Crusaders v Chiefs
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@pukunui said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@MajorRage said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Just watched the "highlights".
Outside Reece catch and onto Jordan for the try they were bloody terrible. And it was only 6 minutes. What the hell happened in the other 74 minutes?
Lots of rain, lots of kicking.
Sowakula taking himself out of selection for the ABs, Taukeiaho taking himself outside selection for the ABs, Weber with crisp passing within the vicinity of the player receiving it. Stuff like that.
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That wasn't much of a looker for the neutral, was it?
Gatland doesn't seem to have a magic touch with the Chiefs. He had a massive impact with Connaught, Ireland, Wasps, Wales and B & I Lions, (a legend of the game) but doesn't seem able to work the same miracles with NZ teams. Not sure he's worth the coin he's on from NZR. After the 2021 Lions he'll retire or be looking after a NH side.
Great to see Sam Cane back. Best Number 7 and Captain in NZ.
Brad Weber's game deteriorates in the wet. Bryn Hall was the better Half Back.
Not sold on either George Bridge or Damian McKenzie for tight, difficult games. A mixed bag from Richie Mo'unga too.
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Cullen Grace, ALB, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan should all be in the 2020 AB squad if fit.
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@pukunui said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@MajorRage said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Just watched the "highlights".
Outside Reece catch and onto Jordan for the try they were bloody terrible. And it was only 6 minutes. What the hell happened in the other 74 minutes?
Lots of rain, lots of kicking.
Imagine playing under a roof...
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@sparky said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
That wasn't much of a looker for the neutral, was it?
Gatland doesn't seem to have a magic touch with the Chiefs. He had a massive impact with Connaught, Ireland, Wasps, Wales and B & I Lions, (a legend of the game) but doesn't seem able to work the same miracles with NZ teams. Not sure he's worth the coin he's on from NZR. After the 2021 Lions he'll retire or be looking after a NH side.
I’m far from a Gatland fan, but he’s a few games into a disrupted season. Plus the Chiefs roster has a few glaring holes, especially in the tight 5.
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I’m less concerned with Gats than his assistants - the coaching and skills of some of forwards are really dismal. I don’t think that’s on the head coach unless he doesn’t make some moves to make sure that it gets addressed quickly.
The complete lack of locks could be a relic of recruiting him from afar, and he’ll be gone next year too (with BBBR away too) so honestly, I think the Chiefs are a bit fucked until 2022 at the earliest.
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@gt12 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
I’m less concerned with Gats than his assistants - the coaching and skills of some of forwards are really dismal. I don’t think that’s on the head coach unless he makes some moves to make sure that it gets addressed quickly.
The complete lack of locks could be a relic of recruiting him from afar, and he’ll be gone next year too (with BBBR away too) so honestly, I think the Chiefs are a bit fucked until 2022 at the earliest.
There was a classic shot after the Chiefs lost another one of their lineouts where Gats was staring down at the back of Barnes’ head like he wanted to murder him
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I don’t quite know why the Chiefs needed to appoint Gatland pre his Lions commitment..Now the coaching team is full of men who are going to be understudies to Clayton McMillan.,next year.Think it may have been better to stay with Cooper till that Lion’s tour ended for continuity.
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@gt12 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
The complete lack of locks could be a relic of recruiting him from afar, and he’ll be gone next year too (with BBBR away too)
Injuries haven't helped. Without BBBR the starting locks were Ardron and Allardice with Brown as the backup. Ah Kuoi has been a pleasant surprise but is only 20, as is Vaa'i. McWhannell is also injured and while he has more NPC experience than Ah Kuoi and Vaa'i is only 1 year older than them.
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Cane excepted, why is it all the other Chiefs ABs have yet to find any meaningful form - in fact look like they're in the doldrums - yet the Saders and Blues ABs look as if they haven't missed a beat.
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@Bovidae Yes I feel for Ah Kuoi and Va'a who have been tossed into the arena and and left for dead having been told to fight beasts without the armour of experience, knowledge or protection. Both A Kuoi and Brown were pretty decent I thought, against the Saders best - but without BBBR's heart , ethos and management in that area, man we look fragile. Hopefully Ah Kuoi and Va'a will stay and take on this SRA seasons learnings, and kick on. But I guess nothing is a given these days.
Wainui who was outstanding and Cane were the Chiefs best I thought. -
@Jailbreak7 I think both young locks will be part of the long-term plans.
Just another point about Ardron, the Chiefs have won every game he has played this year.
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@cgrant said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Ah Kuoi was the best lock on the paddock. His workrate is impressive and he is quite dynamic in the loose. Not a bad LO jumper either.
Disagree, Sam Whitelock and Mitch Brown both made twice the number of tackles as him and hit more rucks. Not a vintage performance from Sam Whitelock, but he was still the best lock on the paddock in that game.
