Chiefs 2023
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The Chiefs are understood to have also been keen on moving Ah Kuoi to blindside flanker – a position he occupied throughout this year’s NPC with Bay of Plenty – so Selby-Rickit’s acquisition is certainly with the bigger picture in mind.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
I can't see how McWhannell stays now, unless McMillan wants a thousand locks in his squad. I'll be fucked off if that happens as he has so much more upside than MSR.
Yep I can understand McWhannel moving,(c'mon down to Canes), but kind of agree this is more about after WC when Lurch goes? Nothing like a couple of 2m+ locks in the squad.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 Agree, there is some succession planning here. My question is how can they fit all of them into the squad unless the Chiefs sacrifice a loose forward or back. I guess we'll find out soon.
Could be a back. Last squad the back three was so unclear that they may take a gamble on thinking they are clearer this time.
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@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
I can't see how McWhannell stays now, unless McMillan wants a thousand locks in his squad. I'll be fucked off if that happens as he has so much more upside than MSR.
Yep I can understand McWhannel moving,(c'mon down to Canes), but kind of agree this is more about after WC when Lurch goes? Nothing like a couple of 2m+ locks in the squad.
Has McWhannel signed for the Chiefs yet? The Hurricanes have room for a lock with the departure of Scott Scrafton and he looks like a decent pick-up.
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@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:
Or maybe Selby reckit comes in for Mitch brown given they want to play ah kuoi at blindside
But that doesn't solve the problem of not having anyone else to play 7 apart from Cane. Moving Jacobson is not the answer (he should be the starting no.8), and Boshier is not a specialist openside either.
At the moment the Chiefs have:
6 ) Ah Kuoi, Jacobson, Finau, Sowakula, Boshier, Parker
7 ) Cane, Jacobson, Boshier
8 ) Jacobson, Sowakula, Boshier, ParkerI am assuming that Parker is back. McMillan said he was fit and ready to go.
Given the Chiefs had so many 1st 5s this season they may select one less back. Ioane seems to be a redundant selection if they re-sign him.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Has McWhannel signed for the Chiefs yet?
He is one of a number of players who never had their original contract duration officially announced.
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His contract was due to end next season.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/aidan-ross-re-signs-until-2025
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
I can't see how McWhannell stays now, unless McMillan wants a thousand locks in his squad. I'll be fucked off if that happens as he has so much more upside than MSR.
Yep I can understand McWhannel moving,(c'mon down to Canes), but kind of agree this is more about after WC when Lurch goes? Nothing like a couple of 2m+ locks in the squad.
Has McWhannel signed for the Chiefs yet? The Hurricanes have room for a lock with the departure of Scott Scrafton and he looks like a decent pick-up.
Maybe the Canes are keeping Tyler Laubscher and using Delaney as a lock.
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@mikey07 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
I can't see how McWhannell stays now, unless McMillan wants a thousand locks in his squad. I'll be fucked off if that happens as he has so much more upside than MSR.
Yep I can understand McWhannel moving,(c'mon down to Canes), but kind of agree this is more about after WC when Lurch goes? Nothing like a couple of 2m+ locks in the squad.
Has McWhannel signed for the Chiefs yet? The Hurricanes have room for a lock with the departure of Scott Scrafton and he looks like a decent pick-up.
Maybe the Canes are keeping Tyler Laubscher and using Delaney as a lock.
I think Delany will be the starting 6 but can cover lock aswell. I think because they signed Lakai they either have to release Laubscher, or keep him and like you say, utilise Delany as lock cover if needed. Prinsep is probably the guy that would have been released if they didn't sign him for 2023.
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@Canes4life You know how this lot thinks we can’t be having tall locks in our team so hopefully commonsense prevails and we sign a tall lock but not holding my breath.
Its a shame we can’t release Prinseep so we can keep tyler laubscher. -
Based on who is definitely contracted, and the media releases in recent weeks, the only surprises could be at prop and the outside backs.
Of the six props in this years squad, only three of them would be certainties to return (Ross, Norris and Ta'avao). The other three (Moli, Mafileo, O'Neill) either have had major surgery or form issues, or both.
My guess for potential replacements are LH (Bartlett, Cobb), and TH (Dyer, Thwaites). Most of the CM props are with MP, and Profitt is nearer 30.
The extra lock probably comes at the expense of another loose forward. Ah Kuoi moves to 6, and Lord won't be available at the start of SR so only four fit locks.
Four 1st 5s won't be needed. DMac replaces Trask, but does Ioane return? It would be better to have another midfielder/outside back in the squad.
There were five midfield backs for 2022, including Wrampling, who can also play on the wing. Inga Finau to replace the injured Tupaea.
Hopefully an extra outside back based on McMillan's comments about squad balance. Lowe and Tiatia need to be replaced. Naholo and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens have been rumoured to be options. If there is a big surprise it could be someone else moving teams.
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