Blues/Chiefs/Highlanders game of 3 halves

[Duluth]

12/02/22 at midday

[Kiwiwomble]

@duluth i had completely missed this was happening, who is playing which "halves"?

[Duluth]

@kiwiwomble

I don't think the game has been officially announced yet. But it's on the Blues youtube channel

It's happening because the Moana Pasifika can't play their scheduled pre-season match because of covid (v Highlanders)

[Crucial]

“At this stage, whilst not confirmed, there is a distinct possibility that Moana Pasifika may not be able to participate in the final weekend of the pre-season, and we’ll adjust the schedule for that weekend if that’s the scenario we have to work with.”

Lendrum confirmed if Moana Pasifika were unable to front this weekend, it’s likely a game of three halves would be added to allow all five remaining available teams to have some sort of a hitout.

[Duluth]

@crucial

Yeah, that's the report from yesterday. The stream is now scheduled on all 3 youtube channels. So I guess that's confirmation that MP can't play this weekend

[Kiwiwomble]

@duluth i dont spend i lot of time on youtube, how does one see what is scheduled on say the Highlanders youtube channel?

[Duluth]

@kiwiwomble

It just appears in the video list.

However it appears all the streams just got set to private. I guess they’ll be visible again tomorrow

[Duluth]

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/team-named-for-final-pre-season-game-of-three-halves-against-the-blues-and-highlanders

1 Ollie Norris
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Hamish Dalzell
5 Laghlan McWhannell
6 Samipeni Finau
7 Mitch Jacobson
8 Pita Gus Sowakula
9 Cortez Ratima
10 Bryn Gatland
11 Etene Nanai-Seturo
12 Rameka Poihipi
13 Lalomilo Lalomilo
14 Shaun Stevenson
15 Emoni Narawa

Reserves:
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Kaylum Boshier
Sam Cane
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Rob Cobb
George Dyer
Tom Florence
Josh Ioane
Josh Lord
Jonah Lowe
Atu Moli
Alex Nankivell
Rivez Reihana
Xavier Roe
Bradley Slater
Angus Ta’avao
Tyrone Thompson
Chase Tiatia
Quinn Tupaea

[Daffy Jaffy]

The stream seems to have moved here -
Kick-off 12pm –
Half 1 - Gallagher Chiefs vs Highlanders
Half 2 - Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues
Half 3 - Blues vs Highlanders

[Bovidae]

I don't think you can read anything into the Chiefs team named. Good to see Moli listed but two other props still missing.

[Tim]

@bovidae Be interesting to see if Dyer gets much game time.

[Bovidae]

@tim said in Blues/Chiefs/Highlanders game of 3 halves:

@bovidae Be interesting to see if Dyer gets much game time.

He would be the next in line at TH if injuries occur. Moli may be used at LH based on the other props in the reserves. Not sure where Ross and O'Neill are.

[Bovidae]

Highlanders Team 1: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Gareth Evans, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith (captain), Mitch Hunt, Rory Van Vugt, Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Moses Dawai, Sam Gilbert.

Highlanders Team 2: Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryn Evans, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Vilimoni Koroi. Reserves: Luca Inch, Rhys Marshall, Saula Mau, Kayne Hammington.

[Dice]

Looks like Fetuli Paea's injury wasn't that bad.

[Duluth]

[Daffy Jaffy]

@duluth It seems they have borrowed Solomone Tukuafu from the Chiefs WTG for this game. I will be interested in how Langi goes. I have never seen him play before.

[Crucial]

In general (certainly Highlanders apart) there is a lot of use of WTG front rowers.

Is this because they don't need match fitness or they take longer to get ready?

[Duluth]

Plumtree, RTS & Suafoa the players getting both halves in the same position

RTS needs time

Suafoa - is Robinsons injury going to keep him out for a while? Plus Ioane will be on limited minutes

Plumtree being developed as an allrounder loosie for the bench? 7 this week, 8 last week & we know he can play 6

[Bovidae]

@Crucial It might just be who is available, for the props especially.

It does seem strange that the Chiefs have 4 WTG players starting against the Highlanders, as I doubt any will start the following week.

[ARHS]

@bovidae just wonder if Dyer or Mitch J are being considered for the 23 perhaps as injury cover? Will Sam Cane start?