Chiefs 2022
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@crucial said in Chiefs 2022:
Why is there a discussion about Blues v Saders in a Chiefs thread? And just to add to the GOM approach why is it in a foreign language?
I was so happy when I realised it was going to become a reasonable-length discussion, trying to outdo each other with lack-of-punctuation - rather than just a single incomprehensible comment from each.
Like sitting between two cokeheads discussing the finer points of life. -
Chiefs form has Nankivell in sights of All Blacks selectors
Alex Nankivell has been the pick of the Chiefs' backline so far in 2022.
“Coming into the season I would’ve said (that I prefer to play at) 12, but actually playing at 13 you get a little bit more time and space, and can see things a bit differently to when you play at 12.
“I’m pretty comfortable in both to be honest, but I’d probably lean toward 13 at the moment. I feel as though it suits my game, being able to get to edges of the defence and using my feet to get to weak shoulders and distribute to the outside.
Nankivell believes that both Ioane and Bryn Gatland are fantastic playmakers, however he feels that combining with Ioane has really helped him to improve his game this season.
“Josh loves to play on his instincts and have a crack at the line, so it’s actually quite good as a midfielder because he tends to hold defenders and put us into space on the outside,” he added.
“You saw that on the weekend against the Canes (Hurricanes), he was getting ball out the back and going hard at the line, and then creating space for the outside guys, setting up that try for Anton (Lienert-Brown) in that first half.”
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Nankivell has been impressive both in 2021 and 2022. He just seems to know when to be in the right place at the right time both defensively and offensively. Reminds me of the old Goodhue in that way.
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@old-samurai-jack said in Chiefs 2022:
Nankivell has been impressive both in 2021 and 2022. He just seems to know when to be in the right place at the right time both defensively and offensively.
That's something you can't teach either - players either have a feel for the game or they don't.
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Not trying to knock the guy but he doesn't look ABs material to me. Very solid domestic player which we need in our game, but we have enough decentish players in the midfield.
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This is from early this morning. Has anyone seen any updates on ALB?
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Poihipi and/or Tiatia will likely be in the 23 from now on. Hopefully Wrampling is available soon as this will be a good opportunity to get him involved.
Based on who is in the WTG the likely replacement will be either Lalomilo Lalomilo or Taniela Filimone. Filimone would be my choice.
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@bovidae Thought they may look for a 'bench player' covering fullback and five-eighths, especially if Tiatia and Lowe considered in midfield. I like Lalomilo and Filimone, but can't see them as starters. I think Chiefs are weak at kick return from fullback and this needs to be addressed.
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@arhs said in Chiefs 2022:
@bovidae Thought they may look for a 'bench player' covering fullback and five-eighths, especially if Tiatia and Lowe considered in midfield.
Ioane, Trask and Reihana already fill that role.
I think Chiefs are weak at kick return from fullback and this needs to be addressed.
And yet McMillan doesn't play the two players who can provide this in that position - Stevenson or ENS.
As to ALB's replacement, it would have to be from the Chiefs or another teams WTG, as they will be the only players who have been training regularly in recent months.
As of late January, the backs in the Chiefs group were:
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Bay of Plenty)
Liam Coombes-Fabling (Waikato)
Logan Crowley (Taranaki) - a halfback
Taniela Filimone (Manawatu) -
@bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:
I know this was mentioned in another thread but this from the Chiefs.
Even more important now we find a second five-eighth to partner Rieko for the Ireland tests.
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Injury/availability update
Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane is a day-by-day prospect for his team’s big Super Rugby Pacific match against the Brumbies in Hamilton on Saturday night as baby-watch continues.
Outside backs Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo, who both missed the two-week trip across the ditch, are available this weekend, which could see Quinn Tupaea move back to the midfield following his impressive two-game effort out of position on the left wing.
All Blacks halfback and co-captain Brad Weber – who injured a shoulder/neck against Moana Pasifika a fortnight ago – and one-test first five-eighth Josh Ioane – who got a whack in the ribs against the Hurricanes on April 3 – are also back training and should be available in the next week or so.
The outlook is also surprisingly good for winger Shaun Stevenson, whose knee injury against Moana looked season-ending, but it turning out to be far less serious, with him already back running.Brodie Retallick is also nearing a return from his broken thumb suffered against the Crusaders on March 26. This weekend will mark six weeks since the injury, with the All Blacks lock, who is getting through a heap of individual running work at training, having initially been given a likely timeframe of six to eight weeks on the sideline.
