Blues v Chiefs

Crucial

Hmmm, this line-up doesn't give me much confidence in a Chiefs' win. ABs protocols aside, I don't see the benefit of starting Cane at 8. And why start Trask on debut, and not Cruden?

Is Allardice injured? I can see that as the only reason for Ardron starting at lock, instead of 8.

I like 11-13, 15.

I think they are taking a reverse approach to the bench and hoping for a really strong second half after a (hopeful) first half feeling out process.

I'd rather have Cruden coming on at half time than Trask. ALB can come on and use the benefit of watching the Blues midfield from the stand. Very strong front row to come on and finish as well.

Yeetyaah

Shit I'm excited to see that midfield combo. Weird to see Cane at 8 though. Bring on the game.

Yeetyaah

Thought I'd drop this here. I decided to be a cheeky bugger on the Blues Instagram the other night and got roasted by them in return. Rieko Ioane then shared it on his Instagram story.

KiwiMurph

Interesting that Chiefs and Gatland are happy to put Trask at 10 for game 1 meanwhile the Canes won't even put McLutchie in their squad but instead go with 3 journeyman 10s.

DrivingMaul

@KiwiMurph That's harsh, Fletch Smith is hardly a journey man

Crucial

@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:

@KiwiMurph That's harsh, Fletch Smith is hardly a journey man

Well he has journeyed from Ta$man to Canterbury to Otago to Wellington without setting the rugby world alight.....

KiwiMurph

@Crucial don't forget Waikato.

Crucial

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Crucial don't forget Waikato.

The home of the 'journey'

DrivingMaul

This is his big opportunity

Tim

According to radio sport, Rieko Ioane has dropped some weight. Trying to boost speed?

Yeetyaah

@Tim surely he wouldn't need it. He's quite a lean athlete. Was speed his issue last year?

KiwiMurph

@Yeetyaah actually yes. He looked less explosive last year than earlier years. It looked like was carrying some more weight. So I think this is a good move.

Tim

Machpants

@Tim said in Blues v Chiefs:

According to radio sport, Rieko Ioane has dropped some weight. Trying to boost speed?

Dropping weight for the midfield from wing?

KiwiMurph

Nice to see a different approach is being taken with Akira (ie not playing him into the ground).

Was expecting Rieko at 13. Excited to see how Marchant goes.

Tim

There are several players with minor injuries who are not available for the opening round including James Parsons (back), Otere Black (rib), Finlay Christie (neck), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (shoulder), Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Jared Page, Tanielu Tele’a while James Tucker is waiting on scan results on an injured knee..

https://blues.rugby/rieko-ioane-eyes-50th-cap/

Tim

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12304307

Duluth

Lamborn is the biggest surprise. I guess he went well in the pre-season?

Looking forward to see how the hookers go. Eklund is a good solid player and then hopefully Niuia can have a similar impact he had at the RWC

DrivingMaul

With rookie hookers and a 6 in the locks (Robinson) I expect the Chiefs to really target the lineout

mariner4life

@Duluth said in Blues v Chiefs:

Lamborn is the biggest surprise. I guess he went well in the pre-season?

Looking forward to see how the hookers go. Eklund is a good solid player and then hopefully Niuia can have a similar impact he had at the RWC

As a Chiefs fan, I'm gonna miss Parsons...

The Silver Fern

Blues v Chiefs