[2017 Super Rugby] Round 11: Chiefs vs. Reds (06/05/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Yarrow Stadium
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Larksea]

So the Chiefs have a bunch of players returning from injury layoffs...

TKB
Harris
TNW
Allardice
And Charlie Ngatai

Harris and Ngatai are a massive boost. Two all blacks that can really make a difference going into the finals..

selection is going to be interesting. I think they need to get some of these guys inviolved this weekend. use this game agains the reds to start regaining some momentum. They then have a Bye before what will be the clash of the season so far against the Crusaders...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Charlie and Harris are back:

1. Kane Hames (17)
2. Hika Elliot (113)
3. Nepo Laulala (6)
4. Dominic Bird (20)
5. Brodie Retallick (79)
6. Mitchell Brown (9)
7. Sam Cane (co-captain) (88)
8. Michael Leitch (29)
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (75)
10. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) (82)
11. James Lowe (45)
12. Charlie Ngatai (39)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (33)
14. Toni Pulu (19)
15. Damian McKenzie (42)

RESERVES:
16. Nathan Harris (23)
17. Atu Moli (19)
18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (19)
19. Taleni Seu (26)
20. Liam Messam (154)
21. Jonathan Taumateine (3)
22. Sam McNicol (15)
23. Shaun Stevenson (16)

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Charlie and Harris are back:

1. Kane Hames (17)
2. Hika Elliot (113)
3. Nepo Laulala (6)
4. Dominic Bird (20)
5. Brodie Retallick (79)
6. Mitchell Brown (9)
7. Sam Cane (co-captain) (88)
8. Michael Leitch (29)
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (75)
10. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) (82)
11. James Lowe (45)
12. Charlie Ngatai (39)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (33)
14. Toni Pulu (19)
15. Damian McKenzie (42)

RESERVES:
16. Nathan Harris (23)
17. Atu Moli (19)
18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (19)
19. Taleni Seu (26)
20. Liam Messam (154)
21. Jonathan Taumateine (3)
22. Sam McNicol (15)
23. Shaun Stevenson (16)

Now that backline looks very strong, and when you add Messam and Harris to the forward pack, this will be a very complete Chiefs outfit. They should be able to put out some very good performances in the coming weeks and make a strong push going into the playoffs. This weekend will tell us, but I think they may well be passed their mid-season wobbles.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Chiefs team look very strong. Will be tuning in for this one. Welcome back Charlie.

 

[Larksea]

yep looking much closer to a #1 side from the chiefs which we really haven't seen for a while. The return of two regular front liners and all Blacks should be a huge boost. Harris & Ngatai were both in amazing form before their long term injury layoffs. Going to be an interesting game.

Strangely the chiefs have only really looked their best against other NZ sides this year, they really need to find up their form going into what is going to be a huge game against the Crusaders in a couple of weeks.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...led-out-of-match-against-reds-in-new-plymouth

Cruden ruled out of the match with illness, supposedly Donald will come in at 10.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...led-out-of-match-against-reds-in-new-plymouth

Cruden ruled out of the match with illness, supposedly Donald will come in at 10.

hmmmm.... that sucks.... especially for those who picked him in their fantasy teams lol.
In all seriousness though I hope it's nothing too serious... I'm sure it isn't.

 

[mania]

Ngatai really needs to hit the ground running if he's to make the lions squad.
Shame kHunt isn't playing. I really wanted to see how well he performs vs nz sides

 

[Penne Rara]

As much as I'd love to see Ngatai thrive in Super Rugby, I'm also super worried his concussion symptoms might only worsen...

 

[Ground We Won]

Hmm, interesting game this. Usually I'd say it's a for-gone conclusion, but the Chiefs current form has been really bad and with a few injuries and players out it could make it a very interesting contest. I still think the Chiefs will edge it, but it might be a grind. The Reds might not have anything left in the tank after losing to the Tahs though, so a blow out isn't out of the question.. have I covered everything?

 

[galumay]

Looking forward to a Chief's smashing of the Reds! Chiefs are probably a little off their best but that should be plenty good enough to see off the Reds.

but the Chiefs current form has been really bad

I wish the Tah's current form was as bad as the Chiefs!!! 8 wins, 1 loss and 5 bonus points, thats about as bad as it gets!

 

[Bluemoon]

The reds are killing me with the out of hand kicking. Chiefs are well organised and covering the tactical kicking with some ease.

 

[Ground We Won]

Looking forward to a Chief's smashing of the Reds! Chiefs are probably a little off their best but that should be plenty good enough to see off the Reds.



I wish the Tah's current form was as bad as the Chiefs!!! 8 wins, 1 loss and 5 bonus points, thats about as bad as it gets!

They've struggled vs the Rebels, lost to they Stormers, scraped in vs the Force and were run close by the Sunwolves in Waikato. The Reds are currently now giving them a good game and look the better team. Similar to last season they're losing momentum.

What's peoples thoughts on Sam Cane? With Ardie and Squire coming through, he's definitely under threat with the AB's.

 

[Bluemoon]

Oof that looked a bad for Higginbotham. Could have just been a stinger? The reds wont want him to go off as he's one of the standout performers so far.

Chiefs finding their rhythm... could be a long match from here.

 

[Ground We Won]

I'm happy to see Charlie Ngatai with a positive return and a try.

 

[mania]

Welcome back Charlie. ABs berth looming

 

[Tchatcheur147]

Another disgusting refereeing from Jamie Nutbrown ... This guy is just killing every match he is involved in. Looking for every opportunity to whistle and stop the momentum of the game.

 

[Bluemoon]

Leinster have got themselves some signing in Lowe.

Can't see a Reds comeback here. Very clinical by the Chiefs. Some lovely lines run for that last try, although the Reds can't miss some first up tackles like that.

 

[galumay]

Similar to last season they're losing momentum.

Ok, you must watch a different team to me, also I track form by results, looks like they will easily go 9 and 1 here and probably a BP as well. I am probably biased too as the Chiefs are my 2nd team in Super Rugby.

The reds are killing me with the out of hand kicking.

Its the ozzie disease...or maybe the seekrit strategy....playing against the best counter attacking sides in world rugby, continuously kick the ball & possession back to them...they will fade from the exhaustion of scoring tries and in about the eleventy hundreth minute....the triumphant ozzie team will come roaring home with a win!