Chiefs squad
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<p><span>Hiroshi Yamashita has been confirmed as Laulala's replacement. Also Karpik's replacement is C-M openside <span>Sam Henwood.</span></span></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/170-gallagher-chiefs-squad-bolstered-by-yamashita-and-henwood'><span><span>http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/170-gallagher-chiefs-squad-bolstered-by-yamashita-and-henwood</span></span></a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="560150" data-time="1456185927">
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<p>Yamashita better tackle better than he did against the Blues last week. He's a good scrummager, but he looked lost in the open field with one terrible miss.</p>
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<p>He used to have good defence but it is getting shita and shita.</p>
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<p>Rennie will have to work some magic to keep this Chiefs team near the top of the NZ conference.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mister G" data-cid="560385" data-time="1456254000">
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<p>Where is the prop from the U19 WC?</p>
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<p>Atu Moli? He's in the squad but wouldn't be considered a possible starter at this stage.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="560387" data-time="1456254168"><p>He used to have good defence but it is getting shita and shita.<br><br>
Rennie will have to work some magic to keep this Chiefs team near the top of the NZ conference.</p></blockquote>
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It's early days, but Cruden's fitness will be key, because outside him and Ngatai there isn't that much class in the squad. <br><br>
The injuries to players brought in, plus no SBW leaves the team looking pretty mid table. Taimanivalu hasn't shown anything at this level yet - if he fires, then we might be able to get better penetration through the midfield working around Cruden.<br><br>
Up front, Nepo's injury is a real bitch. I'm going to pick Yamashita as a liability around the field and hope I'm wrong. He looks like a mismatch in waiting.<br><br>
Anyway, I'll be stoked if we do well, but I've got low expectations this year. -
<p>Rennie has likened this squad to 2012, as there are so many new players who aren't well known. Looking at the backs from that team, no one knew anything about Tikorotuma and Horrell wasn't exactly a household name either.</p>
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<p>I agree with gt12 in that Cruden and Ngatai are the key players in the backline. If either of those players are out for an extended period of time we're fucked. I think Rennie will go with the same backline that started against the Blues first-up with Lowe in for McNicol/Fisiiahi. The likes of Tamanivalu needs to take his opportunity and McKenzie needs to fire as well.</p>
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<p>The Chiefs have got a very tough start to the comp - an away game in Chch, the Lions at home and then a trip to SA (vs Kings) and Argentina for the Jaguares' first home game. A lot of travel. Two wins would be a minimum from the first 4 games.</p>
