Super Rugby: Chiefs vs. Highlanders in Hamilton (22/03/2013)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

 

[Darwin]

Make or break time for the Highlanders now - if we lose here we might as well just give up, as I can't see us coming back from a 0-4 start to the season.

The bad news is Jamie Joseph has decided that we don't have enough useless old players in the side, so has called in another one. No I'm not talking about the old bald dwarf they have drafted in (he is still easily good enough for this level), I'm talking about the fact they have called in Neil Brew. Yes Neil Brew, the 34 year-old who was a solid player for us 7+ years ago (e.g. when he was in his prime), who has spent the last 3 years playing in Japan. You would have thought they would have learnt their lesson with Jake Paringatai! Obviously though the lure of an old, past his prime player (who was never even that good to start with) who has spent the last 3 year playing in a inferior competition was too much for Joseph to turn down. I understand the reason for grabbing another midfield back with Treeby and Ellison out, and Nonu in doubt, but there are so many better options available in NZ, with talented youngsters like James Lowe, Cardiff Vaega, Michael Collins, Ope Peleseuma, Pita Ah Ki, and Maritino Nemani, as well as others like Save Tokula, Dereck Carpenter, Bryce Heem, Richard Buckman (who is quite good in the midfield) - I'd even prefer someone like Glenn Dickson. Ok, rant over. As you can tell I'm not very happy at the way the season has gone thus far

Right, onto the game this weekend. We really need to have Nonu back fit (and firing), as we need his physicality in the midfield. If he is back I would opt for the following 22:
1. Woodcock, 2. Coltman, 3. King, 4. Thorn, 5. Bekhuis, 6. Wheeler, 7. Hardie, 8. Dixon, 9. A Smith, 10. Slade, 11. Gear, 12. Nonu, 13. Emery, 14. Poki, 15. B Smith
16. Rutledge, 17. Fia, 18. Hoeata, 19. Boys, 20. Tanaka, 21. Parker, 22. Popoali'i

I'm not sure who I would have in 5 and 6, as none of Bekhuis, Wheeler, and Hoeata have been in good form (Bekhuis was good in the first match, poor in the second, and missing in the 3rd). Hopefully Paringatai is nowhere near the 22, and I would prefer not to see Ioane involved either (though he actually did well off the bench last weekend...). I would definitely start Emery at centre again as he made a promising debut in the weekend. I reckon Parker deserves the spot on the bench backing up Slade, though it does make out back reserves even more tiny! Popoali'i is certainly pushing for a start, but our outside backs are one of the only parts of our side that are performing at the moment.

I'm hoping the travel factor will take its toll on the Chiefs, but I'm not overly confident!

 

[admartian]

I still want to blame the loss of Noakes. That backline doesn't look the same. Although Slade looked way better. Though I know the issue is bigger than that.

This should be another good'un.

 

[Larksea]

Highlanders will improve as Slade finds his feet but I think it's too soon for them to be able to compete with the chiefs, though the chiefs being on a return from the republic will even things up.

Interested to see if Kahui will make a comeback this week.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Nei Brew haha. Is he sure Ryan Nicholas or Romi Ropati weren't available?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm starting to think Ma'a Nonu is a SR jinxed idol. Left a struggling Hurricanes team and they were unlucky not to play in the play-offs, left the Blues and they are now flying quite high for this time of the season after they couldn't buy a win early last season. Now the Highlanders are bottom of the log (even with the help of 4 points on the bye) ater they were a leading team this time last year.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I'm hoping for another victory by the Chiefs. I also hope that Rennie puts TNW on the wing instead as center as I reckon he's a bit too smal to take on the big centers.

 

[bobbilycious]

You probably won't have to worry about that this time around. Emery is hardly a giant.

 

[admartian]

You probably won't have to worry about that this time around. Emery is hardly a giant.

He runs and plays hard though. Smart player and no dumb or 50/50 plays that I noticed. I liked what I saw.

Very promising.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Emery had a great game last week, a real confidence booster for the young bloke i would think

Ryan Nicholas and Romi Ropati were both top notch centres

we looked much better next week and i'm just hoping we keep grwoing

Sopanga apparently had a great game yeterday for the development team which was good to hear

 

[Gena_ZA]

Even thought the Chiefs are travelling back they are still clear favourites in my view
With the imminant return of centre Richard Kahui, halfback Brendon Leonard and fullback Robbie Robinson they should be able to secure a victory.

 

[nickdnz]

Yep, my money would certianly be on the Chiefs.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

The Chiefs should win, the highlanders simply don't have good enough loosies.

Some people, pre-season, had suggested the highlanders were ***le contenders but ***le contenders need a complete team from 1 to 15, almost every week. perhaps, one average loosie could be compensated for, but not three.

"I'm not sure who I would have in 5 and 6, as none of Bekhuis, Wheeler, and Hoeata have been in good form (Bekhuis was good in the first match, poor in the second, and missing in the 3rd)."

Put Hoeata at 6, you need to try something to strengthen your loosies and hoeata was good there earlier in his career, particulalry for the NZ Maoris. Bekhuis is a quality lineout player, and at this stage i think you should play your best team on paper, as every player that plays will surely be desperate enough to have a big game, given the highlanders situation.

It will be interesting to see if nani-williams plays at centre, and his matchup against emery.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs team named:

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Michael Fitzgerald
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam ©
7. Sam Cane
8. Nick Crosswell
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Andrew Horrell
13. Tim Nanai-Williams
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Gareth Anscombe
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Ben Afeaki
18. Romana Graham/Fritz Lee
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. August Pulu
21. Charlie Ngatai
22. Richard Kahui/Patrick Osborne

Great to see Kahui back. Clarke has a minor injury so isn't playing. Really frustrating to see Smith has been dropped from the 22 again. Manu's not bad, but concedes a bunch of penalties at scrum time. Smith is a potential All Black, yet gets shafted. I'm not too keen on Crosswell either, who's a walking penalty machine. I don't think we can afford to have him, Fitzgerald and Graham in the same team.

 

[Darwin]

Not a bad looking side. Like you I'm surprised to see Toby Smith drop out of the side again. In saying that, Manu has been surprisingly good. Tameifuna gets his first start of the season - I don't think the Chiefs lose anything in terms of scrummaging with him on the field (indeed they may actually improve in this department), but I feel they will really miss Afeaki's phenomenal work-rate. I think Crosswell will do a good job at 8 - I disagree he is a 'walking penalty machine'. He conceded a silly yellow card against the Stormers, but in general he actually is a pretty intelligent player, with a low penalty count. Indeed last season with the Highlanders I can barely remember him getting penalised at all. I agree with you on Graham though, and to some degree on Fitzgerald (though I think Fitzgerald will be ok when he settles in - he seems so anxious to prove himself every game...).

I remain unconvinced with Nanai-Williams at 13, but I suspect we will see Kahui get a good 20-30 mins at centre (assuming he is fully fit).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Fitzgerald does look to be improving - indeed I think he may well be a great performer for the Chiefs in the future. My view of Crosswell is partially skewed by what I saw of him for Manawatu last season, where he seemed to get pinged quite a lot.

 

[daveypnz]

Set Piece really struggles without Clarke last season, hope this won't be the case on Friday night.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yep, wasn't great earlier this season either when Clarke sat out.

 

[Darwin]

Set Piece really struggles without Clarke last season, hope this won't be the case on Friday night.

Personally I hope it is the case

 

[dasNdanger]

I'm starting to think Ma'a Nonu is a SR jinxed idol. Left a struggling Hurricanes team and they were unlucky not to play in the play-offs, left the Blues and they are now flying quite high for this time of the season after they couldn't buy a win early last season. Now the Highlanders are bottom of the log (even with the help of 4 points on the bye) ater they were a leading team this time last year.

I was thinking the same thing last year, but thought maybe it was just my imagination. But now? Hmmm. I hope it's just coincidence, and he's not the guy who physically or psychologically stifles his fellow teammates on the pitch. Or it could be that he's the one giant egg in the basket, and the club just doesn't have the room to add any more first-rate talent.

I'm hoping the Highlanders can win this one. It'll certainly help with their confidence and hopefully make them a more competitive side so that we don't start automatically assuming they'll be the losing team each week.


das