Chiefs v Blues
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@taniwharugby My memory isn't great, but i thought he scrummaged adequately in his AB tour? Seemed there was a definite improvement.
It's going to take a lot for people to forget that 'tahs game last year though
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Ofa's scrum work when in an AB jersey has been good.
One interesting issue though - he has improved particularly when he has played tighthead and in this game he looks to be covering loosehead from the bench so if he gets on it will be interesting to see how he goes.
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The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the Blues at 7.35pm on Friday is:
- Kane Hames (10)
- Hika Elliot (105)
- Nepo Laulala (1)
- Dominic Bird (12)
- Brodie Retallick (72)
- Liam Messam (147)
- Lachlan Boshier (9)
- Michael Leitch (23)
- Tawera Kerr-Barlow (68)
- Aaron Cruden (captain) (74)
- James Lowe (38)
- Johnny Faauli (1)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (25)
- Tim Nanai-Williams (78)
- Damian McKenzie (34)
RESERVES:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho (1)
- Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (12)
- Atu Moli (12)
- Taleni Seu (19)
- Tom Sanders (15)
- Jonathan Taumateine (1)
- Toni Pulu (14)
- Shaun Stevenson (8)
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@Crucial said in Chiefs v Blues:
Any idea why Boshier instead of Karpik? Is Karpik injured already?
I'll answer my own question after some googling.
Just seems to be a combination of giving Boshier a crack and Karpik having shouldered most of the workload in the pre-season and first game.
Bench seems a little odd though. I assume Seu is covering lock/6. Sanders is mainly an 8 isn't he? They look to me to be targeting a defensive role for the loosies more than a turnover role. Get your turnovers via defensive pressure and errors.
This is going to be one hell of a game I think. As much as I'd like the Chiefs to win I'd also like the Blues to continue their resurgence. A Blues team playing well adds a lot to the competition IMO.
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@Crucial Boshier is good at getting turnovers as he has more size to him than Karpik.
Seu will definitely be the backup lock/6, and I think that will be his role for most of the year unless Retallick or Bird are rested. Sanders can also play at 6 and Leitch provides the cover at 7.
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I didn't get to watch the Chiefs v Highlanders match in detail, but it seemed to me that Karpik was't that effective in slowing Highlander ball down. If my (admittedly basic) impression is correct, that would be enough to give me pause when selecting a side for the Blues.
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That surprises me! I thought it would be 50/50 split on the Chiefs Blues game.
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@Hooroo Blues haven't beaten Chiefs in 6 years/10 games.
Any word on the crowd? Should be a good one you'd think given last year's fixture in Hamilton was a good crowd, weather looks good and this year's contest looks even better. Plenty of All Blacks (and potential future All Blacks) on show.
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@KiwiMurph I haven't heard yet but historically the Blues game always attracts a large crowd. It's the first Chiefs home game since the match vs Wales last year too.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:
@KiwiMurph I haven't heard yet but historically the Blues game always attracts a large crowd. It's the first Chiefs home game since the match vs Wales last year too.
This is our year!
Blues by 13+ ... hey, I was right last week OK?
