Chiefs Squad announced for 2013

[Amobokoboko]

Looking good:

Chiefs 2013 Investec Super Rugby Squad
Ben Afeaki Prop North Harbour
Bundee Aki Midfield back Counties Manukau
Gareth Anscombe* First five-eighth Auckland
Sam Cane Loose forward Bay of Plenty
Craig Clarke Lock Taranaki
Nick Crosswell * Loose forward Manawatu
Aaron Cruden First five-eight h Manawatu
Hikawera Elliot Hooker Hawke's Bay
Ross Filipo* Loose forward Wellington
Mike Fitzgerald Lock Manawatu
Romana Graham Lock Waikato
Josh Hohneck Prop Bay of Plenty
Andrew Horrell Utility back Hawke's Bay
Richard Kahui Midfield back Waikato
Tawera Kerr-Barlow Halfback Waikato
Tanerau Latimer Loose forward Bay of Plenty
Fritz Lee No 8 Counties Manukau
Brendon Leonard Halfback Waikato
Rhys Marshall* Hooker Taranaki
Lelia Masaga Winger Bay of Plenty
Liam Messam Loose forward Waikato
Tim Nanai-Williams Outside back Counties Manukau
Charlie Ngatai* Midfield back Wellington
Patrick Osborne* Winger Canterbury
Augustine Pulu Halfback Counties Manukau
Brodie Retallick Lock Bay of Plenty
Robbie Robinson Fullback Southland
Mahonri Schwalger Hooker Counties Manukau
Toby Smith Prop Waikato
Solomona Sakalia* Prop Wellington
Ben Tameifuna Prop Hawke's Bay
Asaeli Tikoirotuma Winger Manawatu

 

[Larksea]

some interesting tweaks, one that really sticks out is

Declan O'Donnell out
Patrick Osborne in

would be interesting to know the story behind that one... Declan looked to me like he had done more than enough, solid all round and had genuine x-factor about his game. Looked really good for Waikato recently.

And one that actually ****** me off

Alex Bradley out
Ross Filipo in

Bradley I think showed that he is more than capable at super rugby level and he was simply outstanding in the recent ITM cup, this change reeks of Dave Renee helping out the bro's. much like Pat Lam did last year with Brad Mika.

Apart from that it's a well balanced squad, I think they have genuine strength in every area/position on the park - guys who are more than just good super rugby players

in a nutshell as a long time chiefs supporter I think they can get the double but I think it will be a LOT harder this year without SBW.

SBW was up top the whole comp in running meters as the only midfielder, was by far the top off loader and was a brilliant defender. There simply is not another player on the planet who could reproduce what he did this year. I find it really hard to see the chiefs topping the table, getting home playoffs and winning the final again without SBW.

Without SBW obviously Charlie needs to have a massive season, Kahui needs to stay fit and the wingers need to do more work in midfield carrying the ball, and maybe Cruden will need to defend more and better. No one person can fill the job SBW did, need 4-5+ guys to lift their game even further.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Good squad, no major surprises - good to see a couple of young guys in Marshall and Sakalia, though I don't know how much game time they'll be getting unless there are injuries.

I think Osbourne is a great signing - as you've said larksea, the wingers will need to be carrying some of SBW's workload, and I think having a bigger winger will be more useful than having O'Donnell, when you consider that TNW, Robinson and Masaga are all pretty small guys.

Great inside halves combinations available, great outside backs, the midfield will be interesting - will Rennie go for Ngatai/Aki, or have Horrell as the first choice 12?

The loose forwards are solid as usual, the locks are relatively unchanged, and the front row is fantastic. I'm just hoping we get full seasons (or thereabouts) out of Smith and Afeaki.

 

[187]

I agree bro, SBW was absolutely MAH-SSIVE for the Chiefs & I think for the ABs as well. You could really see how much of an impact he made when he left & we were left with just Nonu.

Was a bit gutted when we (Hurricanes) lost Ngatai but he never got any meaningful game time so I'm quite excited to see him (if he starts) get a real chance at Super Rugby level in between two class players (Cruden & Kahui). Time for him to live up to his potential, never saw him play in the age grade teams but the commentators always had high praise for him in regards to his age grade years using phrases like "he could break the line at will" & "an absolute ***an in defense".... I doubt he will be able to replicate that but if he can get close, there's no reason why we won't see the chiefs in the finals again.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Tekadus7]

Strong Chiefs side here, probably not as strong as last season, and there are some new faces in the squad. It will be interesting to see how they perform. There's a lot of quality in the halves with the likes of Kerr-Barlow (now an All Black), Pulu and Leonard, and have two very good first-five eighths. Looking forward to next season, hoping the Mooloos can go back-to-back.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Same here, altho attractive rugby is the key indicator for me.

 

[Darwin]

Some good late signings for the Chiefs - I feel they may struggle to back up last years performance, but this squad should get them into the playoffs at the very least.

Props: largely as expected, with the only new face being Sakalia. I can't say I know a huge amount about him, but the Wellington scrum looked good no matter who they used a prop during the ITM Cup (and they used a fair few props!) so hopefully he will be good!

Hookers: Rhys Marshall is a very interesting signing. I thought he was ok with the under 20's this season, but was largely behind Nathan Harris in the pecking order there. He has obviously been picked for developmental purposes as there are a number of better options available at the moment (Rutledge, Foreman, Cummings-Toone etc..). My only concern with Marshall is his lack of size (as I imagine he would still be under 100kg) - because of this I would have perhaps opted for Nathan Harris if the wanted to develop a young hooker....

Locks: I disagree with Larksea completely here - I think Ross Filipo is an excellent signing. He had a great ITM Cup season for Wellington, and I was really surprised the Canes didn't keep hold of him (he is from Wellington after all...). I felt the Chiefs were short of quality lock backup last season with Fitzgerald struggling to really make the step-up - I expect to see Filipo get plenty of game-time this season off the bench. Not sure why the Chiefs persists with Romana Graham, as he is really just a red card waiting to happen (and isn't even a good player!). With 4 locks and Crosswell more than capable of covering lock I would have let him go and picked up another loose-forward.

Loosies: The Chiefs are resonably well served here, though I feel they could have done with another quality 6/8 option (Adan Cathacart anyone?). I'm not all surprised Alex Bradley wasn't re-signed - he is great at ITM Cup level, but showed he is out of his depth at Super Rugby level. He is very much an old-school number 8, but his biggest issue is that he is slow. Incredibly slow. This isn't a major issue on attack due to his power, but he is liability in defense as his lateral defense isn't up to scratch (especially for a loose-forward!)

Halves/Midfield: As predicted

Outside backs: The only new face is Osbourne. I'm not convinced about his inclusion - he was good for Canterbury in 2011, but has been injured most of this season. He certainly has some pace and power, but I wonder whether the should have looked at the likes of Ben Lam or Tino Nemani if they wanted a big powerful wing (as they have actually be playing rugby, and good rugby at that!).

 

[bobbilycious]

I'm very surprised that no team wants Nemani. I don't know how he was at the end of the ITM Cup, but he started off brilliantly. He was physical and worked hard in a pretty average team. It is ironic. Last time around, he got a call up after doing nothing. This time after impressing, he doesn't get a look-in.

 

[Darwin]

I'm very surprised that no team wants Nemani. I don't know how he was at the end of the ITM Cup, but he started off brilliantly. He was physical and worked hard in a pretty average team. It is ironic. Last time around, he got a call up after doing nothing. This time after impressing, he doesn't get a look-in.

I agree, I too am surprised no-one picked up Nemani. I still think he is a bit raw, but he is fast and incredibly powerful. His discipline is a bit of an issue - he certainly hits hard, he just needs to make sure his tackles are legal! I certainly would have been happy to have him at the Highlanders as a bit of a 'project player'.....

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Only times I ever saw him play this year he was quite poor, I thought?

 

[Larksea]

Locks: I disagree with Larksea completely here - I think Ross Filipo is an excellent signing. He had a great ITM Cup season for Wellington, and I was really surprised the Canes didn't keep hold of him (he is from Wellington after all...). I felt the Chiefs were short of quality lock backup last season with Fitzgerald struggling to really make the step-up - I expect to see Filipo get plenty of game-time this season off the bench. Not sure why the Chiefs persists with Romana Graham, as he is really just a red card waiting to happen (and isn't even a good player!). With 4 locks and Crosswell more than capable of covering lock I would have let him go and picked up another loose-forward.

Filipo has been signed more as a loose forward, mostly as a #8 than a Lock, he may end up being 4th/5th lock or 1st/2nd #8. I think a real slap in the face to Alex Bradly who more than up to super rugby this year and took his game to a new level in this past ITM cup where he was basically Waikato's best player and easily one of the best #8's in the competition.

Graham hasn't seen a lot of on field action at super rugby level recently, he can be a bit twichy so is Fitzgerald, maybe more so. But my understanding is that Graham does a lot of good work off field. He does all the tactics, analyzes opposition line outs and comes up with plans in that area for the chiefs. I think with that factored in he is seen as quite a valuable team member.

 

[Darwin]

Filipo has been signed more as a loose forward, mostly as a #8 than a Lock, he may end up being 4th/5th lock or 1st/2nd #8. I think a real slap in the face to Alex Bradly who more than up to super rugby this year and took his game to a new level in this past ITM cup where he was basically Waikato's best player and easily one of the best #8's in the competition.

I would be very surprised if that was the case. Filipo has played almost all his rugby at lock, and had a very good season there for Wellington during the ITM Cup. He is capable of playing 6 (though hasn't got a huge amount of expereince there), but I can't imagine he has been signed as a loose-forward. I can't remember him playing a single game at number 8, so it would be pretty strange if he was signed as an 8! Lee and Crosswell are clearly the top two options at number 8, with Messam also able to cover there, so they are pretty well served in this area. Based on the ITM Cup Filipo should be well ahead of Fitzgerald and Graham in terms of locking options, so I think more than warrants a spot on the bench.


As I've said before Bradley is a very good ITM Cup player, but (as was shown this season) isn't really up to Super Rugby level, as he is chronically slow. I'm sure he still has a few good years left for Waikato, but I would be surprised if we see him at Super Rugby level again.

Graham hasn't seen a lot of on field action at super rugby level recently, he can be a bit twichy so is Fitzgerald, maybe more so. But my understanding is that Graham does a lot of good work off field. He does all the tactics, analyzes opposition line outs and comes up with plans in that area for the chiefs. I think with that factored in he is seen as quite a valuable team member.

If that is the case he should be signed as a tactical adviser, because he is a liability as a rugby player....

 

[donmcdazzle]

I would be very surprised if that was the case. Filipo has played almost all his rugby at lock, and had a very good season there for Wellington during the ITM Cup. He is capable of playing 6 (though hasn't got a huge amount of expereince there), but I can't imagine he has been signed as a loose-forward. I can't remember him playing a single game at number 8, so it would be pretty strange if he was signed as an 8! Lee and Crosswell are clearly the top two options at number 8, with Messam also able to cover there, so they are pretty well served in this area. Based on the ITM Cup Filipo should be well ahead of Fitzgerald and Graham in terms of locking options, so I think more than warrants a spot on the bench.


As I've said before Bradley is a very good ITM Cup player, but (as was shown this season) isn't really up to Super Rugby level, as he is chronically slow. I'm sure he still has a few good years left for Waikato, but I would be surprised if we see him at Super Rugby level again.





If that is the case he should be signed as a tactical adviser, because he is a liability as a rugby player....

I may be wearing my Manawatu tinted spectacles on here, but I don't thin Filipo was better than Fitzgerald in the ITM. I think Fitzgerald was up there with the highest metres carried for locks, he makes a lot of tackles and hits a lot of rucks. Put Filipo in Manawatu or vice versa and opinions would probably change. Admittedly Fitzgerald was pretty poor fot the Chiefs last season.

 

[Darwin]

I may be wearing my Manawatu tinted spectacles on here, but I don't thin Filipo was better than Fitzgerald in the ITM. I think Fitzgerald was up there with the highest metres carried for locks, he makes a lot of tackles and hits a lot of rucks. Put Filipo in Manawatu or vice versa and opinions would probably change. Admittedly Fitzgerald was pretty poor fot the Chiefs last season.

Don't get me wrong, I think Fitzgerald had a good ITM Cup - probably on par with Filipo. I thought Fitzgerald had a very good ITM Cup last season too, but as you mention was pretty poor for the Chiefs. The reason I would have Filipo over Fitzgerald on the bench is that he is a proven performer at Super Rugby level, while Fitzgerald hasn't impressed (yet).

 

[psychic duck]

I was often impressed with Ross Filipo in the Super 14 with the Crusaders. I remember in 2007 when the All Blacks weren't available for the first half of the season and Filipo stood in for Chris Jack really well and played every game that season, he even became an All Black. However Brad Thorn's return the following year pushed him out.

However for whatever reason, Filipo didn't have so much success in Europe. He signed for what seems to be graveyard for ex All Blacks careers in Bayonne (all of Rokocoko, Tialata, Lauaki, Filipo and Flavell and have struggled there), and didn't really impose himself on the side there, and was constantly picking up minor injuries and coming in and out of the side like a yoyo. Whilst at Wasps he like Bayonne was in and out of the side and spent quite a bit of time on the bench but soon suffered a serious season ending injury about half way through.

 

[Larksea]

I would be very surprised if that was the case. Filipo has played almost all his rugby at lock

he is even announced on the chiefs website 2013 squad announcement as a loose forward, not a lock. And I'm pretty sure in an interview after the squad naming Renee said he would be used as a loose forward

 

[Larksea]

If that is the case he should be signed as a tactical adviser, because he is a liability as a rugby player....

it's not like he can't contribute on the field. and I don't think it's a new thing to do. How many super rugby squads hire a specialist lineout coach? Some get one in as a consultant every once in a while.

I mean look at Ali Williams with the All Blacks. I have not problem with his selection, truth is he knows more about line outs than most coaches do and a big part of his squad selection will be to help develop the three young locks in the squad.

 

[bobbilycious]

Rennie didn't mention where he would play him. He said that Filipo can fill in at either blindside or lock and has the potential to also play 8.

It will be interesting to see what the backline looks like. I really rate Horrell and I think he has the potential to make the All Blacks. I would stick him at second-five with Ngatai at fullback. This is a bit rough on both Robbie Robinson and Bundee Aki, though.

 

[Larksea]

yeah but if you also consider the makeup of the squad and who fills what positions 4,5,6,8

put filipo aside to start

Clarke and Retalick are obviously the main locks, then you got Graham and Fitzgerald who are basically specialist locks.

Blindside basically belongs to Messam then you got Latimer and Crosswell

#8 is basically up for grabs, Fritz Lee the only specialist in the squad but he failed to make an impact last year next in line would be Crosswell

without filipo in the picture the one position lacking cover is #8, even considering the fact Messam will likely finish games there. It's thin.

 

[bobbilycious]

I agree that the position is up for grabs, but I disagree that they are thin there. You have 3 guys who can play there to a good level before you get to Filipo. That seems like enough to me. I would say that he has been brought in, not only for his experience, but because he can play a number of positions. However, there are some good players in the loose forwards, so unless necessary, I would be expecting him to be on the bench covering at lock (considering that is where he usually plays).