Chiefs captian(s)! named

[Larksea]

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/12630679/pair-to-share-chiefs-captaincy/1/desc/

seems like a good idea, I hope this means Messam will get rested at some point during the season. Don't think it's right for players, in particular all blacks to play 80min every game like Messam has done most seasons for the chiefs. I think it affects him more than others because he never seems to get injured or let injuries impact his gametime. I think for all the top 30-40 players to be at their best for the super finals and international season they should get at least a couple of games off during the regular season.

 

[ranger]

Clarke is a good choice too

 

[William18]

Never a fan of co-captains.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well ok, but for me it would have made more sense to make Hika and Messam co -captains.

 

[ranger]

Clarke is a great leader and actually gets stuck in the tight grafting work which is what the Chiefs need. Especially if they are to emulate Manawatus forward pack success. Choosing the best captians is not just about choosing the best players eg: Rueben Thorne

 

[Darwin]

I really like the pick of Clarke as captain - I would have been happy if he had been the sole captain, as I'm not a big fan of co-captains. Clarke is guaranteed his spot in the starting XV, and showed some great leadership skills for Taranaki last season.

 

[Larksea]

seems a big deal has been made of the two captians thing. I don't think it's such a big deal

Many teams operate with more than one leader but keep one official captian. Even with the AB's Richie wears hat but Dan Carter calls a lot of the shots.

Maybe it was too tough to call between the two? I personally think Messam has done a better job as standin captian than Mills did a lot of the time. And Clarke seems well put together and has done a good job at Taranaki and put in a lot of yards at the chiefs.

Also an admission that being such a long season they wont have any one person for all the games. Outide that you would also expext Cruden and Kahui to play a major role in the side. Cruden running the offense and Kahui the defense - both would maybe have as much say in the game and training as Messam & Clarke.

Really like the chiefs squad, have to wonder who is going to play 15 and are they going to be good enough and who is going to backup Cruden? Really comes down to what are the main roles going to be for Robinson & Nanai-Williams?

 

[Darwin]

seems a big deal has been made of the two captians thing. I don't think it's such a big deal

Many teams operate with more than one leader but keep one official captian. Even with the AB's Richie wears hat but Dan Carter calls a lot of the shots.

Maybe it was too tough to call between the two? I personally think Messam has done a better job as standin captian than Mills did a lot of the time. And Clarke seems well put together and has done a good job at Taranaki and put in a lot of yards at the chiefs.

Also an admission that being such a long season they wont have any one person for all the games. Outide that you would also expext Cruden and Kahui to play a major role in the side. Cruden running the offense and Kahui the defense - both would maybe have as much say in the game and training as Messam & Clarke.

Really like the chiefs squad, have to wonder who is going to play 15 and are they going to be good enough and who is going to backup Cruden? Really comes down to what are the main roles going to be for Robinson & Nanai-Williams?

Though I'm not a huge fan of Andrew Horrell, I think he would be a better bet than either Robinson or Nanai-Williams to backup Cruden. He's certainly not as talented as either Robinson or Nanai-Williams, but he does have the ability to control the game, whereas Robinson and Nanai-Williams are more instinctive players. Having and instinctive player at 10 can be great if they have enough composure to cope when put under pressure, but if they crack when the pressure is put on (as Robinson does all the time) they can be a complete liability. Nanai-Williams does seem slightly more composed than Robinson, but is at his best with at fullback where he has space to move. Horrell is a strong defender, and is also a better goal-kicker than Nanai-Williams and especially Robinson (who is still a shockingly poor goal-kicker). In saying all that I actually expect the Chiefs to use one of Nanai-Williams or Robinson as Cruden primary backup, I'm just not sure it would be the right option.