Super 15: Chiefs - Reds @ Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (18-06-2011, 06:30 GMT)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (18-06-2011, 08:35 GMT)

The last time these two teams met the Reds beat the Chiefs 18-23 in Hamilton and that victory ended a four match losing streak for the Queenslanders.

The teams met again in Hamilton this week with very different targets for the teams. The Reds will be looking for a victory that will give them home advantage in the final if they make it that far while the Chiefs will be looking to avoid the wooden spoon in the New Zealand Super Rugby conference.

The Chiefs and the Reds have played each other 15 times and the Chiefs have won 8 times and lost 7 times.

On average when the teams meet the Chiefs score 26 points against the Reds who score 25 points against the Chiefs.

In Hamilton the Chiefs are at home so they perform better. On average in Hamilton they score 27 and the Reds on average score 21 points against the Chiefs.

The Reds have been severely hit by injuries and have brought in Caleb Ralph for this clash. At the time of writing the Reds had not named their team but it is safe to say that they will be grateful for the bye they have already secured next week.

The Reds can only be overtaken by the Stormers on the Super Rugby standings. To hold on to the top spot the Reds need two points from this match. A four try loss within seven points or a draw will be enough for the Reds to stay on top.

In recent weeks the Chiefs have enjoyed some marginally improved form having beaten the Blues and drawing with the Hurricanes. They have not lost since they played the Crusaders on the 21st of May.

The Reds meanwhile scraped home against the Force last week thanks to a late try. They are desperate to get their players back and hopefully the bye will help as the backs are extremely thin.

The Reds have also had to travel from Perth to Brisbane and then on to Hamilton this week so the travel will most definitely be factor in this one. The Reds may also not be as urgent this week as they only really need 2 points.

source: superxv.com


Last five results:
05 Mar 2010 Chiefs v Reds 18-23 Hamilton
28 Mar 2009 Chiefs v Reds 50-26 Brisbane
26 Apr 2008 Chiefs v Reds 32-20 Hamilton
24 Mar 2007 Chiefs v Reds 21-19 Brisbane
03 Mar 2006 Chiefs v Reds 35-17 Hamilton

Chiefs overall record against the Reds
Played 15 , Wins 8 , Losses 7, Draws 0

Match Officials:
Referee: Keith Brown
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson, Nick Briant
Television match official: Mike Fraser

Teams

Chiefs: 1. Ben May , 2. Aled de Malmanche , 3. Nathan White , 4. Craig Clarke , 5. Romana Graham , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Tanerau Latimer , 8. Fritz Lee , 9. Brendon Leonard , 10. Stephen Donald , 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu , 12. Dwayne Sweeney , 13. Save Tokula , 14. Lelia Masaga , 15. Mils Muliaina (Captain)

Reserves: , 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Ben Afeaki , 18. Culum Retallick , 19. Matt Vant Leven , 20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 21. Tim Nanai-Williams , 22. Jackson Willison


*Reds have not given their line up yet*



<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*

 

[Darwin]

It looks like it will be another wet match in Hamilton; this should play into the Chiefs hands, as they seem to have played most of their matches in the rain this year!

Surprised to see de Malmanche start at hooker; de Malmanche struggles to throw a dry ball accurately into the lineout, so I'd imagine the Reds will certainly be targeting the Chiefs lineout! Kahui is a big loss for the Chiefs; Tokula is a strong runner, but he can be a bit weak on defense at times. If it is wet the kicking games of Leonard and Donald are going to be key. Hopefully the Chiefs do manage to get the ball out too their outside backs (though the forecast wet conditions and Dwayne Sweeney will make this a challenge) as Sivivatu, Masaga, and Muliaina have looked dangerous in recent weeks, and the Reds have huge injury problems out wide.

I'm picking the Chiefs to win this match, though I'd expect it will be very close.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Faingaa
3. James Slipper
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Dom Shipperley
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Will Chambers
14. Rod Davies
15. Jono Lance
16. James Hanson
17. Greg Holmes
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Radike Samo
20. Ian Prior
21. Dallan Murphy
22. Caleb Ralph


If I were the Chiefs I'd be worried about Samo coming off the Bench and taking the level of intensity to the next level.

 

[Darwin]

1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Faingaa
3. James Slipper
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Dom Shipperley
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Will Chambers
14. Rod Davies
15. Jono Lance
16. James Hanson
17. Greg Holmes
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Radike Samo
20. Ian Prior
21. Dallan Murphy
22. Caleb Ralph


If I were the Chiefs I'd be worried about Samo coming off the Bench and taking the level of intensity to the next level.

I'd be more worried about Caleb Ralph coming off the bench; it's really hard to play rugby when you are laughing :lol:

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I'd be more worried about Caleb Ralph coming off the bench; it's really hard to play rugby when you are laughing :lol:

Leave him alone, he has to give up his penison for 3 months just to play for us. Must take alot of courage to throw away your $63 a week.

 

[Wally]

Fuarrrk that's a novice team.

Woldog, is Leroy Houston injured or did he just get dropped from the squad?

 

[Hulk Hogan]

He was playing premiers for Sunnybank a week or so ago :\ I think maybe he's given up working hard and so he's not getting rewarded with gametime as he would if he was working as hard as he could at training.

 

[Larksea]

Surprised to see de Malmanche start at hooker

Aled was told he was not wanted by Dave Renee so has taken a contract in france and foster has given him a start in what will be his last game.

 

[Larksea]

had my eye on this game for some time as one the chiefs can win and cause a real upset.

Looking forward to see Higginbotham vs. Messam which will be NZ's vs. AUS best 6

Also Leonard & Donald vs. Genia & Cooper

Shame kahui is out but I think he's done enough for AB selection and has bigger fish to fry. Will be good to see Save Tokula get a run though will he get any ball outside sweeney? I hope so he's such a powerful runner.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs should have their momentum and home advantage. Goo Chiefs

 

[Hulk Hogan]

had my eye on this game for some time as one the chiefs can win and cause a real upset.

Looking forward to see Higginbotham vs. Messam which will be NZ's vs. AUS best 6

Also Leonard & Donald vs. Genia & Cooper

Shame kahui is out but I think he's done enough for AB selection and has bigger fish to fry. Will be good to see Save Tokula get a run though will he get any ball outside sweeney? I hope so he's such a powerful runner.

I doubt it would cause any real upset :\ I don't really care who wins... we have a home semi it's all good.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Bit sad that Delany isn't even on the bench.

Would've been a good game to see Delany at 10, Donald at 12 and Tokula at 13... Ah well.

 

[Darwin]

Bit sad that Delany isn't even on the bench.

Would've been a good game to see Delany at 10, Donald at 12 and Tokula at 13... Ah well.

I thought they should have used Delany at 10 and Donald at 12 all season, but the coach decided that Sweeney was the answer at 12... hmmmm....

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yeah, I meant especially today as it's Delany's last... He hasn't been seen for a few weeks...

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well it's the coach his last game as well. we will see

 

[Amobokoboko]

The end of an era has arrived. Altho that denied try from Leonard is discussable, the ref did give the Chiefs a hard time. E.g. that last line out which wasn't a line out as Mils passed the ball before going out. I do think the better team won as the Chiefs missed out 3-4 opportunities to score a try.

Many thanks to Mils, Aled, Siva, Mike,etc... For being part of a great chiefs team.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

What? No special thanks to Stephen Donald? I thought he was also leaving

 

[Amobokoboko]

I did typ ...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

What a poor officiating display... Absolutely dreadful.

 

[Wally]

The best thing to come out of that game is the Reds proved they can win ugly in tough conditions.