Highlanders vs Chiefs
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The Gallagher Chiefs team to take on the Highlanders is:
- Karl Tu’inukuafe (12)
- Liam Polwart (17)
- Angus Ta’avao (13)
- Michael Allardice (30)
- Tyler Ardron (8)
- Luke Jacobson (10)
- Sam Cane (c) (103)
- Liam Messam (175)
- Brad Weber (53)
- Damian McKenzie (62)
- Sean Wainui (11)
- Charlie Ngatai (52)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (52)
- Toni Pulu (30)
- Solomon Alaimalo (22)
RESERVES:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (6)
17. Sam Prattley (6)
18. Jeff Thwaites (9)
19. Jesse Parete (5)
20. Mitch Karpik (10)
21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (13)
22. Marty McKenzie (15)
23. Shaun Stevenson (29) -
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Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Ainley, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Richard Buckman. -
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
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From my understanding kautai and Aumua are available. Just that kautai isn’t getting selected and I heard whispers that Aumua has struggled with the step up to super rugby level training standards the whole year. He was named to play in that Ta$man game the other day.
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I can't understand the hype over Levi Aumua by some Ferners. He did not shine a lot during the Mitre 10 Cup and looks like a journeyman at best. But I hope I am wrong.
The Highlanders should win this one. They field a very strong team with two All Blacks on the bench. At scrum time, the duel between Tu'inukuafe and Tokolahi will be very interesting. -
@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
Wainui plays for Taranaki; Stevenson doesn't.
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What is frustrating about this is Stevenson is an original member of the squad, Wainui-Cooper is a replacement who has stayed around and held a spot in his non preferred position. He's actually been playing ok, but Alaimalo and Stevenson just offer more in a back 3.
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@footy01 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
From my understanding kautai and Aumua are available. Just that kautai isn’t getting selected
Kautai was meant to be on the bench for the Sharks game but was a late withdrawl with his back injury. I haven't seen his name in the Marist side in club rugby so maybe he is still having issues.
Aumua and Verney have been dud selections for whatever reason.
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@stargazer said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
Wainui plays for Taranaki; Stevenson doesn't.
Fuck.
Thanks, but, fuck. He’ll never break in now.
Wainui on the bench is just his role too, covers midfield and wing.
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@nepia said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
What is frustrating about this is Stevenson is an original member of the squad, Wainui-Cooper is a replacement who has stayed around and held a spot in his non preferred position. He's actually been playing ok, but Alaimalo and Stevenson just offer more in a back 3.
You'd have to think there were reasons seen in training that we aren't party to. Either that or Cooper sees more value in Stevenson being an impact player.
TBF though, I see Stevenson come on sometimes and 'out-flaky' DMac. He does some great things and some odd things.
The type of stuff that will iron out with more gametime, but maybe Cooper doesn't feel he can afford that from a starter. -
Yeah Stevenson reminds me of a slightly better Ambrose Curtis. I haven't seen him stake a claim and I reckon Wainui has actually been very good this season. So it strikes me as odd that people are up in arms over what appears to be a 60/40 decision in Wainui's favour.
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Wainui had defensive and positional lapses on several occasions early in the season, costing tries. He seemed a bit slow to anticipate things on the wing and got flat-footed - leaving huge gaps. But, he has improved, and got better on attack. Stevenson can have suspect hands, but covers the ground very well and makes cover tackles, and does clearance kicks well. I felt that Alaimalo lost confidence mid-season, but has height to contest the aerial ball, and for finishing. I want to see the investment made in Stevenson as I feel he has the most potential of the 3, just ahead of Alaimalo.
The frustration comes from seeing original selections like Stevenson, Aumua and Kautai overlooked for replacements like Wainui and Prattley, while Fa'aulii and Sowakula seemed to get extended opportunities ahead of others. At least we are seeing continuity, and combinations being developed.
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I've only managed to catch a few games so far this season, Rob Thompson has caught my eye, he's been playing well when I've watched the matches.
What up with Dan Pryor? Has he been injured?I should be able to watch the rest of the season now, looking forward to it
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