Chiefs squad

Crucial

Also Jacob Skeen. He could be an option.

bobily

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="553265" data-time="1453163815">
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Jarrod Firth a possibility to step back into the squad.
 
What happened to that big unit lock from Waikato? He wasn't in the ITM cup. was he injured?
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Brian Alainu'uese? They have brought him in to help out with injuries before, so that is a good call. I think he tends to be injured as soon as ITM Cup rugby comes around. Perhaps his huge frame (135kg) works against him, at times.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="553269" data-time="1453164186">
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Brian Alainu'uese? They have brought him in to help out with injuries before, so that is a good call. I think he tends to be injured as soon as ITM Cup rugby comes around. Perhaps his huge frame (135kg) works against him, at times.
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That's the one.

Bovidae

Alainu'uese had a shoulder injury so couldn't play for Waikato but might be available for the WTG. Luke Katene had the same problem. Skeen needs to put on some bulk. 
 
Allardice should partner BBBR. Tucker probably makes the bench now, but Seu can also play lock. A few of the other loose forwards could be used at lock so there are options.
 
For prop, Koloamatangi is another option at prop but still inexperienced. Firth would be a good bet. A lot of pressure on Tokolahi now.
 
Who else do C-M, BOP and Taranaki have available at lock and prop?

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bobily

Personally, I would expect James Tucker to start ahead of Allardice. Allardice is only really a journeyman lock, whereas Tucker had a pretty impressive ITM Cup. They might choose to ease him in a bit, though.

Crucial

Sam Aiono from CM was sharing TH with Firth last year.
 
Firth was brought in last year as backup, so he possibly has the front running.

Frye

Atu Moli is young but then so was Ben T when he was handed the reins back in 2012 when Afeaki was injured.

Wurzel

There must be some other props and locks Rennie can jet in from Christchurch... aside Siate Tokolahi and Brodie Retallick.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="553290" data-time="1453171539">
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There must be some other props and locks Rennie can jet in from Christchurch (via Auckland/Tonga)... aside Siate Tokolahi 
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Fixed.

Bovidae

Perhaps Rennie should just look in the lower NI (e.g. Fielding and New Plymouth) for locks to avoid the layover in Chch?

Wurzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="553291" data-time="1453171769">
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Fixed.
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Laulala came via Samoa/Counties, Bird the Hawke's Bay and Retallick from Amberly. They all come from somewhere before being turned into the real deal. Rennie is loyal to his wholesaler, I'll give him that.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="553294" data-time="1453172726">
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Laulala came via Samoa/Counties, Bird the Hawke's Bay and Retallick from Amberly. They all come from somewhere before being turned into the real deal. Rennie is loyal to his wholesaler, I'll give him that.
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You're missing the part where Retallick signed with Hawke's Bay straight out of high school, made the U20s from there and that's when Rennie got a look at him.
 
But hey, don't let facts get in the way of a whine. Fuck it feels great reading Cantabs whining about other teams poaching their players.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="553294" data-time="1453172726">
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Laulala came via Samoa/Counties, Bird the Hawke's Bay and Retallick from Amberly. They all come from somewhere before being turned into the real deal. Rennie is loyal to his wholesaler, I'll give him that.
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<div>
 
So of the three (four if you include Tokolahi) the one who moved away earliest and didn't play Canterbury ITM/Crusaders by far and away the best....interesting...
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SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="553294" data-time="1453172726">
<div>
Laulala came via Samoa/Counties, Bird the Hawke's Bay and Retallick from Amberly. They all come from somewhere before being turned into the real deal. Rennie is loyal to his wholesaler, I'll give him that.
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Careful Wurzel. 
 
Rule number one on this board is: don't criticise Super Coach Rennie

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="553295" data-time="1453175037">
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But hey, don't let facts get in the way of a whine. Fuck it feels great reading Cantabs whining about other teams poaching their players.
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I'd consider your dig about Retallick if you handed back Read. Fair swap?

Wurzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="553297" data-time="1453175626">
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Careful Wurzel. 
 
Rule number one on this board is: don't criticise Super Coach Rennie :)
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Yeah, I forgot the Fern can't have a bit of fun when the topic somehow concerns anything Red & Black.

Billy Tell

Pretty disappointed about that. Thought Laulala was a good chance to challenge for the Ab starting TH spot. Strikes me that Faumuina will always be the impact player off the bench, but was hoping Laulala might challenge Franks. All 3 ligaments is pretty unlucky.

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="553295" data-time="1453175037">
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 Fuck it feels great reading Cantabs whining about other teams poaching their players.
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Not so great when a Crusaders supporter "likes" a post about two of their former players suffering long-term injuries. Classy stuff, that.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="553375" data-time="1453240333">
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Not so great when a Crusaders supporter "likes" a post about two of their former players suffering long-term injuries. Classy stuff, that. 
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jeez, it was done tongue in cheek.. I would never wish injury upon anyone.
 
but obviously I'm not "classy" enough for the forum police
 
Some of you guys take yourselves way to seriously, It was one click of a mouse.

SammyC

As I mentioned in a post above I've followed Nepo's career with great interest since he arrived in Canterbury.
 
I've probably watched around 80% of his club games and seen his early progress in the gym first hand through my time at the Franks brothers gym. 
 
I think he's a huge talent, and the word down here is that he's the strongest tighthead in the country, so was gutted to lose him.
 
I think he'll be the starting number 3 for the ABs within 2 years.

The Silver Fern

Chiefs squad