Chiefs vs Wales, June 14

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584172" data-time="1464644515">
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It'll be a good old fashioned team of dirty dirties from Wales though won't it ? none of their test stars will front for this game I'm sure.
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The Welsh have named a 35-man squad so 11 of their test 23 will need to play the Chiefs, i.e., some could be playing 3 games in 7 days.

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="584160" data-time="1464641069">
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Unco's team will be close to the mark although I think Vaipulu will start at 7. Kolomatangi has a long-term injury and hasn't been sighted all year. The likes of Moli should be back (not sure what's happening with Tokolahi either), and the outside back combo will depend on whether McNicol is also available. 
 
Also, TKB is targeting this game or the Waikato-Thames Valley RS game on June 6 for his return. So if it's the former, expect to see him in the 23.
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I'd start Horrell and 10, and move Donald to the bench

Crucial

Chase Tiatia was on the injured list in the last team naming.

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584172" data-time="1464644515">
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It'll be a good old fashioned team of dirty dirties from Wales though won't it ? none of their test stars will front for this game I'm sure.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="584192" data-time="1464650475">
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The Welsh have named a 35-man squad so 11 of their test 23 will need to play the Chiefs, i.e., some could be playing 3 games in 7 days.
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To take that a bit further, it would likely be that Wales' bench for the Chiefs game will be 8 of the 1st test team (and presumably 2nd test team) and they might play 20-30 minutes - or not at all - against the Chiefs. Only three guys will play 3 games in 7 days, and those 3 guys will probably not be in Wales' top XV (i.e. will be on the bench in the tests). I'm not sure what the positional distribution of the 35 players is, but it seems very unlikely that any guy would start 3 times in 7 days.
 
But the point remains that it's a crowded and particularly tough schedule.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="584207" data-time="1464652182">
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I'd start Horrell and 10, and move Donald to the bench
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Or could DMac get a run at 10 with Donald on the bench?

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="584207" data-time="1464652182">
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I'd start Horrell and 10, and move Donald to the bench
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Who are you playing at 12 then? Vaka in his first start? Hansen didn't release any Saders players when they played England a couple years ago, so I wouldn't bet on Ngatai or Tamanivalu being available.

Bovidae

I don't like Horrell as a 1st 5. Rennie used him last year in the playoffs with mixed success. Horrell is much better suited to 2nd 5 so Donald has to play 10 and kick the goals.

Dan54

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="584142" data-time="1464633195">
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I'm going to this game - really looking forward to it. (just hope we can field a decent line up and don't get thumped...)
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Yep Mokey I will be at game too, actually coming over from Aus with Welsh mate to follow the tour through country

Bovidae

There should be a good crowd despite being a midweek fixture and the early start. I remember the 1988 clash between Waikato (featuring Gatland and Foster) and Wales - a repeat of that result would be nice. :)

Bovidae

Today's news:
Foster also confirmed no All Blacks would be released for the Chiefs match against Wales in Hamilton on June 14.
 
So that means Weber and Beaver will get a start. 
 
I went over to Paeroa yesterday to watch the Waikato-Thames Valley Ranfurly Shield game, paying particular interest in Moli. He was a beast around the field so it would be safe to assume his shoulder injury is OK now and he will be involved in this game.

Immenso Rapido

What's the story on revenue for this match? Is it being shared? 
I'm a believer in the NZRU scheduling one per tour for the ABs like v Munster a few years ago, as a revenue generating midweek game. 
But I concede the current generation at NZRU HQ seem to be quite competent so maybe it doesn't stack up. 
But you'd think a share of a Leicester gate or a Stade Francais gate would be worthwhile for both parties financially, plus get game time in hostile environment for some young guys, plus bring back a bit of the old days magic.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="584324" data-time="1464678509">
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There should be a good crowd despite being a midweek fixture and the early start. I remember the 1988 clash between Waikato (featuring Gatland and Foster) and Wales - a repeat of that result would be nice. :)
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The Crusaders mid week game against England a couple of years ago was a great night out (despite the result obviously) glad they are doing it again

Bovidae

I like the idea of international teams playing midweek games too. Gatland was the big driver of this fixture due to his Waikato/Chiefs connection. To answer IR's question, I assume both teams will get a % of the gate takings. The Chiefs are obviously confident enough in getting a large crowd, allowing them to give up a home game vs the Crusaders - historically one of the biggest crowds of the season. One would also assume that the ticket prices are higher than normal too - it's part of my season ticket so I haven't looked at the price comparison.
 
As to the game, expectations won't be too high for the Chiefs but it will be a great experience for the players and a valuable game for the coaches during the international break.

Cpt Kumera

start kane haimes

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="584124" data-time="1464614554">
Mitchell Graham 
Nathan Harris / Hika Elliot (c) 
Hiroshi Yamashita 
Dominic Bird 
Taleni Seu 
Johan Bardoul 
Tevita Koloamatangi / Maama Vaipulu 
Tom Sanders 
Brad Weber 
Stephen Donald 
James Lowe 
Anton Lienert-Brown 
Seta Tamanivalu / Charlie Ngatai (c) 
Toni Pulu 
Damian McKenzie / Glen Fisiiahi 
Hika Elliot / ? 
Kane Hames 
Siegfried Fisiâ€™ihoi / Atu Moli 
Michael Allardice / James Tucker 
Sam Henwood / Lachlan Boshier 
Kayne Hammington / TKB 
Andrew Horrell 
Sam Vaka / Chase Tiatita / Glen Fisiiahi</blockquote>
Using Don's team as as starting point ... 
Firstly is Bardoul available? He could also pkay lock. Could swap with Seu? 
Am assuming TKB is with the ABs so not released. 
Midfield looks to be an issue. Can Vaka play there? 
Anyways options as follows:

Graham / Hames / Moli
Elliot / Marshall
Yamashita / Fisi'ihoi / Moli 
4.5. Bird / Allardice / Tucker / Seu / Bardoul 
6.7.8. Seu / Bardoul / Vaipulu / Sanders / Henwood / Boshier
Weber / Hammington
Donald 
12.13. Lienert-Brown / Horrell / Donald 
11.14. Lowe / Pulu / Vaka / Fisiiahi / Tiatita
Horrell / Pulu / Fisiiahi

booboo

They should be able to cobble together a decent 23 out of that.

Bovidae

Bardoul and Fisiiahi are done for the season, Chase Tiatia is also now injured.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season</a>

Nepia

How stupid were the Chiefs to give Fisiiashi a contract? The guy has never gotten through a season of professional sport. Someone at the Chiefs must have known him as a schoolboy rugby player to rate him high enough for a Super 15 spot.

Bovidae

The Gallagher Chiefs team to play Wales is:

Mitchell Graham (23)
Rhys Marshall (30)
Hiroshi Yamashita (7)
Dominic Bird (5)
Michael Allardice (17)
Mitchell Brown*
Lachlan Boshier (2)
Tom Sanders (9)
Brad Weber (36) 10. Stephen Donald (87) Captain
Sam Vaka (3)
Andrew Horrell (53)
Anton Lienert-Brown (18)
Toni Pulu (7)
James Lowe (31) 
RESERVES:
Hika Elliot (98)
Siegfried Fisiâ€™ihoi (5)
Atu Moli (5)
Taleni Seu (12)
Tevita Koloamatangi (7)
Kayne Hammington (6)
Sam McNicol (6)
Latu Vaeno (2)
 
Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Glen Fisiiahi, Chase Tiatia, Michael Leitch, Maama Vaipulu, James Tucker, Augustine Pulu (All Blacks Sevens) and Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand U20s). 
All Blacks: Charlie Ngatai, Brodie Rettalick, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Seta Tamanivalu, Nathan Harris, Aaron Cruden and Damian McKenzie
 
A few surprises here. Who is Mitchell Brown?

hydro11

I don't really see why we expect Welsh test players to back up and then we don't even release fringe All Blacks. I don't know. I can understand it but it is kind of disappointing .

The Silver Fern

Chiefs vs Wales, June 14