with the Hong Kong national squad and playing a match against a Hong Kong national XV on Saturday 21 April at the Hong Kong Football Club, before returning on Monday 23 April. The UoW Chiefs Taua Development players will also participate in community engagement coaching events during their stay, together with the HKRU for young players from their Youth and Mini Rugby programmes.
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The Chiefs Dev team won 49-27 (HT: 35-15) against Hong Kong.
Full story here
https://www.hkrugby.com/news/hong-kong-take-positives-from-chiefs-development-loss -
Injuries after last Saturday's game:
All Blacks utility McKenzie copped friendly fire to the head from the knee of Angus Ta'avao and was forced from the field in the 20th minute, and because he was dazed he automatically failed the HIA assessment. Cooper said his star playmaker labelled himself fine on Sunday, but that he would have to go through the concussion protocols. Wainui left the park at the hour-mark with a shoulder problem, though there is a ready-made replacement on hand if need be, with Toni Pulu scheduled back from his own shoulder injury.
