Chiefs 2023
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@mariner4life I'm not sure if you frequent other rugby forums but the general consensus is that at maximum strength & a few guys like ALB, DMac back fit they are as fair title contenders as anyone.
they fielded some very strong makeshift C teams due to Covid ripping through their squad in 2022 and it really showcased how impressive their depth (particularly in the forwards) is developing under McMillan.
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The Chiefs made life very uncomfortable for the Crusaders in the semis. They didn't take their chances, but they made plenty and a few different bounces and they might have won.
Yet they are unredeemable?
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
If Chiefs are injury free their current squad depth rivals anyone, at full strength I'd something like:
Ross, Taukei’aho, Mafileo/Ta'avao, Rettalick, Lord, Va'ai, Cane, PGS, Ratima, Dmac, Nankivell, Tupaea, ALB, Wrampling, Narawa.
Moli/Dyer, Thompson, Norris/Mafileo, McWhannell/Ah Kuoi, Finau/Jacobson, Roe/Weber, Reihana/Ioane, Poihipi/Seturo.
In need of some Red Bull to give them wings
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@Chester-Draws said in Chiefs 2023:
The Chiefs made life very uncomfortable for the Crusaders in the semis. They didn't take their chances, but they made plenty and a few different bounces and they might have won.
Yet they are unredeemable?
Chiefs forward pack had better of Crusaders for much of the game, their backs couldn't finish opportunities.
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@mariner4life said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
If Chiefs are injury free their current squad depth rivals anyone, at full strength I'd something like:
Ross, Taukei’aho, Mafileo/Ta'avao, Rettalick, Lord, Va'ai, Cane, PGS, Ratima, Dmac, Nankivell, Tupaea, ALB, Wrampling, Narawa.
Moli/Dyer, Thompson, Norris/Mafileo, McWhannell/Ah Kuoi, Finau/Jacobson, Roe/Weber, Reihana/Ioane, Poihipi/Seturo.
lol it fucking does not don't be ridiculous
Lol yes. Ridiculous they might stay remotely injury free given the curse in past few seasons. Still need a strike winger too. Would Marcos Moneta like a year in super rugby?
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it's a squad of a pretty good forward pack, some definite ability in the midfield, but bereft of game breakers especially out wide.
The Blues have explosive players everywhere.
The Crusaders have an equally good pack, as well as Mo'unga, Jordan and Reece.I would put them a very definite 3rd in NZ alone. That top team might beat the Brumbies, but i doubt they are favourites.
So about where they finished this year.
I didn't say "irredeemable" you did. I said they are definitely not as a good as the top 2 NZ sides. And that's a fair comment.
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As many of us Chiefs fans have said, it's the backs (excluding the midfield) that is the problem. McMillan and his coaches never settled on their first choice wingers and fullback, and what we've got currently lacks some x-factor and game breakers.
Having the right player at 1st 5 is pretty bloody important too!
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Ratima starting over Weber to bring added physicality, Mackenzie at 10, ALB & Narawa (Chiefs most dangerous outside in 2022) back fit + the signing of 1 more outside (AJ Lam, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Rayasi, etc.) strike weapon to compliment Narawa, Nanai-Seturo/Wrampling. Either way, they still remain my outside pick to win the championship next season, McMillan is an astute coach with more mana and experience compared to McDonald who's overrated due the influence of his assistant coaches and his terrible strategy/tactics when it really matters - watch Ta$man Mako's Semi-final defeats 2018 & 2017, 2016, Crusader thrashings 2022, 2021, 2020 pre-Covid, his gameplanning crumbles every time when there's higher stakes against quality opposition. I don't think they will win a grand final under Leon, he doesn't posses the composure or astute planning to outsmart better coaches, they're destined to be bridesmaids forever, the Chiefs have a greater likelihood of winning the title under McMillan's leadership in my opinion.
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@mariner4life said in Chiefs 2023:
it's a squad of a pretty good forward pack, some definite ability in the midfield, but bereft of game breakers especially out wide.
The Blues have explosive players everywhere.
I did watch the final, you know. There wasn't a lot of explosion coming from the Blues. And it wasn't as if their semi-final was any better.
When it came down to the pointy end, the Chiefs did better than the Blues.
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@Chester-Draws said in Chiefs 2023:
And it wasn't as if their semi-final was any better.
The likes of Sotutu and Lam were huge reasons why the Blues won the semi final.
The Chiefs were sort of the inverse of the Blues - Chiefs tight 5 was awesome vs Crusaders (and rewarded with all starting 5 members named in the All Blacks) and the Chiefs backs shat the bed whereas the Blues tight 5 cost them any chance in the final.
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@Chester-Draws said in Chiefs 2023:
@mariner4life said in Chiefs 2023:
it's a squad of a pretty good forward pack, some definite ability in the midfield, but bereft of game breakers especially out wide.
The Blues have explosive players everywhere.
I did watch the final, you know. There wasn't a lot of explosion coming from the Blues. And it wasn't as if their semi-final was any better.
When it came down to the pointy end, the Chiefs did better than the Blues.
By making the final?
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The term “exploded” should be replaced by “imploded” when talking about the Blues.
Back to the Chiefs though and without wide strike power they were always getting into good places then trying to work out what to do.
The best work out wide was when QT played there.
I think DMac will be at 15 as they won’t discard Gatland and/or Ioane. Hopefully they will at least have him swapping in at first receiver.
Hopefully we can trade the likes of Trask in and spend the money on some impact out on the edges when required. -
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Let's see where DMac plays for Waikato too. I am expecting that will be at fullback, but he might get some time at 1st 5.
Didn't DMac talk about wanting to concentrate on 10 when he comes back? I think that would be his best bet NZ wise.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Let's see where DMac plays for Waikato too. I am expecting that will be at fullback, but he might get some time at 1st 5.
Didn't DMac talk about wanting to concentrate on 10 when he comes back? I think that would be his best bet NZ wise.
D'Angelo Leuila will likely be the 1st 5, but the options at fullback aren't as obvious. It's more trying to fit both into the XV.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Let's see where DMac plays for Waikato too. I am expecting that will be at fullback, but he might get some time at 1st 5.
Didn't DMac talk about wanting to concentrate on 10 when he comes back? I think that would be his best bet NZ wise.
D'Angelo Leuila will likely be the 1st 5, but the options at fullback aren't as obvious. It's more trying to fit both into the XV.
I’m a big fan of his but if the Chiefs want to challenge for the Super title we should have Dmac at 10.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Let's see where DMac plays for Waikato too. I am expecting that will be at fullback, but he might get some time at 1st 5.
Didn't DMac talk about wanting to concentrate on 10 when he comes back? I think that would be his best bet NZ wise.
D'Angelo Leuila will likely be the 1st 5, but the options at fullback aren't as obvious. It's more trying to fit both into the XV.
I’m a big fan of his but if the Chiefs want to challenge for the Super title we should have Dmac at 10.
Agree. it's a timing thing. If they want to have a serious crack at the title they need to dod so while this strong pack is at peak then add a class 10.
Leuila can be understudy as he simply doesn't have the experience yet.
My broken record is that you don't win without a decent 10. I know DMac has been playing mostly 15 in Japan but I thought he was finally coming of age at 10 before leaving. He brings a different style than BB and RM and makes the most of providing opportunities for his midfield.
