Chiefs v Hurricanes
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Odds are against Canes getting 3rd spot going by the draw. If they really want to have a crack at it they need to focus on the Saders and Blues games, not the Chiefs. A win against the Chiefs might give them points but a win against the others is a double-whammy on their contenders.
No one wants to throw games but as we have seen with most teams this year, under AB and Wallaby resting protocols you have to choose resting wisely and sometimes it is better to pick a game that you will get minimal points as opposed to a good 5 point match up.
Blues nearly came unstuck against MP and lost a point on the table -
@Crucial agreed, the Blues and Crusaders games are the ones to focus on as you've mentioned above.
Another tactic could be to rest our top team all together this week so then it's only 5 intense games (if we make it all the way to the final).
My assumption right now is that the Blues game next weekend could very well decide who comes 4th/5th, especially if they manage to slip up against the Reds in Brisbane aswell.
Definitely an interesting couple weeks ahead but at the end of the day this week is the week to rest those three ABs that require a break.
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@Canes4life 4th or 5th matters little except for a home game. If home game advantage really is a thing (or the management want the gate takings) then by all means go for it.
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@Chris the positive thing about playing three intense games before the playoffs is that it battle-hardens a team. I've seen the Canes slip up on so many occasions because they've played easier games leading into the playoffs, so maybe this is what they need to prepare for the big matches later on.
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@Crucial said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:
@Canes4life 4th or 5th matters little except for a home game. If home game advantage really is a thing (or the management want the gate takings) then by all means go for it.
It's not that one game at home makes that much difference, but repeating travel week after week when you are tired is disastrous.
There's not many away wins in the final. (Yes, partly because the better teams are usually at home, but the disparity is quite a lot larger than that.)
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@Chester-Draws good point. Although only domestic travel left and the last RR game being at home any potential semi or final is likely to be away.
The one everyone wants to avoid is travel to Canberra which would happen if Brumbies end up second.
I suspect that may not be the case though.
Still, travelling back and forth every week must be harder than staying at home. -
Remember that Chiefs have their short Oz tour to come after this match (Canberra and Perth) then back for a home quarter.
Not sure how that will affect things but at the moment Force, Drua, Rebels and Highlanders are fighting for that 8 slot or Reds/Tahs 7th. Either way a quarter may be against a team that has had to travel a way.
You want momentum and the Force are capable at home.
Are there limitations on travelling squads? Or can you swap some players out?
I'd be tempted to go all out in this one, see what happens in other games, then decide whether to do any resting against the Brumbies.
Finau got pretty bashed about last game and Jacobsen has had a big workload. DMac hasn't had a rest but Gatland is out and Ioane underdone.
Basically I haven't a clue but I don't think we can do 6 weeks of the top XV/23 with travel and expect to be firing at a final. -
I was thinking about what the Chiefs may do myself. Obviously they need to beat the Canes first and then look to win in Canberra. Then I'd be sending a lot of the best players home to avoid traveling to Perth. I would assume that the rest would stay in Aust to avoid unnecessary travel and the extras would join them.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Chris the positive thing about playing three intense games before the playoffs is that it battle-hardens a team. I've seen the Canes slip up on so many occasions because they've played easier games leading into the playoffs, so maybe this is what they need to prepare for the big matches later on.
The Hurricanes haven't beaten the Chiefs or Crusaders since 2020, I think they are overdue a win against one of the 'big' sides, but only one (it'll probably be the Blues) as they lack consistently to back it up, the next few weeks are going to define Jason Holland's tenure.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Chris the positive thing about playing three intense games before the playoffs is that it battle-hardens a team. I've seen the Canes slip up on so many occasions because they've played easier games leading into the playoffs, so maybe this is what they need to prepare for the big matches later on.
The Hurricanes haven't beaten the Chiefs or Crusaders since 2020, I think they are overdue a win against one of the 'big' sides, but only one (it'll probably be the Blues) as they lack consistently to back it up, the next few weeks are going to define Jason Holland's tenure.
Well they won't beat the Saders. There's an unwritten rule that Razor's assistants aren't allowed to show him up.
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The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s. -
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
What I meant was yes, they should have no excuses this year, but the injuries to 10s will be what the hat is hung on.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s.Certainly doesn't help, but not saying Cameron and Loves injuries are excuse or reasons though. But on 10's I reckon that young Godfey who has only reall played 15a couple of times has some real potential. I was blown away when he came on in preseason against Crusaders(posted as such on here) at 10, he looked like he the kind of player I like at 10 seemed to have time with ball in hand and didn't look rushed.
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I agree re: the sentiment on Morgan. His ceiling is probably not that much higher than where he is now. But he definitely gives 100% and I think wears the jersey with pride.
I'm not sold on Love as a 10, yet. He is amazing at 15. As we know some 15s convert well to 10s (Larkham...) so hopefully down the track he'll get there.
Godfrey has been lightning, and could be the best option in the short term (but he's gone to the 20's right?)
A shame we lost Cameron. Lots of talent to pick from but he was the steady 10 this team needs to supplement the young 10s.
