[2015 Super Rugby] Chiefs vs. Blues (Round 8) 04/04/2015

[TRF_stormer2010]

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

19:35 Local (NZ, GMT+13)​

 

[Shaggy]

Here's the Blues team (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/super-rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=331&objectid=11426621)

Blues team to play the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm, is: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Pita Ahki, George Moala, Tevita Li, Dan Bowden, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jerome Kaino (c), Brendon O'Connor, Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina/Angus Ta'avao, Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Francis Saili.

... and the Chiefs (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/67600871/Mike-Fitzgerald-makes-way-for-Brodie-Retallick-in-Chiefs-side-to-face-Blues?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Tom Marshall, Andrew Horrell, Sonny Bill Williams, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Augustine Pulu, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (c), Brodie Retallick, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Allardice, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Bryce Heem.

 

[Shaggy]

Hey Blues supporters ... why isn't Lolagi Visinia in the match day 23?

I get that Moala is back, and Piutua is starting at Fullback, but surely he's a good option as either a starting winger, or as utility cover of the bench.

He's been absent a couple of weeks now, so just wondering what's up

 

[MotherRucker1]

Will be an interesting game for me as I want to see more of Augustine Pulu. In a World Cup year we have to keep an eye on halfbacks outside of the standard Smith-Perenara. Pulu's decision making isn't always perfect, but then again neither is Ellis' and he's been around a lot longer. Also excited to see Brodie back. Hopefully he can provide the Chiefs with some discipline and patience, because at times I just think they lack that.

I get the feeling this will be a bit of a messy game, the handling possibly not the best, both teams looking to score a lot of tries and perhaps not always coming off that well. The Blues have a host of tough matches in a row, and last week was probably their best opportunity to pull a win out of their backside. The 'Tahs were ordinary. Chiefs at home should be able to collect the win.

Wonder what bizarre thing Kirwan will say this week.

 

[nzlizard]

Big game for the Chiefs this week, you get the feeling the Blues are due and the Chiefs have looked patchy the last few weeks.

Still think the Chiefs have the game but it is theirs to lose by not showing the Blues the respect they deserve.

Pretty solid Chiefs lineup though and with Retallick back adding grunt it will be a great game to watch.

 

[Shaggy]

LOL ... Impartial = Sean Fitzpatrick in prematch - asked for his opinion on the Chiefs, continues to talk about the Blues

 

[Irishkid]

Tamifuena's haircut

 

[Amobokoboko]

Just opens the tele and sees Lowe scoring his 6th try of the season. Awesome moment of the morning.

 

[steblin]

Kaino is just a giant for The Blues at the minute

 

[Irishkid]

Symons off hope not to serious.

 

[austingtir]

Jeez the chiefs are such opportunists I thought that turnover they got down the other end with the blues hot on attack was dubious and sure enough they score off it.

- - - Updated - - -

Even if they loose this I think the blues have been pretty good... mostly.... still lots of nasty errors though.

 

[hjklhjkl]

 

[austingtir]

I think the blues are going to knock over alot of sides over rest of the competition..... I saw the commentators mention the highlanders were 0-8 in 2013.... who would of thought that this year.

Pretty sure the landers knocked over some decent sides at the end of that 2013 season so im expecting the same from the blues.


The NZ conference is very harsh on a team thats not quite right.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Blues are showing some remarkable consistency this season!!

 

[Ossau]

I think the blues are going to knock over alot of sides over rest of the competition..... I saw the commentators mention the highlanders were 0-8 in 2013.... who would of thought that this year.

Pretty sure the landers knocked over some decent sides at the end of that 2013 season so im expecting the same from the blues.


The NZ conference is very harsh on a team thats not quite right.

You're absolutely right! The Highlanders played some very decent games in 2013 but won only 2 home ones...
The Blues have been good today but made too many errors unfortunately!

 

[jessta]

Blues looked a lot more together. Need similar starting team next week.. Gibson park has to start over cowan. Blues need a snappy halfback to unleash those backs. Big fan of the center combination of moala and ahki. Ahki impressed me. Luatua was beastly in that first half, outplayed messam in front of the ab selectors.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Agreed. Cowan hasn't created much for them this season for them imo.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good comeback by the Chiefs, happy with the victory, but feel really sad for the Blues.