Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Chiefs in Dunedin (22/02/2013)

[Darwin]

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser & Kane McBride
TMO: Vinny Munro


[TABLE="class: grid"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD] 1996 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 5-22 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 34-18 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1998 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 29-11 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1999 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 27-16 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2000 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 38-6 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2001 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 19-50 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2002 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 24-29 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2003 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 29-16 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2004 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 31-36 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2005 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 8-31 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2006 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 13-16 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2007 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 34-38 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2008 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 24-39 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2009 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 10-14 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2010 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 21-27 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2011 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 23-13 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2011 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 7-20 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2012 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 23-19 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Waikato [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2012 [/TD]
[TD] Highlanders [/TD]
[TD] 21-27 [/TD]
[TD] Chiefs [/TD]
[TD] Dunedin [/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



​

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

That 2007 game was great, I believe it was in Queenstown.

 

[Gena_ZA]

I got the feeling the Highlanders were talked up a lot and the Chiefs a bit down for this year.
How do things stand now, considering the injuries to the Highlanders, are they still considered to make the play-offs and for this game, do you think they will beat the Chiefs?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm still backing the Chiefs simply because of a superior backrow IMO and Cruden being way ahead at 10 while I think both teams are even enough in class elsewhere.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think Chiefs will be slight favourites going into the game, but I wouldn't expect there to be more than 10 points separating the teams. Both teams have a few injury concerns (Robinson, Horrell and Kahui for the Chiefs, which will mean you'll have a couple of new players/players in unfamiliar positions, and some loosies plus Tamati Ellison for the Highlanders), which coupled with it being the first game for both teams will mean the match is quite scrappy.

The Highlanders have one main weakness, and that's their loose forward trio. Manu is a great 8, but the other two (whoever Joseph uses) will only be passable players, and they have suffered in the preseason accordingly (particularly against the Chiefs and the Blues). If the Highlanders can lay down a strong platform, they will be very difficult to beat, but that's a big IF. On the other hand, the Chiefs are probably one of the most complete teams in the competition, with no glaring weaknesses.

If the game was later in the season I'd be more comfortable picking the Chiefs to win, but as it's the first game I'm much less certain. You just need to take a look at what happened in the first game last year to see what could happen.

Teams will probably be:
Smith, Schwalger, Afeaki, Clarke, Retalick, Messam, Cane, Lee, Kerr-Barlow, Cruden, Tikoirotuma, Aki, Nanai-Williams, Masaga, Anscombe
Woodcock, Mitchell, King, Thorn, Bekhuis, Wheeler, Hardie, Manu, Smith, Sopoaga, Gear, Nonu, Burleigh, Poki, Smith

 

[Darwin]

Both teams looks like they will be affected by injury for this game. The Chiefs are really struggling with injuries to their centres, with Horrell, Kahui, and Ngatai all missing the latest warm-up match, and their last specialist mid-field back (Bundee Aki) injured in that match! Not sure what the Chiefs will do, but we could see Nanai-Williams in the midfield, which would be interesting. Fullback Robbie Robinson is also looking doubtful, so the Chiefs may be struggling to get a backline together...

I'm not exactly sure exactly what the current injury status of the Highlanders side is. Ellison is out for most of the season, Hore is suspended, and I don't think Slade is back to full fitness yet. In addition there seem to be a number of players that are carrying ****ly injuries (Hoeata, Wheeler, Thorn, Manu, Ben Smith...), so we will have to wait until the team is announced to see who is out.

Without seeing the confirmed sides I see the Highlanders as slight favourites for this match. We are at home, and over the last couple of seasons have started the year on fire. I suppose we will find out in a few days


EDIT: In terms of loosies, I agree this is an area of concern for us. However if Hardie can display the same sort of form he showed at the start of the last season before injury (when he was on fire) we might be ok. I expect either Wheeler or Hoeata will be used at 6, and they should do a serviceable job. It will give us some extra grunt up front, but we will loose the mobility that Thomson provided. Hopefully this means we will play a less lateral game, which may actually be a blessing in disguise (as the 'fling the ball as wide as quickly as possible' tactic wasn't really that effect for us last season).

 

[Adakins]

I hope the Chiefs win, but its going to be close. I think that the Chiefs know how much they are going to miss Horrell, Kahui and Ngatai so I think the forward pack will step it up to make sure Cruden who is back in form has space to move and create something. Who ever is next to him will just have to make sure he is next to him for his off load's.

 

[Amobokoboko]

As Usual: Gooo Chiefs!!!!!, a difficult start ended with the ***le last season, so bring it on.

 

[Darwin]

A quick update on the Chiefs injuries (http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/ne...alls-in-reinforcements-ahead-of-friday-clash/):

Kahui, Robinson, Horrell, and Leonard all look like they have been ruled out already, with Cruden, Anscombe, Ngatai, and Aki all carrying '****les'. Two players have been called into the squad as cover - Save Tokula, and Trinity Spooner-Neera (who?????). Apparently Spooner-Neera was in the NZ Secondary schools side last season, so I would assume he is just in there for the experience....

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs team announced:

1 Manu
2 Elliot
3 Afeaki
4 Clarke
5 Retalick
6 Messam
7 Cane
8 Lee
9 Kerr-Barlow
10 Cruden
11 Tikoirotuma
12 Aki
13 Nanai-Williams
14 Osbourne
15 Anscombe

16 Marshall
17 Tameifuna
18 Fitzgerald
19 Latimer
20 Pulu
21 Ngatai
22 Masaga

Aki, Osbourne and Marshall to make their Super Rugby debuts (Marshall is actually making his professional debut, having not played in the ITM Cup yet), with Manu and Anscombe making their Chiefs debuts. Robinson, Horrell, Kahui, Leonard all not considered due to injury. not sure what's happening with Schwalger and Toby Smith - bit surprised they aren't starting. I know Schwalger had a bit of a knee ****le earlier this month, but there's not been any announcement...

 

[Darwin]

A few interesting selections. I'm not sure where Toby Smith is, I can only assume he is injured. I read somewhere else that Schwalger is injured. Afeaki gets the nod over Tameifuna, which isn't really a surprise. Interesting to see Cane and Lee get the first crack in the starting XV - apparently Lee was impressive during the pre-season matches.

The Chiefs backline is a bit depleted, but I'm very surprised to see Osbourne starting on the right wing ahead of Masaga (I assume Masaga must not be fully fit?). It will be interesting to watch Nanai-Williams at 13 and Anscombe at 15.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

It's possible Rennie's gone for Osbourne to add a bit of size to the backline, though who can say.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Ag, poo. I was hoping for Smith to start in the props and Ngatai as well in fantasy rugby as 'value' players. Will have to reconsider now.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Ag, poo. I was hoping for Smith to start in the props and Ngatai as well in fantasy rugby as 'value' players. Will have to reconsider now.

Osbourne should be a good deal, I would imagine. Dunno what he costs etc. though. Aki should be cheap too.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Osbourne should be a good deal, I would imagine. Dunno what he costs etc. though. Aki should be cheap too.

Tx. Will have a look at them too.

 

[tenpm]

Wasn't Spooner-Neera in the Club Rugby Sevens competition? I seem to remember him scoring some tries (...although that isn't say much, in a sevens tournament).

 

[Darwin]

Wasn't Spooner-Neera in the Club Rugby Sevens competition? I seem to remember him scoring some tries (...although that isn't say much, in a sevens tournament).

I think so. I have heard he is a very promising 7's player.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think so. I have heard he is a very promising 7's player.

He's from Napier I think, a promising player, albeit a bit of a random one to bring in...

''Lelia had his first 40 minutes last week after being out injured with that knee so obviously we're keen to get a bit more training into him,'' Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie said.
​

''So he'll be better suited to come off the bench and go berserk for 30 as opposed to trying to last 80, while Patrick gives us some size in a reasonably small backline.''
​

Auckland prop Pauliasi Manu has headed off Toby Smith for the loosehead starting spot, Rennie saying he had been the form loosehead in trial games after making some ''massive shifts physically''.
​

The rest of the front row was named as Ben Afeaki and Hika Elliot, but Elliot tweaked a calf muscle at training yesterday afternoon and Mahonri Schwalger may have to be brought into the team after initial plans had been to rest him in the opening game as he returns from off-season surgery. A decision will be made today.​

Explains some of the selections. Toby Smith is the only player who seems to have been left out due to form, with the other deviations from the 'top' lineup are all to do with injury/rest, seemingly.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Hika Elliot has now been ruled out, and has been replaced in the starting lineup by Schwalger.

Interestingly that means that there are now five players in the team from Counties: Schwalger, Lee, Aki, Nanai-Williams and Pulu on the bench. I think that's a record for recent times. Indeed, only Messam and Kerr-Barlow are from Waikato, with Retalick, Cane, Latimer and Masaga being from BoP.

 

[Darwin]

It is surprising to hear Toby Smith has been left out due to form, as I was picking him to have a big year. It certainly is interesting to see so few Waikato players in the Chiefs!

I assume the Highlanders side will be named sometime this afternoon...