Chiefs team announced to play western force on good friday

[Amobokoboko]

The usual team, goo Chiefs
1 Arizona Taumalolo, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3Ben Tameifuna, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 5Brodie Retallick, 6Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 8 Kane Thompson, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Aaron Cruden, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12Sonny Bill Williams, 13 Richard Kahui, 14 Lelia Masaga, 15 Robbie Robinson, 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu , 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Jackson Willison

 

[Larksea]

pretty settled lineup

the big shock for me is that Scott Waldrum will be staying at home for the Chiefs away leg, he did not get on the plane...

He and Fritz Lee have hardly had a look in this season. Same with Romana Graham. Get the feeling we wont see much of these three guys unless there is an injury and they could very well end up playing their rugby elsewhere next year.

The likes of Toby Smith and Brendon Leonard are on the plane though, looking forward to seeing those two make a comeback.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I'm glad Romana Graham hasn't got a look in - we don't need a thug like him costing us matches.

Waldrom is a different story altogether, he's only had 20 minutes of match play, and didn't make any errors or anything...

 

[admartian]

Now that's a backline.

 

[Aedaphon]

Now that's a backline.

^ this

Anyone else think Kerr-Barlow and Perenara have a shot at the 9 shirt for the summer internationals? Weepu has dropped form once again and these two have been looking classy all season (thus far)

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Perenara probably needs another season or two to prove his worth - he's been dependable without being fantastic, and he's getting a lot of hype now purely because of that hat trick he got. That's not to say he isn't a good player, rather I think he hasn't proven himself an All Black yet.

Kerr-Barlow is in a similar boat, probably part way between Perenara and Smith. He's a different style of player to the other two, and I think he'll seriously be pushing Weepu for a spot on the end of year tour. Smith is all but guaranteed a place in the June internationals/Tri Nations, at the expense of Cowan.

 

[Aedaphon]

Perenara probably needs another season or two to prove his worth - he's been dependable without being fantastic, and he's getting a lot of hype now purely because of that hat trick he got. That's not to say he isn't a good player, rather I think he hasn't proven himself an All Black yet.

Kerr-Barlow is in a similar boat, probably part way between Perenara and Smith. He's a different style of player to the other two, and I think he'll seriously be pushing Weepu for a spot on the end of year tour. Smith is all but guaranteed a place in the June internationals/Tri Nations, at the expense of Cowan.

Fair enough, I don't get to catch too much of games given that I live in London- 6 30 am kickoffs <_<

That hat-trick was class though...

 

[Larksea]

Perenara probably needs another season or two to prove his worth - he's been dependable without being fantastic, and he's getting a lot of hype now purely because of that hat trick he got. That's not to say he isn't a good player, rather I think he hasn't proven himself an All Black yet.

Kerr-Barlow is in a similar boat, probably part way between Perenara and Smith. He's a different style of player to the other two, and I think he'll seriously be pushing Weepu for a spot on the end of year tour. Smith is all but guaranteed a place in the June internationals/Tri Nations, at the expense of Cowan.

seeing weepu run out last night, he honestly looked fatter and less interested than he did the week before, it will be interesting but I can see both Cowan and weepu losing their place in the AB's and Mathewson missing out to. He's hardly looked worthy.

Aaron smith is a shoe in baring injury, I dont think we have seen an as sure selection since Kieran Read.

Elis will be selected and that trd spot is going to be very interesting.

 

[smartcooky]

I still think they will stay with Cowan/Ellis/Weepu for at least the first couple of Rugby Championship games. There are a lot of weeks to go yet.

However, if they are not up to form then we could see new halfbacks for the rest, as well as for the EOYT in test choice order

Ellis
Mathewson
Smith

If there is an injury

Perenara

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Fair enough, I don't get to catch too much of games given that I live in London- 6 30 am kickoffs <_<

That hat-trick was class though...

We get your games at 3AMish

 

[nickdnz]

seeing weepu run out last night, he honestly looked fatter and less interested than he did the week before, it will be interesting but I can see both Cowan and weepu losing their place in the AB's and Mathewson missing out to. He's hardly looked worthy.
Aaron smith is a shoe in baring injury, I dont think we have seen an as sure selection since Kieran Read.
Elis will be selected and that trd spot is going to be very interesting.

Alby Mathewson seems to be the only bright thing about the Blues dude. He's given good delivery and made plenty of good snipes. Sadly he's in much, much better form than Weepu.

I still think they will stay with Cowan/Ellis/Weepu for at least the first couple of Rugby Championship games. There are a lot of weeks to go yet.

However, if they are not up to form then we could see new halfbacks for the rest, as well as for the EOYT in test choice order

Ellis
Mathewson
Smith

If there is an injury

Perenara

Not a huge Ellis fan by any means, but I agree with that choice of halfbacks in Ellis, Mathewson and Smith. Ellis has been in pretty good form (although I tend to think he's a bit over rated). If they go with Cowan I'll be amazed (no player let himself down more in the RWC imo). He hasn't been an automatic pick for the Highlanders, and he's looking over seas so there is no point in investing more time into him. If he's picked I'll be sooooo mad.

I like Mathewson and Smith though. Mathewson is in my mind the most under rated halfback in the world, who's only fault seems to be a lack of an amazing kicking game. Smith is just looking like a classy player who chooses the right option.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Masaga is having a great game, weaves his way through defenders with incredible ease.

 

[donmcdazzle]

this ref is a clown. Force scrum is getting pumped and he is rewarding them with penalties

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It is a bit odd, but then at the same time - you can't get penalties just for having the better scrum, if Chiefs infringe and Force don't then the penalty has to go against Chiefs.
Does seem mad that Chiefs aren't getting anything for having a much much stronger scrum, though.

 

[donmcdazzle]

chiefs need to be more patient. They're pushing a lot of unnecessary passes and keeping the force in it.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

This ref doesn't seem to have any clue what's going on... Not just in the scrums, but in general play. Very frustrating.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs are a bit sloppy. fingers crossed they win this one.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Commentators are hilarious and ridiculously biased

 

[Tadginator]

great try bny the chiefs. the amount of players on sonny bill was ridiculous. great brak to start it all by robbie robinson

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Ah, it's Phil Kearns - hilarious. His comments are just plain wrong most of the time.