Super 15: Chiefs vs Highlanders. Waikato Stadium (25/2/2012, 06:35 GMT)

[Darwin]

Ah, didn't realise he got in so late - Will be interesting to see how he gets on in Super Rugby.

There was a chance that Haskell wouldn't be back until next week, but his Japanese team got knocked out at the semi-finals stage. The article I've just read suggests Haskell may be available this week, but I personally don't think they will rush him in.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

...i'm starting to feel a little sick....thanks darwin

i have to say it is one of the things in which i rate football over rugby, the comp structure, you can have a slow start of injury troubles and still have tome t pull it back...but in all the rugby comps if you dont hit the ground running you're screwed

 

[London_Italian]

Am starting to get very excited about the start of the Super Rugby season. Although i work both Saturday and Sunday here in Wellington so its going to make it a little tricky getting to matches a little tricky How do people in the know rate the Hurricanes chances this season, now that most of the backline has gone off elsewhere?

 

[cyRil]

I don't think Haskell will be in the squad this weekend - I think he only gets into NZ on Wednesday, as he has just finished his club commitments in Japan. When he's back I expect he may get a lot of starts at 7 - not a position that I particularly rate him in, but the Highlanders have Thomson at 6, Nasi Manu (who is very promising) at 8, but no established 7 (though Hardie has some talent). He will certainly get starts at 6 and 8 during the season as well when Manu/Thomson are rested (something they couldn't afford to do last season as they lacked depth in the loose-forwards).

Who was their openside last season? I can't remember his name, I think he was a South Sea Islander but I was pretty impressed from what I saw of him...

 

[TNT88]

Soakai?

 

[cyRil]

That's the geezer!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

"South Sea islander"...how quaint! yeah, soakai. good bloke and a loss to our leadership if nothing else.

 

[Darwin]

Yeah Soakai was a solid player - good tackler and a good ball runner, and strong leadership as Jabby mentioned. He did struggle at times though against genuine opensides, as he wasn't great at the breakdown (indeed Thomson was the main source of turnovers / slowing opposition ball last season). I think Hardie has potential as a genuine 7, but he hasn't really delivered at this level yet.

 

[Larksea]

going to be interesting to see Gear and Hore in Highlanders colors... Chiefs vs. Landers... my two fav teams I think with these guys added to the highlanders and Donald not playing for the chiefs my support is going to be very split

I often don't know who I'm supporting in games like this till I sit down in front of the telly and start shouting! I think if Messam is playing I'll support the chiefs. I'd like to see him outplay Thompson.

 

[Tadginator]

Amen to that. I don't like Thomson and I love messam so I hope he gets back in the all blacks this year aheAd of Thomson.

 

[Larksea]

yeah well in the past there has been room for both but this year I'm almost 100% sure one of the young specialist 7's will be selected Braid, Cane or Todd. With Todd being most likely.

That will mean that as long as the front runners are fit (Read, McCaw, Kaino)- Messam, Vito and Thomson will be fighting for ONE utility loose forward spot to make 5 loosies in the all blacks squad.

I'm still gutted for messam. He did noting wrong and was dropped for the world cup at a time when Thomson was basically the main factor in two all black losses which cost the 2011 tri nations.

And while Thomson is a very good 6 and gets some insanely high tackle counts for the AB's he gives away silly penalties and lacks impact when the game gets physical. Which is critical because the only time the All Blacks are realistically is when they are put under pressure in the physical battle. Plus he is IMO pretty rubish at 7 or 8 in comparison.

However if I stand back and be realistic. The man who most likely has the inside running is Vito simply because he is younger and more likely to still be in his prime come 2015.

But never say never, Messam's stats last season were mind blowing and unlike the other options he had no weak areas. If Messam can do the same this year in an overall improved chiefs team effort then he will make it hard for the AB selectors not to pick him.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs will take it.

 

[Darwin]

The Highlanders have delayed their team naming until tomorrow morning to assess several injury concerns.

Meanwhile the Chiefs have named their team:

1. Arizona Taumalolo, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Craig Clarke, 5. Brodie Retallick, 6. Liam Messam (c), 7. Sam Cane, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Tim Nanai-Williams, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Robbie Robinson.
Reserves: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Michael Fitzgerald, 19. Tanerau Latimer, 20. Tawera Kerr- Barlow, 21. Andrew Horrell, 22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma

No8 Alex Bradley (ankle - three weeks), lock Kane Thompson (neck - one week), and centre Jackson Willison (hamstring - one week) were unavailable.

A couple of interesting selections for the Chiefs too. Surprised to see Taumalolo get the nod over Smith at loose-head, though I expect they will rotate their props quite a bit this year. Really happy to see Brodie Rettalick given a start, as he is a quality young player (and is massive). Good to see Fitzgerald on the bench too (and Romana Graham nowhere in site, as I don't particularly like Graham). Good to see Messem is fit enough to play, but I'm quite surprised to see Cane get the 7 jersey ahead of Waldrom (who is not even on the bench!). Cane is phenomenally talented, I just assumed that Waldrom would still be the Chiefs premier 7 this season, as he was outstanding last year.

The main talking points in the backline are the SBW/Kahui combo (not surprising in the least, but it will be great to watch), and the decision to player Nanai-Williams on the wing. I personally think it is a mistake to play Nanai-Williams on the wing (I think he should be starting at fullback with either Nemani or O'Donnell on the wing), but as a Highlanders supporter I probably shouldn't complain. I can only assume Robinson has been in outstanding form in the pre-season. I expect Robinson will be heavily targeted by the Highlanders, as they know well how he can struggle to cope when the pressure comes on....

 

[Larksea]

very surprised to see Cane ahead of Latimer and/or waldrum and Taumalolo ahead of Toby Smith

it just may be that one of both latimer and Smith are not 100%

stab in the dark I'd say maybe Toby Smith is not 100% or has a ****le and maybe they want to keep lat's on the bench to replace Messam he is also under an injury cloud.

 

[Darwin]

very surprised to see Cane ahead of Latimer and/or waldrum and Taumalolo ahead of Toby Smith

it just may be that one of both latimer and Smith are not 100%

stab in the dark I'd say maybe Toby Smith is not 100% or has a ****le and maybe they want to keep lat's on the bench to replace Messam he is also under an injury cloud.

While I'm surprised to see Cane ahead of Waldrom, I'm not at all surprised to see him picked ahead of Latimer at openside. Latimer played some solid rugby for the Chiefs last season (mainly filling the role of a blindside flanker), but Cane looked far better than him during the ITM Cup (with Latimer playing almost exclusively at 6, with Cane/Braid sharing the 7 jersey). Although Cane lacks Latimers experience I think he already a better openside than Latimer - indeed I wouldn't be surprised if he gets close to an AB's call-up by the end of the year.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I know we are waiting to see if Ellison can play before naming the squad but i cant help but think it would be safer to name a squad from the guys who have been playing together and have some sort of combo working...in saying that, anything that can get Smith out of the midfield (even if late in the game) is fine with me as even though i know lots of people rate him there i think he is wasted and will get completly shown up by kahui and SBW

 

[Darwin]

I know we are waiting to see if Ellison can play before naming the squad but i cant help but think it would be safer to name a squad from the guys who have been playing together and have some sort of combo working...in saying that, anything that can get Smith out of the midfield (even if late in the game) is fine with me as even though i know lots of people rate him there i think he is wasted and will get completly shown up by kahui and SBW

No-one shows up Ben Smith I remember last season how the used him defending at 10 in the second Canes match, and he completely neutralized Nonu...

Anyways, I do agree with you - Smith is a bit wasted in the Highlanders midfield. I expect he will be partnered with Phil Burleigh, and they will hopefully have Ellison on the bench. There is a bit of a rumor going round that Popoalii is set to start on the wing (ahead of Veainu), which would certainly add some more spark to the backline!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

No-one shows up Ben Smith I remember last season how the used him defending at 10 in the second Canes match, and he completely neutralized Nonu...

Anyways, I do agree with you - Smith is a bit wasted in the Highlanders midfield. I expect he will be partnered with Phil Burleigh, and they will hopefully have Ellison on the bench. There is a bit of a rumor going round that Popoalii is set to start on the wing (ahead of Veainu), which would certainly add some more spark to the backline!

Is either of Hosea Gear or Kade Poki injured then?

 

[Darwin]

Is either of Hosea Gear or Kade Poki injured then?

Kade Poki is injured (knee I think). Piutau (who filled in well on the wing last season) is also out after ankle surgery (probably for another 2 months). Luckily Gear is fit, and it will be between Veainu, Popoali'i and possibly Ellison to partner him on the wing. Popoali'i is quite similar to Kade Poki - very short (shorter even the Poki) but incredibly elusive. He's wouldn't be as strong as Poki (who is very strong considering his size), but he probably has an even better step, and would be quicker too...

 

[cyRil]

No Scott Waldrom??!! What's going on here? Cane looks class, but Latimer isn't worth the time if you ask me.
Backline looks stonking too... Apart from that loser Robbie Robinson.