Chiefs 2020
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@Stargazer So that makes 2 NPC teams and 2 SR teams in NZ. At Geldenhuys' age the only reason he would be at the Chiefs is because their 3 AB props aren't training yet, and they need some extra bodies. Cobb would be the same, although at the other end of the age spectrum.
As for all players, Rico Gear was the ultimate rugby mercenary. It's a shorter list to say who he didn't play for.
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Pre-Season Fixture:
Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues
Date: Friday 17 January
Time: 3.00pm kick-off, 1.30pm gates open
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi
Tickets: https://www.chiefs.co.nz/game-ticketshttps://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-to-play-pre-season-match-in-waihi
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Barnes said at the team announcement that Gatland will give the assistant coaches plenty of responsibility to do their jobs but he expects accountability.
In his interview yesterday Gatland does say there will be some minor changes based on the feedback from the coaches.
"They've felt, in the last couple of years, they've tried to play too much rugby, and they haven't had the balance of playing territory and putting pressure on other teams."
I will be interested to see if the rush defence is employed. I remember it took Waikato a season to get that working back in 2005.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2020:
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"They've felt, in the last couple of years, they've tried to play too much rugby, and they haven't had the balance of playing territory and putting pressure on other teams."
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Uh oh, all I hear from that is welcome to 10 man rugby at the Chiefs.
But in all seriousness, there have been times in the past couple of years I wished they'd kicked the shit out of the ball ... which was easier when they had Ngatai and Lowe.
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Just looking and the transfers in and out of all SR teams, can't belive the Chiefs passed up on the chance to nab new talent McClutchie from under the Canes noses. Instead we have plumped for broken
warhorse Cruden, who spent most of last season in France on the sidellines, injured. -
@Jailbreak7 UK? I agree he's often broken but Cruden played for Montpellier in France.
The advantage of having Cruden in the team is that he can help with the development of the young 10s. Especially Falcon - who has been in the squad for a few years now (although injured) - must get enough game time though, preferably with several starts. If they don't focus on the development of the young first fives, they won't be any further the following season (2021), when Cruden is off to Japan.
You're right that a NZ franchise (preferably the Canes) should have picked up McClutchie. Instead, he'll get his first start this weekend for Docomo Red Hurricanes in a preseason game in Japan. I'm still really annoyed about that.
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@Stargazer Hmm yes - guess there are always injuries, but I would really rather a NZ franchise selected him first hand (especially since his running mate Fakatava has been picked up) so we could get a better look at him. Cross fingers an Aus franchise doesn't come knocking.
