Chiefs vs Highlanders
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="577110" data-time="1462422723">
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<p>A fit Laulala would solve all those problems.</p>
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<p>Reports say a big crowd is expected. I'm looking forward to seeing my first game of live rugby in 5 weeks!</p>
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<p>Hell, a fit Moli would solve the Yamashita problem but we don't really have that luck at the moment.</p>
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<p>I do have to wonder why Yamashita is starting ahead of Tokolahi though. Maybe still not 100%? Or hey, I also wonder if it could be a deliberate tactic, bringing on the stronger scrummager (and ball runner and tackler) late in the game in case they're defending a narrow lead.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="577116" data-time="1462423386">
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<p>Are there some injuries in the backs I haven't heard about or is Rennie unimpressed with the young outsides he has been trying? I see Sam Vaka is on the bench.</p>
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<p>I assume he's happy with Stevenson as he's given him a couple of starts in decent games..</p> -
<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChquVMJVAAM_sKm.jpg" alt="ChquVMJVAAM_sKm.jpg"></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news'>http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news</a></p> -
<p>Should be epic. I don't feel comfortable laying down coin on this with the TAB. Genuinely unsure about who will win. I guess it is 60/40 in favour of the Chiefs if you pushed me off the fence - but that doesn't seem enough certainty to place a bet.</p>
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<p>Is Horrell injured or not selected?</p> -
<p>This will be a great spectacle, as is all NZ derby matches. Sopoaga vs Cruden, Smith vs McKenzie, Fekitoa vs Ngatai, Webber vs Smith, Lowe vs Nahalo. Bring it on.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="577171" data-time="1462439451">
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<p>Should be epic. I don't feel comfortable laying down coin on this with the TAB. Genuinely unsure about who will win. I guess it is 60/40 in favour of the Chiefs if you pushed me off the fence - but that doesn't seem enough certainty to place a bet.</p>
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<p><strong>Is Horrell injured or not selected</strong>?</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Chiefs' website: "<span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);">Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tom Sanders, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Atu Moli, Glen Fisiiahi, Sam McNicol and Latu Vaeno.</span>"</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">That seems to imply that Horrell is not injured, has been considered and, apparently, not selected.</span></span></p> -
<p>Are these because of injury. If so Sam McNicol spends his life injured.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="577185" data-time="1462440319">
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Chiefs' website: "<span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);">Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tom Sanders, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Atu Moli, Glen Fisiiahi, Sam McNicol and Latu Vaeno.</span>"</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">That seems to imply that Horrell is not injured, has been considered and, apparently, not selected.</span></span></p>
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<p>ITSTL</p>
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<p>I wonder why that is. Horrell has 50 super rugby caps and is genuinely a super rugby standard player (although not anything beyond that).</p>
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<p>I guess they want to take a look at this Vaka fellow and are using a rotation policy...</p> -
<p>maybe they dont thnk he is as much of an impact player as Lienart-Brown or Vaka?</p>
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<p>Rennie has rotated his outside/midfield reserves all season. From Mcnicol to Fisiahii to Leinert Brown to Pulu to Horell to Vaka. in terms of combinations leading into the playoffs it would make sense to persist with one player for a wee while surely.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="577189" data-time="1462440664">
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<p>ITSTL</p>
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<p>I wonder why that is. Horrell has 50 super rugby caps and is genuinely a super rugby standard player (although not anything beyond that).</p>
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<p>I guess they want to take a look at this Vaka fellow and are using a rotation policy...</p>
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<p>Horrell played really well in his first game back from injury (v Canes) when he suddenly had to replace Ngatai. He can cover several positions and is great player. I don't understand why he has not been picked for an important game like this, if he is indeed not injured. Picking an unexperienced player like Vaka is a big risk IMO.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="577192" data-time="1462440956">
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<p>Rennie has rotated his outside/midfield reserves all season. From Mcnicol to Fisiahii to Leinert Brown to Pulu to Horell to Vaka. in terms of combinations leading into the playoffs it would make sense to persist with one player for a wee while surely.</p>
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<p>Yes, but rotating Horrell doesn't make sense. He's just back from injury and has played only 120 minutes this season.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="577193" data-time="1462441112">
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<p>Horrell played really well in his first game back from injury (v Canes) when he suddenly had to replace Ngatai. He can cover several positions and is great player. I don't understand why he has not been picked for an important game like this, if he is indeed not injured. Picking an unexperienced player like Vaka is a big risk IMO.</p>
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<p>Yes Agree with your Stargazer.</p>
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<p>I also thought his performance coming on at half time vs the sharks was a factor in the win.</p>
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<p>Seems to send him a strange message and to his team mates. Maybe there is some off field reason?</p>
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<p>Either that or this Vaka is looking electric at training...</p> -
<p>I guess he may be injured again then..</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="577192" data-time="1462440956">
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<p>Rennie has rotated his outside/midfield reserves all season. From Mcnicol to Fisiahii to Leinert Brown to Pulu to Horell to Vaka. in terms of combinations leading into the playoffs it would make sense to persist with one player for a wee while surely.</p>
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<p>That's because he had to, all of those guys have been injured at different points this season.</p>
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<p>Picking ALB over Horrell seems like a no brainer to me. Horrell's a good jack of all trades and a steady hand but ALB offers more off the bench and has had a very good season so far. Hell, he was pushing for the starting centre spot before he got injured yet again.</p> -
<p>Fair enough then. Hopefully the Chiefs can find some luck in regards to injuries then.</p>
