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Super 15: Blues - Chiefs in Auckland (04-06-2011, 8:35 GMT)

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Larksea

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Carisbrook, Dunedin (03-06-2011 7:35 GMT)
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Always a huge game I think both teams will be out to impress. If you are good enough at maths the chiefs do have a chance but it's not realistic. For the chiefs it will be about pride and impressing both the all black selectors and the new chiefs coach for next year. On the other hand the blues will be desperate for points after stalling for a few weeks and giving a clear lead to the Reds.

For the chiefs, IMO on paper this is the best chiefs side of the season with the return of Ben May, Nathan White and Umaga. The only players missing are Scott Waldrum and Nanai Williams from what I would consider the best chiefs 22.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Tana Umaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Hika Elliot, Ben May. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith, Culum Retallick, Matt Vant Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Mike Delany, Dwayne Sweeney.

havn't seen the blues side yet. It will be a big test for them, the chiefs are one of the form NZ teams of the momment.

may come down to who can adjust better after both teams have just had a bye.


<a href="http://winbetting.at/therugbyforum?CTY=1&amp;CID=15908"><img src="http://b1.perfb.com/b1.php?ID=15908&amp;PURL=winbetting.at/therugbyforum" border="0" /></a>

*Vbookie odds supplied by BWIN*
 
Blues – 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Alby Mathewson; 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

Key game for the Blues. They haven't really looked like the same team since they lost Toeava; not only was Toeava a brilliant attacking option from the back, but he also was rock solid in defense and under the high ball. Great to see Brett dropped down to the bench, and MacAlister starting at 10. This is not only good for the Blues, but will also do wonders for MacAlisters AB's hopes, as he will get a chance to prove that he can control the game from 10. Mealamu is a big loss for the Blues; I understand he's been rested at the request of the AB's selectors. McCartney will do a solid job at hooker, but the Blues will miss Mealamu's huge workrate and leadership abilities.

Great to see Umuga back for the Chiefs (if only to get Sweeney out of the 12 jersey..). This might be the first time this year that the Chiefs have had their top backline together! The Chiefs will also be happy to have Latimer back from injury, given they have lost Sam Cane to the Under 20 squad.

The loose-forward matchups will be a highlight for me. Messem has been in the form of his life, while Kaino has started to look like he is getting close to his best in recent weeks. The clash between Lee and Saili at 8 will be good to watch too, as these are two two of the most physical number 8's in he country. Mathewson v Leonard at halfback will be an important clash as well; Leonard go the best of Mathewson in their last clash, with Mathewson lack of a strong kicking game exposed in the wet conditions. Donald v MacAlister at 10 will be a key too, as Donald has started to show some strong form in recent weeks. Ranger v Masaga will be a great clash between two of the most dangerous wings in the game, while Rokocoko v Sivivatu could have a huge impact on whether either/both/neither of these players make the AB's this year.

I'm picking the Blues to win a close match, by about 5 points.
 
If Blues lose I will be writing a strongly worded letter to Andy Dalton at the Union. ;)

5hit its been tough being a Blues fan these last few years!!
 
Dizzy did you put 500 of your 510 v bucks on the chiefs? hehe

I think momentum is with the chiefs. they have looked one of the better NZ sides over the last month beating the Stormers and Pushing the Crusaders and the Blues havn't been the same side sinse they lost Toeava and started shifting personal around the backline.

Huge thing for me will be Leonard & Donald vs Mathewson & McAlister. They will pretty much be head to head motivated by All Black selection. Chiefs lost the last one off the back of some poor goal kicking with Donald out injured.

Plus Having Tana back is a huge boost as Sweeny has been Mud as a play maker and the outsides have been starved. Time uncle Tana came back to feed them.

Blues have more to play for but both have points to prove.

Chiefs by <8
 
McAlister starting at 10 tonight? Not only will that leave the All Blacks selectors happy but also everyone else who thinks that Brett should not be starting no.10 week in week out!
 
Here's hoping the Chiefs do the Stormers a favor (after spoiling our starting game on tour T_T). Go, CHiefs!!
 
Hope the Chiefs can win this one, they need to win all the resting games so we can speak about a good season
 
Pretty open game so far. Geez Donald has been poor!

TRY Umuga. He has shown some good pace for an old man! Good to see Sivivatu looking dangerous as well.
 
Last edited:
oh no mcalister is having one of those games where he tries to do too much and ends up making things worse, seen him do this often when his team are losing
 
Every kick of his is different, he is definitely trying too hard.
 
This way, Blues do not deserve the win. If they lose, they have to be careful not to lose the Conference lead next week when they play the Crusaders
 
Well, a win to the Chiefs. If Donald and MacAlsiter were auditioning for the role of Dan Carters backup, the AB's have a serous problem!

The Chiefs seemed to have all the ball in the first half, while the Blues seemed to have all the possession in the second, but were unable to crack the Chiefs defense. Hard to find many standouts for the Blues: Faumaina looked good when he came on (though gave away a silly penalty for not releasing), Kaino looked good at times with the ball in hand, while Ali Williams looked good in the lineouts. The Blues backline lacked any cohesion; Mathewson's lack of a quality kicking game was again exposed, MacAlister tried to do too much himself, Lachie Munro looks out of his depth at this level, and wings were generally starved of the ball.

Liam Messem and Fritz Lee were the standout Chiefs forwards for me, both strong with the ball in hand and punishing in defense. Donald had his moments, but made numerous mistakes. Umuga was good before he went off injured; it's amazing how good the Chiefs backline looks when they have a second-five who actually passes the ball! Kahui looked good again (even though he seemed to be injured), while the back three all looked good, particularily Sivivatu and Muliaina. Sivivatu was at his elusive best, breaking the line almost at will, though he did make a few basic errors, while Muliaina looked to be getting back to his best, looking dangerous with the ball in hand and solid in defense.
 
TRF_Ezequiel said:
This way, Blues do not deserve the win. If they lose, they have to be careful not to lose the Conference lead next week when they play the Crusaders
Click to expand...

i thought they did deserve to win in the second half, they played all the rugby, had all the ball, made all the line breaks but every time they looked like they were gonna score they'd end up losing the ball , that and McAlister missing 5 shots at goal, 2 of them were hard shots but he should have got the others.
 
Dissapointing AGAIN!!!...most inconsistent team out man. Just cause were called the Blues doesnt mean we have to go through the blues ARGGGHHH.

Sort it out Pat, sort it out..
 
Crusaders can grab the conference lead next week, which might mean the Blues have to play in the first play off round. For a while it looked like they would get to the top2 teams uncontested but losses against the Reds, Stormers and Chiefs just pushed them back. It's sad to see, but for me as a Sharks fan good news. I prefer playing the Blues in stead of the Crusaders in the play offs
 

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