Super Rugby: Rebels vs. Chiefs in Melbourne (03/05/2013)

[Darwin]

AAMI Park, Melbourne

​

 

[Gena_ZA]

Kahui out (again)


Kahui's latest injury occurred in training during a tackling session at the Chiefs Ruakura training base and caused to become a spectator at Tuesday's training.
"It's not very good," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie told Fairfax NZ News.
"The issue is around his shoulder now. His hammy is OK but the medics are referring him to have another scan because he's got pain in his shoulder - the one that was operated on (last year)."

 

[Smithy the man]

Dam I feel for Kahui, he's a fantastic talent and a rock in his position, him and SBW where the most formidable centre pairing in the world IMO.

As for the game ha, the Chiefs will destroy them (I think) lol.... But they should be too strong, I'm going to put a bundle on the Chiefs, they owe me a win....lol.

 

[admartian]

Shame for Kahui. I don't actually think he's made of glass - just that he plays so damned hard at every moment during games etc that he wears his body down quicker.

Anyway, I think the Chiefs shouldn't take this game lightly. And every NZ team to treat every game like a test. Because players just aren't firing as a team.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs team announced:

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

The Chiefs have now lost three 8's to injury, Filipo, Lee and Crosswell. I don't like the constant chopping and changing we're seeing... Smith was great last week, very busy around the park and strong in the scrums, likewise I don't really understand switching Pulu and Leonard. Good to see vant Leven getting a game.

 

[Darwin]

Not a bad looking Chiefs side. I'm still not sure about Manu starting ahead of Toby Smith at LH, but Smith does seem to be out of favour. I have a slight concern about Toby Smith covering TH prop (as he got destroyed the few times he shifted to TH last season), but the Chiefs don't have any other option with Kainga and Afeaki out. The big change is the forward pack in the inclusion of Vant Leven, who will make his starting debut at 8. He is a solid player at ITM Cup level, but I can't recall him having any experience at 8? Number 8 has been a real problem area for the Chiefs this season, with Crosswell, Filipo and (presumably) Lee out injured, while Messam has been average (at very best) when shifted to 8. I would have thought Rory Grice may have been a good option (as at least he is an 8, and a promising 8 at that).

Leonard deserves another start, with Pulu still better suited to the role of an impact player. I remain unconvinced about Aki at 12. He has been very solid (particularly on defense) but I feel they need a more physical option in the midfield (with Kahui out), hence I would have opted for Ngatai.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Big game, Chiefs need to regain their trust and start playing again like they did during the beginning of the season. Injuries start to become a big issue.
The team looks good. The backline is firing and has some good speed. Should be a good game. Pity it's on Friday.

I hope they win it.

 

[Darwin]

Beale back for the Rebels, though only on the bench.

Rebels: 15. Jason Woodward, 14. Tom English, 13. Mitch Inman, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. Cooper Vuna, 10. James O'Connor, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Scott Higginbotham (capt), 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 6. Jarrod Saffy, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 4. Hugh Pyle, 3. Laurie Weeks, 2. Ged Robinson, 1. Nic Henderson.

Reserves: 16. Shota Horie, 17. Paul Alo-Emile, 18. Luke Jones, 19. Gareth Delve, 20. Nic Stirzaker, 21. Kurtley Beale, 22. Lachlan Mitchell.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I had the strangest dream Horie was starting and would captain the team...

 

[Larksea]

well it took 3 injuries but sanity prevails, I think Matt Van Leven is surely one of the most unlucky players in NZ not to get a super rugby contract. and the only issue I can see is how fit is he? My Guess is he's been keeping up to speed and been involved as part of the wider training group - I mean id there were doubts on his condition they could have started latimer. And if he wasn't fit that could have gone for Grice.

I think Matt will be an asset for the chiefs, I honestly think he's a better player than Fritz Lee or Ross Filipo anyway and easily Nick Crosswells Equal (who I rate ahead of the other two as well). He was easily one of the best players in the last half if the ITM cup and had a major hand in waikato lifting the Shield.

not really impressed with Dave Renee playing musical chairs with the chiefs front row - toby smith in particular. I know injuries haven't helped and the fact is the chiefs actually have a pretty bad injury list.. I think front rowers need to play week in week out to develop form, IMO smith should have been the starting #1 from the beginning and only rested after 3-4 games but it seems like one week he's starting the next he's benched. part of it has also been because Big "bee sting" Ben has issues towards the end of a game - against the tah's? I think Renee found that he left him out too long and it cost the game.

rebels need to be respected, sure they are down the table but a team with beale, JoC, higgenbottom + other big names will always be a threat. They are similar to the highlanders, crap results but could still beat anyone.

 

[Darwin]

well it took 3 injuries but sanity prevails, I think Matt Van Leven is surely one of the most unlucky players in NZ not to get a super rugby contract. and the only issue I can see is how fit is he? My Guess is he's been keeping up to speed and been involved as part of the wider training group - I mean id there were doubts on his condition they could have started latimer. And if he wasn't fit that could have gone for Grice.

I think Matt will be an asset for the chiefs, I honestly think he's a better player than Fritz Lee or Ross Filipo anyway and easily Nick Crosswells Equal (who I rate ahead of the other two as well). He was easily one of the best players in the last half if the ITM cup and had a major hand in waikato lifting the Shield.

not really impressed with Dave Renee playing musical chairs with the chiefs front row - toby smith in particular. I know injuries haven't helped and the fact is the chiefs actually have a pretty bad injury list.. I think front rowers need to play week in week out to develop form, IMO smith should have been the starting #1 from the beginning and only rested after 3-4 games but it seems like one week he's starting the next he's benched. part of it has also been because Big "bee sting" Ben has issues towards the end of a game - against the tah's? I think Renee found that he left him out too long and it cost the game.

rebels need to be respected, sure they are down the table but a team with beale, JoC, higgenbottom + other big names will always be a threat. They are similar to the highlanders, crap results but could still beat anyone.

Is there any Waikato player that you don't think deserves a Super Rugby contract?

A bit of a difficult game for the Chiefs, who can't afford to take the Rebels lightly (and hopefully won't if they watched the Crusaders - Rebels match last week!). I'm looking forward to the match-up between Cruden and O'Connor. Overall I'm picking the Chiefs by around 15 points.

 

[admartian]

Tameifuna seems comfortable defending out wide. Good show of burst from the big fella.

P.s. Aussies trying to say ethnic names (Tikoroituma) is painful...

 

[admartian]

Bundy Aki and Nanai-Williams probably have the best dancing shoes of any midfield combo in super rugby. Great steps on these boys.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Leonard's delivery has been horrendous so far, he is killing go forward ball with some poor passing.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Hahaha one of the worst tmo decisions you'll ever see, that was so obviously forward.

 

[Darwin]

WTF? How was that not a forward pass?!?!?

 

[admartian]

^Yep.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

What a poor decision... So obviously forward. TMO's just scared to make a call.

 

[admartian]

I hate that guy that said "It'll only be debated if the Chiefs lose..." - classic ****ing Aussie-commentary wankery....

 

[Darwin]

Leonard's delivery has been horrendous so far, he is killing go forward ball with some poor passing.

So business as usual for Leonard then

EDIT: Hat-trick for Anscombe, and a 4 try bonus point for the Chiefs. Great break by TNW.