Chiefs vs Wales, June 14
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It's only Wales.... [emoji1]<br><br>
Well done Chiefs. Without their ABs and a mixture of 1st string and wider training group players doing the business. <br><br>
Wales were passive and the lack of communication on defence was shocking. <br><br>
Excellent read of the game by the Chiefs inside backs. -
<p>Jesus - getting thumped by the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>It doesn't get much worse than that.</p>
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<p>Commiserations to Harry Secombe and the rest of Wales.</p>
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<p>On the plus side, Wales can reflect that there were lots of players from the Crusaders region and the team had all the hallmarks of Kieran Keane's coaching! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="587897" data-time="1465893070"><p>I kept waiting for them to step up a gear, but it never happened.</p></blockquote>
Too many of those players don't have another gear. Some of those Welsh players wouldn't get a super contract in the southern hemisphere.<br>
We've no depth at all, and several talented young players at home aren't selected cause they don't fit "Gatland's plan" which doesn't help. -
<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwZp9BeIYAEgimW.jpg" alt="BwZp9BeIYAEgimW.jpg"></p>
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Thing is though that Gatland could keep his forwards approach, add some work on upskilling their handling/linking then give his backs some free licence. Add a little flair and chance taking to the likes of North and Roberts. <br>
They just seem 'over-coached' like Hammet's Hurricanes -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="587903" data-time="1465893379">
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<p>Too many of those players don't have another gear. <strike>Some</strike> Most of those Welsh players wouldn't get a super contract in the southern hemisphere.<br>
We've no depth at all, and several talented young players at home aren't selected cause they don't fit "Gatland's plan" which doesn't help.</p>
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<p> Fixed</p> -
Any reason why we can't award Taleni Seu... an AB JERSEY ??...and those AB halfbacks better watchout for Weber - he was on fire tonight..<br><br>...brilliantly led by Beaver tonight , Pulu and James Lowe awesome on attack, great team effort all round - impressive stuff...comprehensive win and with very little possession to boot...next victim please..
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<p>Just got back from the game. Well that was a fun night out! :mocking:</p>
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<p>It was very noticeable live how slow the majority of the Welsh backs were, both in being able to manipulate the Chiefs' defensive line and then recognising the space out wide when there were opportunities. Morgan was the most dangerous back but the rest were very ordinary. Roberts looked ponderous.</p>
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<p>We all expected the Chiefs to run out of gas in the last 20 mins but that never happened. It was hard to single out one Chiefs player over another but I was really impressed with Lowe at FB and the loose forwards. A standing ovation when Beaver left the field too.</p>
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<p>Time to watch the replay now...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="587890" data-time="1465892814">
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<p>Biggest defeat of Wales in a provincial game now.</p>
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<p>In NZ anyway. NSW did them by about 70 odd in the early 90s from memory.</p> -
<p>This slightly annoying thing called work has interfered with my rugby viewing so no chance to watch the game but this has to be a huge setback for Wales.</p>
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<p>Brendan Gallagher ... thought this was good:</p>
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<p><span style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:26px;background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">Gatland criticised 4 arranging Waikato game.Bollox Midweek thumping in NZ great reality check and rites of passage for most British players!</span></p> -
<p>Not long home from the game.</p>
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<p>Wow. Wales were so fucking bad it was a bit hard to watch at times. All they did was crab left and right, lose ground, then crab left and right a whole lot more. With the exception of the Welsh 14 who zipped everywhere, and the 16 who scored from the one decent move they made all game, the rest were crap. The scrum was a shambles, the backs looked slow and ponderous, and the Chiefs had their number on defence all night.</p>
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<p>As for the Chiefs, it was obvious from the haka that they were VERY fired up. And it showed. Superb defence, especially on the line, great running rugby and some fucking awesome tries. They just kept splitting the Welsh backline. And that last snatched pick up by MacNicol to score, just iced the cake really. Beaver was everywhere and led from the front, charging around like someone 15 years younger. Weber was zippy, Lowe showed some great stepping, but really, the Chiefs were excellent across the park.</p>
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<p>I sweat to god that ref was blowing the whistle out of sympathy for the Welsh, cos there were some retarded calls made. But at the end of the day, they were creamed. Most of those dudes spat on the Welsh jersey tonight. Terrible, terrible performance.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="587938" data-time="1465899035">
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<p>Brendan Gallagher ... thought this was good:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:26px;background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">Gatland criticised 4 arranging Waikato game.Bollox Midweek thumping in NZ great reality check and rites of passage for most British players!</span></p>
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<p>Bollocks to rite of passage.</p>
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<p>Even Hansen queried as to why Wales would choose to play a midweek game in a 3-test series.</p>
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<p>Demoralising for squad. No doubt a great feather in cap for the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>Garland had a response for his players though: <span style="color:rgb(73,73,73);font-family:'PT Sans', sans-serif;font-size:16px;"> “A number of players have been asking me personally about what they needed to do, wanting an opportunity and why they have not been selected for the Test team.</span></p>
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:'PT Sans', sans-serif;color:rgb(73,73,73);">After this performance there’s some fairly simple answers that can be said. The players have got to be honest, go away, look in the mirrior and learn from what happened tonight.â€</p>