Chiefs 2022
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@Duluth said in Chiefs 2022:
Now the dust has settled, does anyone want to write a 2022 Chiefs review/summary like we've had for the Canes/Highlanders?
Chiefs 2022. A case of playing to their ceiling?
Did they underperform or simply reach their peak based on the players they had? Were fans over expecting given the limitations that were obvious from the start?
There is no doubt the the Chiefs assembled a formidable forward pack with depth this season and despite injuries to big name players along the way, more than held their own in the trenches and set pieces. The scrum was not only solid but, at times, dominated some big names. There was no excuse for the platform provided to the backs and no blame can go the way of the front rowers at all.
Depth at lock is seriously good and only the pending retirement of BBBR will keep others from being snapped up elsewhere. Even then maybe McWhannell's agent might be shopping around.
The loose forwards managed all sorts of shuffles well and all had their moments. They never really had a chance to settle on a first choice combination with different players either in form or not available at different times.
Disruptions and depth. In general this was handled well by the coaches and the 'Chiefs Mana' approach and culture served them well. That's what a season and a squad is all about so no excuses there.
Selections. While we aren't party to all niggles and training ground performances there have been a few head scratchers along the way. The reluctance to try Reihana at fullback even though he showed out in a very brief cameo from the bench was one. The preference of Roe as reserve halfback at the pointy end of the season despite the find of the season being Ratima, another. Most of the fan questions have been around the back three and I don't doubt that it was the same for the coaches.
If forwards were the strength of the side, backs were the weakness. Weber didn't have his best showing in the semi but overall for the season deserved his place as first choice halfback. Ratima took every opportunity that came his way and is a must keep and Roe, while not doing anything wrong, didn't do much. An 'achieved' pass mark for the smallest backs.
Midfield rates as a 'could have done better' on this report card. While things weren't helped by the loss of the experience and class of ALB both Tupaea and Nankivell had some very good performances marred by some poor ones (QT notably in the biggest game of the season). Maybe some blame could go on ALB not being there as an old head but personal responsibility is what we need.
The real problem areas are the playmaker and the outside backs.
At the key pivot position there were high hopes going in that Josh Ioane would regain form and bring some spark along with good decision making. However, when Gatland was given a chance he surprised everyone to start with by adding some running to his game and keeping defences honest. He put in some good showings and looked like he may be good enough to scrape us home. Ioane then tried too hard to come back and lost his spot at first receiver, becoming a DMac lite off the bench. However, Gatland seems to have poor patches during games that he can't overcome and once he hits that wall he reverts to being a shoveller and throws pressure on those outside him. He isn't the long term answer but won't be going anywhere while dad is around.
No one can win this comp without a class 10 and the Chiefs need DMac back refreshed and wiser badly.The back three were always the big question from squad selection. ENS has never kicked on and looks for the step instead of the line or gap way to much. Narawa had flashes but never screamed selection while the other options put in nothing more than the journeyman performances at their ceiling. As mentioned, there was a possibility of Reihana being a Perofeta like option that was never explored.
Stocks on the rise
Ratima, Finau, Vai'i (still),Stocks that plummeted
Trask, ENS, Narawa, Reihana (for reasons unknown) -
CEO - Mike Collins moving to Australia.
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@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2022:
McWhannell
Laghlan McWhannell? 1.98m 114kg? And at 23 years that is an ok starting size I would have thought..looks heavier than 114 I would have thought: https://www.chiefs.co.nz/player/laghlan-mcwhannell
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2022:
@Yeetyaah Narawa 15, Lowe 14.
Nankivell has to be at 11 or 12, he's such an influential player on attack, but also his work off the ball.
A linchpin on defense and a real creator & great physicality he brings to a backline that lacks size.
Tupaea best at 12 than 11.. so Nankivell at 11 it is. Seturo is defensively frail & on the small side.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders with Nankivell at 11, Tupaea at 12, who were both instrumental.
The way your post reads (or, how I read your post) it seems like Nankivell is a better 12 than Tupaea?!
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No news about players but an addition to the Chiefs board. They still need to appoint a CEO.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/media-release-bill-osborne-appointed-chair-of-chiefs-rugby-board
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McMillan and then Randle were sitting near me at the Waikato-Hawke's Bay game so I am assuming they are trying to watch the games involving the 4 Chiefs teams to look at particular players. Outside backs (to replace Lowe and Tiatia) and props (Mafileo and Ta'avao off-contract, questions over the fitness of Moli and O'Neill) would be the urgent positions to fill. And then how many 1st 5s are needed in the squad.
