2014 Super Rugby: Chiefs v Blues (Round 13)

[TRF Mr Fish]

I'll update to look nice later...

Chiefs: Tom Marshall, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Gareth Anscombe, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Nathan Harris, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh, Josh Hohneck, Matt Symons, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, George Moala, Ma’a Nonu, Lolagi Visinia, Simon Hickey, Bryn Hall, Jerome Kaino, Brendon O’Connor, Peter Saili, Tom Donnelly, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Hayden Triggs, Steven Luatua, Piri Weepu, Ihaia West, Pita Ahki.

 

[Darwin]

I'm looking forward to this match. I'm picking it will be a tight match - I'm finding it quite difficult to call. It is good to see the Chiefs have more or less stuck with the same side this week (barring a few injury enforced changes).

Plenty of good match-ups around the park. I'm particularly looking forward to Messam vs Kaino at 8 as they are the two main contenders for the AB's 6 jersey. Hickey vs Anscombe will be interesting too. They will be competing against each other for the Auckland 10 jersey in the few months time too. Both tend to stand a bit deep in attack for my liking, but Anscombe has the pace to break the line. Hickey is younger but more composed in my opinion, and they are both outstanding goal-kickers in their own rights (Anscombe has more range, but Hickey may be slightly more accurate).

Outside of the halves pairing the Blues have a massive backline - Nonu, Moala, Halai, and Visina are all over 100kgs, and Piutau would be close to that (and is probably the most dangerous of the lot). If they Blues backs can get quick ball they could be devastating....

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

That Nonu/Moala combo worries me. Aki and TNW is probably the weakest midfield combo we've put out all season, defensively.

 

[Gena_ZA]

If Kaino and co can produce quality ball the Blues back line can cause a huge upset here. The penetration from 12 to 15 is excellent.
Then again can the Blues perform away from home?

 

[Shaggy]

If Kaino and co can produce quality ball the Blues back line can cause a huge upset here. The penetration from 12 to 15 is excellent.
Then again can the Blues perform away from home?

Both sides are in pretty good form at the moment ... whether the Chiefs can contain Nonu and Moala in the midfield, is the key to the match for me

 

[Darwin]

Saili out (partner expecting a baby), Luatua in. Barrett onto the bench. Arguably improves the Blues side.....

 

[Shaggy]

Saili out (partner expecting a baby), Luatua in. Barrett onto the bench. Arguably improves the Blues side.....

Well Luatua needs a starting opportunity ... let's hope he takes it. Barrett should have some hometown support if he takes the field at least

 

[ABs2011]

If Kaino and co can produce quality ball the Blues back line can cause a huge upset here. The penetration from 12 to 15 is excellent.
Then again can the Blues perform away from home?

Yup certainly a good question. For this particular game though one has to question how the Chiefs will go as well though. Technically a home game, and presumably a lot of folk will come out supporting them, but I think they might struggle a bit away in the sense that they are pretty much away from home as well.

The advantage the Chiefs have IMO is in the halves. Just that extra experience and class. Not sure if that will be enough though as the Blues are looking sharp in the backs and strong in the forwards of late.

I think this will be a cracker game, Blues to upset for me!

 

[jessta]

Saili out (partner expecting a baby), Luatua in. Barrett onto the bench. Arguably improves the Blues side.....

I think peter saili a key member to this blues team. Prior to 2013 he was an absolute bozo, I dont know why they kept picking him. Hed drop the ball constantly, have poor work rate and just play silly rugby. But last year he came into the season a new player. Dunno if kirwan had anything to do with this. Hes certainly gonna earn his fair share abroad if he wants too

 

[ABs2011]

Just on the "home" crowd thing for the Chiefs, I hear that only 8000 tickets have been sold for tonight's game....

 

[Darwin]

I think peter saili a key member to this blues team. Prior to 2013 he was an absolute bozo, I dont know why they kept picking him. Hed drop the ball constantly, have poor work rate and just play silly rugby. But last year he came into the season a new player. Dunno if kirwan had anything to do with this. Hes certainly gonna earn his fair share abroad if he wants too

I agree Saili has been good this season. He appears to have simplified his game a lot over the last few seasons, which has really helped him. I actually prefer him at 6 rather than 8 too. Even though Luatua hasn't been in great form this year I think he still offers slightly more than Saili, and he has been the Blues best lineout option all season. I'm picking Luatua to have a big game this week, as I'm sure the AB's selectors will be watching the loose-forwards in this match very closely....

 

[steblin]

I agree Saili has been good this season. He appears to have simplified his game a lot over the last few seasons, which has really helped him. I actually prefer him at 6 rather than 8 too. Even though Luatua hasn't been in great form this year I think he still offers slightly more than Saili, and he has been the Blues best lineout option all season. I'm picking Luatua to have a big game this week, as I'm sure the AB's selectors will be watching the loose-forwards in this match very closely....

I've been vocal about saying Luatua should start ahead of Saili, however Saili has been very good so far this year. Here's hoping Luatua takes this as a rocket and grabs his chance and doesn't let go of that 6 jersey.

Going to be a tough game, battle of the loosies should be epic. Nonu and Moala are two BIG boys at centre, I want to see some partnership, ANY partnership build at centre so hopefully this can be it.

 

[Darwin]

Looks like an early try for Visinia. Fantastic work in the build-up Nonu.

 

[steblin]

Couple of good moments early on, good scrum, nice kicking, Luatua in the loose, nice play by both centres and fantastic finish by Visinia!

 

[Darwin]

And the Chiefs strike back via Tameifuna. Game on!

And another try for the Chiefs. I hope Piutau's injury isn't too serious...

 

[steblin]

Piutau looks in a real bad way... Hope it's not too serious for the kid, such a brave take as well

 

[Darwin]

Bryn Hall needs to stop passing the ball over Hickey/Nonu's head!

Plenty of action so far...

 

[ABs2011]

Bryn Hall needs to stop passing the ball over Hickey/Nonu's head!

Plenty of action so far...

Yup, and he can't afford to miss touch and gift open field possession to the Chiefs back 3!

 

[ABs2011]

Is he miss judging the wind or is he typically not a great kicker?? That last box kick was rubbish as well!

 

[steblin]

Is he miss judging the wind or is he typically not a great kicker?? That last box kick was rubbish as well!

His kicking last week was superb, so not sure