Chiefs 2021
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It was just a poke in the eye for Tupou Vaa’i, but it still has the Chiefs sweating on the availability of their All Blacks lock for their trip to face the Reds next weekend.
Vaa’i was the major injury worry out of Saturday night’s 40-19 victory over the Brumbies in Hamilton, replaced in the 34th minute after an eventful start which saw the 21-year-old flat on the deck in the opening minute, then scoring the game’s opening try three minutes later.
But while coach Clayton McMillan was able to reveal no extensive damage to his star second rower post-match, he stopped short of locking him in for next Saturday night’s fixture in Townsville.Vaa’i has all of a sudden become a crucial man for a Chiefs side operating without Brodie Retallick until he rejoins next season following his stint in Japan.
Uncapped Laghlan McWhannell (knee) has been sidelined for a third straight season, fellow youngster Naitoa Ah Kuoi (neck) and the more experienced Mitchell Brown (knee) have missed the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans- Ta$man, while uncontracted Samipeni Finau, who has logged six games this year, has been out of contention for the last three games due to a shoulder problem.
That has seen Bay of Plenty and Tonga loose forward Zane Kapeli cover lock off the bench the last fortnight, so any more absences in the second row will start to really cause some issues, with a lineout that is already not without its shakes.
McMillan said winger Jonah Lowe “should be fine” after a tight hamstring forced him off in the 53rd minute, while prop Angus Ta’avao (groin strain) and midfielder/winger Sean Wainui (shoulder) are others on the short-term casualty ward, as the Chiefs work out just who they will have for another dash across the ditch, fresh off their trek to Perth in round one. -
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Three weeks, for that, seems heavy to me though.
It is the standard now and I agree that it needs to be there to try and change mindsets.
However, when one player gets 3 weeks yet another doesn't even get cited for a swinging high shot that connects flush on the chin it does look harsh.
I get why the ref missed it but the post game review should have easily cited that one. -
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Trask will now get more time in the no.10 jersey I assume. Who played at fullback in the 2nd half? Tiatia or Stevenson? I didn't see the game.
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@bovidae said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Trask will now get more time in the no.10 jersey I assume. Who played at fullback in the 2nd half? Tiatia or Stevenson? I didn't see the game.
You lucky bastard.
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@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Three weeks, for that, seems heavy to me though.
It is the standard now and I agree that it needs to be there to try and change mindsets.
However, when one player gets 3 weeks yet another doesn't even get cited for a swinging high shot that connects flush on the chin it does look harsh.
I get why the ref missed it but the post game review should have easily cited that one.Which swinging high shot are we talking about?
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@frye said in Chiefs 2021:
@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Three weeks, for that, seems heavy to me though.
It is the standard now and I agree that it needs to be there to try and change mindsets.
However, when one player gets 3 weeks yet another doesn't even get cited for a swinging high shot that connects flush on the chin it does look harsh.
I get why the ref missed it but the post game review should have easily cited that one.Which swinging high shot are we talking about?
To'omua on Collins the next day.
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@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@frye said in Chiefs 2021:
@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Three weeks, for that, seems heavy to me though.
It is the standard now and I agree that it needs to be there to try and change mindsets.
However, when one player gets 3 weeks yet another doesn't even get cited for a swinging high shot that connects flush on the chin it does look harsh.
I get why the ref missed it but the post game review should have easily cited that one.Which swinging high shot are we talking about?
To'omua on Collins the next day.
I take it he hasn't been cited?
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@kiwiwomble said in Chiefs 2021:
@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@frye said in Chiefs 2021:
@crucial said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
The Chiefs were already fucked, so him having a little rest might be good for the ABs.
Three weeks, for that, seems heavy to me though.
It is the standard now and I agree that it needs to be there to try and change mindsets.
However, when one player gets 3 weeks yet another doesn't even get cited for a swinging high shot that connects flush on the chin it does look harsh.
I get why the ref missed it but the post game review should have easily cited that one.Which swinging high shot are we talking about?
To'omua on Collins the next day.
I take it he hasn't been cited?
Not that I've heard. It may have been looked at but dismissed as a YC only which doesn't seem in line with the DMac call.
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