Super Rugby: Chiefs vs Western Force at Pukekohe 10/05/2013

[Amobokoboko]

Growers Stadium, Pukekohe

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Chiefs team announced, some changes but strong looking team.

1. Toby Smith
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke ©
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam
7. Sam Cane
8. Matt Vant Leven
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Bundee Aki
13. Save Tokula
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Robbie Robinson
    
    
16. Mahonri Schwalger
17. Ben Tameifuna
18. Michael Fitzgerald
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Good to see Robinson, Afeaki and Kerr-Barlow all back. Will be interesting to see how Anscombe goes at first five.

I'm quite worried about that midfield. Whilst I can see us scoring like we did last week, I don't think this is a better defensive team!

 

[Larksea]

pretty sure this game is 10/5/2013?

musical chairs in the front row again but i think this is actually the chiefs strongest front row.

Matt Van back again, I thought he was really impressive last week (as I predicted). I really hope his performances lead to a more permanent role at the chiefs. As I've said I think he's a stronger player than Fritz Lee, Filipo and even Crosswell.

Great to see TKB back but i'm disappointed Leaonard seems to be on the outer. He was really good last week and made one bad pass and instantly got pulled, but he threw some brilliant passes and runs and I think showed his kicking game is better than pulu and TKB. maybe just a case of Renee wanting to build Pulu's gametime/experience up

Tokula will be interesting. Very strong straight runner but you dont really want to make him defend too much space. Will help having Aki inside him who I think has been a brilliant defender.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I thought Leonard was very ordinary last week... His passing was very erratic.

 

[Larksea]

I still think the overall speed in which he gets the ball out makes up for the odd howler. Even the bad one he threw before being taken off Cruden had plenty of time to pick it up and kick to touch. I also saw a lot of very good passes, longer and with less wind up than what Pulu was throwing.

If anything I think he tried to do too much on defense, covering a lot of ground and missing diving tackles doesn't look good. I think a symptom of the kind of swinging door selection policy that's been going on. IF they had Started Leonard and given Pulu the last 20-30min as soon as TKB was injured then both Leonard and Pulu and the team would be better off overall.

kinda an interesting backline, take Cruden, Kahui, Tiko, Horrell and TNNW out and it does start to look a bit thin. I mean that's almost a whole first choice backline out.

 

[cyclone101]

As a bulls supporter, I would love to see the Force beat the Chiefs, but as man of logic, I just can't see that happening. Although the force supprised me last week, I hope this game is at least entertaining.

Chiefs by 12

 

[Tekadus7]

Gareth anscombe out for three games injured. Chiefs by 6

 

[austingtir]

The chiefs are looking more and more with every game like the side that got a hiding from the bulls a couple of years back in the final.

 

[Tekadus7]

The chiefs are looking more and more with every game like the side that got a hiding from the bulls a couple of years back in the final.

I have to agree sadly

 

[Amobokoboko]

Only tuned in around min 60 but the chiefs are playing dreadfull. Where is the magic spark?

 

[Amobokoboko]

Ugly win :s

 

[lynam1104]

Force look like they can compete in some games and others just all over the place, I think they have solid pack and some good backs ut need a 10 bring it together if they want to compete.

 

[Sam Owen]

Ugly win :s

Good close game but yeah. Force didnt finish the way they wanted. Chiefs had the dropsies

 

[Gena_ZA]

The Force will be a "force" to be reckon with going forward, no longer a quick 5 point opponent
This is good for Australian and Seper15 rugby