Chiefs v Crusaders

[Bovidae]

Some stats leading into this game.

Unbeaten Chiefs ready for Crusaders showdown

Setting the early pace on an unbroken run of eight consecutive wins ensures the Chiefs are the hunted in the quest for DHL Super Rugby Pacific playoffs advantage making their Saturday night test against the Crusaders their most challenging assignment to date.

[Bovidae]

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-team-named-for-rivalry-clash

Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Crusaders:

1 Aidan Ross – Bay of Plenty (67)
2 Samisoni Taukei'aho – Fahefa, ‘Ofu Vava’u (Tonga) (71)
3 George Dyer – Waikato (14)
4 Brodie Retallick – Hawkes Bay (122)
5 Tupou Vaa'i – Petani Eua (Tonga) (37)
6 Samipeni Finau - Fatumu (Tonga) (25)
7 Sam Cane – Bay of Plenty (143, Co-Captain)
8 Luke Jacobson – Waikato (55)
9 Brad Weber – Ngāti Porou (116, Co-Captain)
10 Damian McKenzie – Ngāti Tūwharetoa (103)
11 Etene Nanai-Seturo – Faleatai and Salelologa Savaii (Samoa) (36)
12 Rameka Poihipi – Te Arawa (22)
13 Daniel Rona – Te Āti Awa (5)
14 Emoni Narawa – Navulivatu, Serua (Fiji) (36)
15 Shaun Stevenson – Ngāpuhi, Solaua (Upolu) and Palauli (Savai’i) Samoa (75)

Reserves
16 Tyrone Thompson – Ngāi Tāmanuhiri/Ngāti Rangiwewehi (9)
17 Ollie Norris – Ngāpuhi (36)
18 John Ryan – Ireland (8)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi – Vaiusu Aleisa (Samoa) (40)
20 Pita Gus Sowakula – Nasolea/ Bucalevu, Cakaudrove (Fiji) (61)
21 Cortez Ratima – Ngāti Maniapoto (17)
22 Bryn Gatland – North Harbour (29)
23 Lalomilo Lalomilo – Falefa Sinamoga (debut)

Players' Iwi/Village/Region mentioned after their name.

[Chris]

Fainga'anuku, Jager Return for Chiefs Clash: Team Naming

The Crusaders have named their side to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton in Round 10 of Super Rugby Pacific ’23. In what is touted as one of the biggest match ups in the competition so far, and at a critical time of the season, our boys will take the field at FMG Stadium on Saturday 29 April, kick off...

[Stargazer]

[mariner4life]

what's with the stupid flags?

[mikedogz]

@mariner4life Culture round, showing their heritage/culture.

[Duluth]

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

[Bovidae]

I'm surprised to see Lalomilo Lalomilo in the reserves, as he has been injured for a while. Wrampling could have been used again. Otherwise a largely predictable team with some other players to return next week.

[mikedogz]

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

[Crucial]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

I'm surprised to see Lalomilo Lalomilo in the reserves, as he has been injured for a while. Wrampling could have been used again. Otherwise a largely predictable team with some other players to return next week.

I would have expected Wrampling as well unless ALB was ready.

Geez this is a strong battle. On form and reputation this is a final before the final. Saders will be desperate to equal the score. A loss for them and a win for the Brumbies could well decide the home advantage at the business end

[george33]

@Stargazer thought razor said Jordan next week? Or week after that

[Duluth]

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

[Crucial]

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

It's more likely that each player was asked to identify with a list of cultures. If he only ticked a Māori box that is what they used.His choice. No big deal and it's all subjective anyway.

[Crazy Horse]

That Crusaders backline shouldn't be giving the Chiefs too many nightmares, especially 9, 13,14 and 15.

[gt12]

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

Mo’unga isn’t a kiwi either apparently.

[Frank]

@Crucial said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

It's more likely that each player was asked to identify with a list of cultures. If he only ticked a Māori box that is what they used. His choice. No big deal and it's all subjective anyway.

If they identify as French, can they play for France? Sounds legit!

[Stargazer]

The GOM content is high in the comments here!

[Bones]

Oh come the fuck on! How has Ennor fooled all his coaches that he's a centre? He's a bloody good winger with obvious shortcomings at centre, so let's throw McLeod on the wing in the hopes he can emulate Jordie's success.

[cgrant]

No Josh Lord. Maybe Ah Kuoi's versatility won him a place on the bench ?

[antipodean]

@Stargazer That's a pretty underwhelming backline. Especially in the centres. The Crusaders forwards will have to be at their cheating competitive best to carry Drummond's service to Mo'unga, who will have to do almost everything himself.