Highlanders v Chiefs

[Darwin]

Should be an interesting game. Both teams will want to improve there accuracy, as they both blew a number of try scoring opportunities last week. The Highlanders probably have an edge up front, while the Chiefs have a much more dangerous backline if they get some front foot ball.

If I was the Chiefs coach I'd consider making a few changes in the forward pack. Toby Smith was one of the standout props during the NPC, so I'm not sure why he is on the bench behind Ben May (who he started in front of during the NPC). He would certainly improve the Chiefs scrum. I'd start either Callum Retallick or Triggs ahead of Graham, who despite being a very good athlete, is still not a great rugby player. If Hika Elliot is back to full fitness I'd have him starting ahead of de Malmanche (though they may ease him back from the bench).

Though I'd love to see Kerr-Barlow starting, I think he is better of playing a few more games from the bench before he gets a start.

I don't think there will be many changes to the Highlanders. The only change I would consider would be bringing in Nick Crosswell for Nasi Manu, and switching Thomson to 8 (assuming Crosswell is fit). Though I do rate Manu, he did miss a huge number of tackles against the Hurricanes, which is unacceptable for a loose-forward. I would also start Robinson at first-five, but I suspect that Sopoaga will be given another go.

Really looking forward to this game - especially as I'm watching it from a corporate box

 

[Kiwiwomble]

from a box? nice! miss a little atmosphere though....probably just the jealosy talking

the only other though i had was robbie in at fullback and smith to the wing, just to take over the kicking and let Lima really settle.

 

[Darwin]

from a box? nice! miss a little atmosphere though....probably just the jealosy talking

the only other though i had was robbie in at fullback and smith to the wing, just to take over the kicking and let Lima really settle.

There are seats outside the box so you can get a little atmosphere if you want

As much as I want Robinson to be starting, I wouldn't want to move Smith from fullback, as he is always far more effective at fullback than on the wing. Could be an option though..

 

[Amobokoboko]

Interesting game, could go any direction actually.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Blow out to the Chiefs, I'd imagine...

Chiefs Announce Team to Take on Highlanders

The Chiefs have announced their team to take on the Highlanders in round two of the Investec Super Rugby competition.

The game will be played at Carisbrook in Dunedin this Friday the 25th of February with kick off at 7.35pm (NZT).

Chiefs' Coach Ian Foster said "we are keen to build on our second half performance from last week's game as we travel to our second away match at Carisbrook. We have taken into account the significant travel and the six day turn around and have made some changes accordingly, as well as two injury changes with Craig Clarke who came away with a head injury and Fritz Lee with a knee injury which has ruled them out. Romana Graham, who had probably played his best game at Super Rugby level, suffered bad cramp and we have made decision to rest him this week".

"Congratulations to Isaac Ross who gets his first start for the Chiefs this week."

"Our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch as we too have players with families there" commented Foster.

The Chiefs team to play the Highlanders, this Friday the 23rd of February at 7.35pm:

1. Toby Smith

2. Aled de Malmanche

3. Nathan White

4. Hayden Triggs

5. Isaac Ross

6. Scott Waldrom

7. Tanera Latimer

8. Liam Messam

9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow

10. Mike Delany

11. Sitiveni Sivivatu

12. Dwayne Sweeney

13. Jackson Willison

14. Lelia Masaga

15. Mils Muliaina (Captain)

Reserves

16. Ben May

17. Daniel Perrin

18. Culum Retallick

19. Steven Setephano

20. Brendon Leonard

21. Stephen Donald

22. Tim Nanai-Williams

Not considered for this match due to injury Craig Clarke, Colin Bourke, Fritz Lee and Richard Kahui.

 

[Darwin]

Blow out to the Chiefs, I'd imagine...

If you mean the Chiefs are going to get blown away by the Mighty Highlanders I agree with you entirely

Wow, that's a lot of changes for the Chiefs! Some are really good changes for them - Toby Smith at loosehead prop is going to strengthen their scrum. I also like the combination of Kerr-Barlow at halfback and Delany at first-five. Having Scott Waldrom's speed at 6 will also be an advantage for the Chiefs to combat Thomson.

Umuga looks like he's been given a rest - he didn't play more than 2 NPC matches in a row for Counties, so he may not play many back-to-back matches for the Chiefs. I'm not convinced by the Chiefs midfield - I would have had Willison at 12 and Sweeney at 13.. It's also strange that they have dropped Nanai-Williams to the bench - though he made a few obvious mistakes he was the most dangerous player (from either team) on the park last week.

I will wait until the Highlanders name their team before I make any serious prediction on the game..

 

[TRF_RC]

Or maybe Umaga was dropped because he was ineffective like the rest of the team last week?
Chiefs have a lot of dangerous players - and showed it at times - but they failed to execute on so many occasions that they deserved to be punished.
Neither of the teams had a good game last week and will definitely be looking to up their performances, but the Highlanders do have the momentum of having a win behind them.
I look forward to the match.

 

[Sam Owen]

What a difference Issac Ross makes to the Chiefs. He was coming up with some big plays for the Cantabs in last years ITM cup, lets hope he continue his good form for his new team.

Kerr-Barlow gets the nod ahead of Leonard after his initiative, vision and determination saw him go over for a good try, that any other parts to his game.

However Im going for the Highlanders this week, I know they can do it.

 

[Darwin]

Or maybe Umaga was dropped because he was ineffective like the rest of the team last week?
Chiefs have a lot of dangerous players - and showed it at times - but they failed to execute on so many occasions that they deserved to be punished.
Neither of the teams had a good game last week and will definitely be looking to up their performances, but the Highlanders do have the momentum of having a win behind them.
I look forward to the match.

That could very well be the case, but I actually thought Umuga was one of the better Chiefs backs last week (not that that's saying a lot!) - he made a lot of tackles and did force a couple of turnovers in the tackle.

If I was the Chiefs coach I probably would have gone with a Donald/Muliaina midfield.....

 

[Larksea]

The changes kinda reak of rotation rather than form changes, Donald, Leonard, Williams and Tana all had good games the problem was the team as a whole just missed a bit of continuety. heck had a couple of important passes stuck they would have ended up with 5 comp points and if the lineouts weren't as bad as they were I think it would have been an easy win. Shame really because those first three in particular are the chiefs big play makers and they really need time on the park because they need to be on song by week 3-4 to build for the season. Chiefs do have the strongest pair of 10's of the NZ teams though so it's fair they share gametime. Though it may not do either of their AB chances much good if neither of them are seen as the first choice option.

The mid field is a bit of a mess and will be till Kahui is back and the best option for 12 is found. Saw a couple of really nice touches from Jackson-Willson when he was on though.

I will add I'm happy to see Messam at 8 I think the chiefs are at their best when he's there, he can be a good play maker from the scrum in that position and his speed is great for taking advantage of quality ball from the scrum.

Sanity has prevailed with Toby Smith starting, he was lightyears ahead of Ben May in the NPC, and if I was going to pick a bolter for the AB's this year his name would come up.

The Chiefs lineout was poor and it really comes down to Aleds throwing. He simply has to improve, there really is no other option. The chiefs cant win games with the lineout performing like it did last weekend and it impacted the resilt for sure.

 

[dan the man]

I think that having Delany start will make the game very different, also having Ross will be a welcome addition.
The Highlanders have a great forward pack and although they don't have an explosive backline Cowan (although i'm not his biggest fan) is pretty good at controlling the game, taking away his captaincy is a good thing as it lets him concentrate on his own game... The Highlanders are a different team this season, last week they managed to shut down the All Black backline. I think they could cause a few upsets this year, especially once Slade comes back...

i'm gonna say the Highlanders by less than 7

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs line up:

1. Toby Smith
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White
4. Hayden Triggs
5. Isaac Ross
6. Scott Waldrom
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Liam Messam
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Mike Delany
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Jackson Willison
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina (Captain)



Reserves
16. Ben May
17. Daniel Perrin
18. Culum Retallick
19. Steven Setephano
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tim Nanai-Williams

Not considered for this match due to injury Craig Clarke, Colin Bourke, Fritz Lee and Richard Kahui.

 

[William18]

I'm shocked at the amount of changes in that team. Tana dropped? I'm not his biggest fan but I thought he would at least be on the bench? That Chiefs midfield looks pretty average. What's up with Kahui? I probably would have put Donald in there at 12. The only thing that I'm pleased about is Waldrom starting.

 

[Sam Owen]

I probably would have put Donald in there at 12.

Great idea

 

[Amobokoboko]

Kahui is recovering from a neck injury and indeed the team doens't look that strong.

 

[Bull]

I think the Chiefs will take this one, they have a better looking team all-round.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I hope the Chiefs take it and that Nanai Williams gets some more game time.

 

[cyRil]

I would have had:
12. Donald
13. Muliaina
15. Nanai-Williams

But then what do I know?

 

[Darwin]

Highlanders named: (http://www.planet-rugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3824_6773346,00.html)
15 Ben Smith, 14 James Paterson, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan , 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Siale Piutau.

The only change from last week is Schwalger (back from injury) replacing Mitchell on the bench. I'm actually quietly confident about the Highlanders chances in this game. I think we (the Mighty Highlanders) have an edge up front (though Toby Smith inclusion will help the Chiefs). The Highlanders will want to put pressure on the Chiefs lineout, as this is obviously a weakness for the Chiefs, and the Highlanders do have three good lineout jumpers (Bekhuis, Hoeata, Thomson).

The Chiefs do have an advantage in the outside backs, however it's a matter of getting them the ball. If they do want to get it to the outside backs they are going to have to skip the ball past Sweeney at 12, as he will cut back in and have a go whenever he gets the ball - this may actually quite effective though, as the Treeby/Sopoaga defensive channel looked a bit shaky at times versus the Hurricanes.

I'm going to pick the Highlanders to take it by 5 due to their home ground advantage. But what do I know? Last week I picked the Canes to win by 15-20

 

[Larksea]

I think kahui is like 3 weeks away, really looking forward to seeing him back. and in combination with Tana. Kahui does have a habit of coming back strongly from his injuries and not needing "a couple of weeks" to get upto speed.

9, Leonard
10, Donald
11, Sivivatu
12, Tana
13, Kahui
14, Flash/Williams
15, Mills

that backline would have to be close to if not the best in the super14, Sweany is a good player but when he's starting it means that the Chiefs are fielding a less than Ideal lineup. Good impact player/cover guy but not at his best playing 80 each week IMO.

Wings are a tough call right now, Williams is such a good player and getting better all the time. has a huge skillset. Flash has an outstanding try scoring record at super level and has improved his allround game somewhat too. Sivi may be the best winger in the world when he's at his best but he's not right now. But it's important to feed him gametime and nurture him back to his best and make sure he is given the best change to be back to top form for the end of year.

I think right now I'd start Flash & Sivi but make sure williams gets lots of time off the bench 30min+ each week and play 80min each 4th game or so.