V Bookie: Super15 R12 Chiefs - Highlanders

[TRF_RC]

Round 12: Chiefs vs Highlanders (07-05-11)

The Chiefs have laid some bizarre claims that they still have an eye on getting to the play offs, trying to get in one of those wild card placings. If you ask me, it's highly unlikely, but they have the class. After a disappointing tour of South Africa they'll be looking to getting some wins under their belt again starting with their home game against the Highlanders this weekend. Mils Muliaina will proudly take to the field this week as captain for the team in what is his 50th cap for the Chiefs.

The Highlanders won't be taking this trip to Waikato lightly. The Chiefs may be lying at the bottom of the table with a handful of disappointing performances (especially considering the explosive backline they have), but the Highlanders know they'll have to play as good as they did against the Crusaders the other week. They were outgunned by the Blues last week as they went down 15-10 at home to an Aukland team that had no real ambition to play, but just to close the game down and do what was necessary. Highlanders have some classy players shining for them this season, Ben Smith being worthy of a mention as he stood out as the most influential All Black full back in last week's round.

Chiefs: 1.Toby Smith, 2.Hika Elliot, 3.Ben Afeaki, 4.Craig Clarke, 5.Romana Graham, 6.Liam Messam, 7.Scott Waldrom, 8.Fritz Lee, 9.Brendon Leonard, 10.Stephen Donald, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12.Dwayne Sweeney, 13.Richard Kahui, 14.Lelia Masaga, 15.Mils Muliaina (captain).

Reserves: 16.Aled de Malmanche, 17.Sona Taumalolo, 18.Isaac Ross, 19.Tanerau Latimer, 20.Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21.Tim Nanai-Williams, 22.Jackson Willison.

Highlanders: Couldn't find the team.
​

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs should give themselves 200% and take this needed victory. Good to see Hika back in the frontrow.

 

[Darwin]

Highlanders: Robbie Robinson, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.

One change to the Highlanders starting line, with Lima Sopoaga replacing the injured Tony Brown. I'm a bit disappointed in this decision for two reasons:
1. Sopoaga has looked out of his depth in his starts for the Highlanders earlier this year, while Robinson looked very comfortable at first-five last week.
2. Ben Smith in is the midfield again. Though Smith is a good midfield back, he is far more effective at fullback (as we saw last week). I think they would have been much better to play Robinson at 10, Saunders at 12 (especially as played well there last week), with Ben Smith at fullback.

The Chiefs look stronger than last week with Hika Elliot and Sitivini Sivivatu back in the starting lineup. Looking forward to the match-up between Messem and Thomson at 6, as they could well be competing for one spot in the AB's (though there is the possibility that the AB's selectors may take both). Out wide Sivivatu v Poki will be interesting to watch. Poki has been incredibly elusive all year, while Sivivatu was not long ago the most dangerous wing in the world. If Sivivatu is going to regain his AB's spot this year he's certainly going to have to improve his performances so far this season.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

This match, the one between the Stormers and Crusaders and Bulls vs Sharks are impossible to pick.

Looking at the log you'd have to fancy the Highlanders but for some reason I'm leaning towards the Chiefs to take this one. Just.

 

[Amobokoboko]

This match, the one between the Stormers and Crusaders and Bulls vs Sharks are impossible to pick.

Hopefully Chiefs and normally Crusaders ( tight game) and the sharks ( unless it rains)

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

V bookie added

 

[Amobokoboko]

Come on boys, need some virtual coins

 

[Darwin]

There is forecast to be some rain in Hamilton tomorrow, so I don't expect we will see an expansive game. I think the Highlanders will win, but it should be quite close. One thing I really worry about is goal-kicking, with Robbie Robinson only kicking at a shocking 50% (15/30) for this year, with Sopoaga ever worse (44%, 4/9)... the Highlanders might have to rely on scoring lots of tries...

A lot will depend on how well the Highlanders deal with the rushing midfield that the Chiefs employ. If the Highlanders can handle the pressure and show quick hands there will likely be a lot of room outside for the likes Poki and Piutau to exploit, however it can be difficult to deal with a rushing defense (as the Crusaders found out against the Chiefs). Hopefully the ref watches the Chiefs backline better than they did in the last Chiefs v Highlanders game, when the Chiefs defenders seemed to think they were playing for the Highlanders for much of the game....

 

[TRF_RC]

I'm calling the Highlanders on this game. Simply because of previous form, plus with the weather not being great I think they'll have an advantage .

 

[Larksea]

on season results you would think this would be a win to the highlanders but I honestly think the chiefs will win it. Though I am a chiefs supporter I'd rather the highlanders won because they have a far superior chance at the play offs

But I think the chiefs are on the up.

Mills back and due for a good game
Donald too and he's due for a good game. Should clearly give the chiefs an edge kicking for goal and outpoint Sopoaga in most areas.
Chiefs Loosie trio with Lee included and spearheaded by Messam is in great form.
Front Row working really well around the field, edge in the scrums should be the highlanders though.
Home Ground advantage.

 

[Amobokoboko]

And sivivatu making his return as well.

 

[TRF_RC]

Donald's gonna need a good kicking game on him tonight if the weather turns out to be as bad as they predicted, because from what I've seen of him as of late, the boot has not been his game's strong point.
The weather could turn out to be a bad thing for the Chiefs - moreso than for the Highlanders.

 

[Cassie]

I am only betting on highlanders to just scrape it because of their form lately, any other day it would have been on the chiefs.<O</O

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs 7+

Should be a good game, hopefully the weather's nice.

 

[Darwin]

Getting close to game time, really looking forward to this match. Quietly confident of an Otago win by 7+, with a couple of Ben Smith tries the difference between the two teams

 

[Amobokoboko]

Having breakie while watching the game.

 

[Darwin]

Having breakie while watching the game.

I'm drinking beer

Great try by Rutledge, after a good break by Sopoaga

 

[Amobokoboko]

Idd, it will be a long game for the Chiefs I reckon, Common Chiefs

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Donald is such a huge pile of w*nk


Masaga is quality though

 

[Darwin]

Paterson off injured... could be good for the Highlanders though as Ben Smith has gone back to fullback!

And Smith makes a break with his first touch