Chiefs 2018

[ARHS]

@kiwimurph

Fair enough. Probably still blinded by TTT performance against Lions, and agree he playing much better now. But worried about Chiefs lack of power players, and losing a strong defender like Kerr-Barlow. Webber clears well, but not so physical, so looking for a more tigerish defender option and saw glimpses of that in Judd. Hall has been very good, but I think Drummond could be the best of the lot. Of course I hope I am proven wrong about physicality of Chiefs halfbacks, as they have already been selected. I was disappointed to see Christie go after his displays for Chiefs at end of season.

[Bovidae]

I'll have a go at a likely Chiefs squad. A disclaimer, with a new coach it is hard to know their preferences/biases, and I have no inside information.

Props (6):
LHs - Hames, Graham, Ross
THs - Laulala, Moli, Kautai

Hookers (3):
Harris, Polwart, Faiva/Taukei'aho/Su'a

Locks (5):
Retallick, Bird, Allardice, Seu, +1

Tucker might get selected again as he did last the NPC season and like Seu can play at 6.

Loose fowards (8):
Cane (6, 7, 8 )
Boshier (6, 7)
Karpik (7)
Brown (6, 8 )
Jacobson (6, 8 )
Messam (6, 8 )
Ardron (lock, 8 )
+1 - maybe Manihera

Halfbacks (3):
Weber, Tahuriorangi, Taumateine

1st 5s (3):
DMac, Falcon, +1 (ideally a more experienced 1st 5, Beaver could have filled that role)

Midfield (5):
Ngatai, ALB, +3 (options are Vaega, Wainui, Fa'auli, Nankivell, Leger, Sullivan)

Wingers/fullbacks (5):
Alaimalo, Pulu, Stevenson, TNW, +1 (Reece, Tiatia, Mataele, O'Donnell)

[Stargazer]

@bovidae Maybe McNicol too?

[Bovidae]

@stargazer

Forgot about him, and he provides a wing/fullback option. How is his melon?

[Number 10]

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2018:

@stargazer

Forgot about him, and he provides a wing/fullback option. How is his melon?

He played the whole 80 minutes of Hawke's Bay's last match v Manawatu so should be okay.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae He returned from his head injury on 25 August, when he finally made his Magpies debut. Then he suffered a rib injury against Otago on 10 September, from which he returned on 15 October in the final round robin game against Manawatu. He only played 5 games, but played well.

[mikedogz]

[Hooroo]

@mikedogz It's nice they have a photo of Brodie from back in the unders 9's team

[Tim]

Who's in your XXIII, Chiefs fans?

[Bovidae]

Some home-town signings from Cooper. I though Marty McKenzie might be in the squad. Hoeata was involved in the wider squad this year but I don't think he is a better lock than Tucker.

We must be able to do better than Verney for a midfield back.

[Hooroo]

Out of that lot, apart from Weber, who are the halfbacks?

[Bovidae]

@hooroo

See my post last night.

[mikedogz]

@hooroo Jonathon Taumataine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

[Hooroo]

Thanks.

I didn't see their positions under their names!

[Bovidae]

@tim said in Chiefs 2018:

Who's in your XXIII, Chiefs fans?

1. Hames

2. Harris

3. Laulala

4. Retallick

5. Bird

6. Brown

7. Cane

8. Messam

9. Weber (to start with)

10. DMac

11. Alaimalo

12. Ngatai

13. ALB

14. Pulu

15. Stevenson

16. Taukei'aho

17. Graham

18. Moli

19. Seu

20. Boshier

21. TTT

22. Falcon

23. TNW

[Hooroo]

@bovidae That is a very very sexy midfield!!!

[Hooroo]

@bovidae and even sexier front row!

[Tim]

@bovidae Cheers. Strong first XV. Probably questions over squad depth though?

[Hooroo]

@tim said in Chiefs 2018:

@bovidae Cheers. Strong first XV. Probably questions over squad depth though?

Agreed. Is Moli the hopeless Auckland lock?

[Hooroo]

Nope! prop I see. I really can answer most of my own questions