Chiefs v Highlanders

Bovidae

No real surprises to me based on who is fit and available for selection. I would like to see TTT get meaningful minutes.

Stargazer

@Bovidae I'd like Falcon to see some game time.

Hooroo

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@Bovidae I'd like Falcon to see some game time.

What's wrong with him? Is he injured?

Stargazer

@Hooroo Nope, playing club rugby for Clive.

Hooroo

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@Hooroo Nope, playing club rugby for Clive.

So just a bit too poke to make the squad.

Bovidae

@Hooroo Just rated no.3 behind Cruden and Trask.

Stevenson is unlucky not to be in the mix.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yes, 3rd, but IMO every player should get some minutes if fit. They could have put him on the bench for this game. Bailyn Sullivan also hasn't had any game time, yet, has he?

Yeetyaah

Nankivell starting with Tupaea off the bench, I'm the Oracle.

Hooroo

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@Bovidae Yes, 3rd, but IMO every player should get some minutes if fit. They could have put him on the bench for this game. Bailyn Sullivan also hasn't had any game time, yet, has he?

You don't need to rotate players for a short comp like this though.

I hate seeing rubbish players "get a run" just because there is nothing to play for.

Stargazer

@Hooroo The fact that a player is ranked 3rd or lower doesn't mean they're rubbish though.

Bovidae

@Stargazer Yeah, Sullivan hasn't played at all. Falcon only played against the Sunwolves, as did Leger. I think Maka was on the bench for an earlier SR game. Naholo hasn't been sighted either.

frazzerbazzer

@Stargazer is falcon heading of to Japan any info about that

Stargazer

@Bovidae This is really a bad year, for the younger/greener/lower ranked players. It must be difficult to get motivated, knowing that you're only allowed to train with the team, won't get game time and then get to play club rugby only. In normal years, they'd have had more Development team and U20s games.

Stargazer

@frazzerbazzer Haven't heard anything, but as there is a NZR freeze on signing players (although they seem to make exceptions), and several of these players (that don't get game time) are coming off-contract this year, it wouldn't surprise me at all, if some of them are looking for contracts overseas. That could be Japan, but also MLR or other competitions. Obviously, also these other competitions (particularly MLR) face a lot of uncertainties, but the stream of money in Japan doesn't seem to have dried up, yet.

Bovidae

Falcon is signed until next year isn't he?

When Cruden goes to Japan the situation will change, and I expect Rivez Reihana will move into the full squad as the junior 1st 5.

Bovidae

It looks like I was wrong.

And with Gatland revealing that Tiaan Falcon is also headed for Japan following this season, their future is Trask – the 21-year-old Bay of Plenty pivot, who has dipped his toes in at this level this year.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122164219/super-rugby-aotearoa-aaron-cruden-benched-as-winless-chiefs-look-to-the-future

Tim

It was a pity that the B squad and colts competitions were cancelled.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Not something I like to read, but it doesn't surprise me. I hope he'll still play for the Magpies.

Bovidae

@Stargazer If you didn't read the article:

Gatland indicated there would be a couple of other young players they look to blood over the next few weeks too, including uncapped winger Kini Naholo, who has just returned from injury and has been performing well in Taranaki club rugby.

Stargazer

@Bovidae I still have a few tabs open on my screen Trying to finish something else, first.

The Silver Fern

Chiefs v Highlanders