Chiefs vs Highlanders
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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>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>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="577235" data-time="1462451156"><p>Should be a good game. Interesting to see Fekitoa at 12 or am i reading that wrong?</p></blockquote>
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No you've read that right. I like him at 12 and that's where he looked good for the ABs IMO. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="577198" data-time="1462441727">
<div>Picking ALB over Horrell seems like a no brainer to me.</div>
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<p>I would have picked them both on the bench. I don't know much about Vaka but he's listed as a midfielder on the Chiefs website. Horrell gives you cover at fullback, which seems to be lacking in this 23. I wouldn't want to move Ngatai there so I assume one of Pulu or Lowe is the backup.</p> -
<p>Vaka has played mostly in the midfield for CM but also on the wing. He has always been part of the squad so maybe this is just a case of giving him his opportunity. He could have been carrying an injury as well as he hasn't been a call up to the Sevens side during their injury runs either.</p>
<p>I don't think any of Vaeno, Stevenson, McNichol or Fisiiahi grabbed their chances strongly although all have also been injured at some point or other.</p>
<p>What is the story with Chase Tiatia? Is he on the injured list as well?</p>
