Chiefs 2023
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens would be the obvious choice from the Blues, but he has been disappointing for Taranaki this season.
We'll find out in due course.
Yes, I thought JRK has been poor when I have seen him. My earlier post was a response to the question as to whether there is anyone looking for greater chances elsewhere. I do see a logjam at the Blues for starting positions. The key is whether RTS wants to concentrate on being a winger. With Lam, Clarke and Telea he may not get many chances.
There may be some positional decisions with the Chiefs too. I don't rate Ioane as a 10, but maybe he gets time at 12 with Tupaea out. And, after last year, maybe DMac needs to play 15, leaving Gatland to run the cutter.
Kaylum Boshier has been playing 8, and Chiefs are short an open-side in my view. I hope Mitch J finally gets the call up, but Adam Brash and Veveni Lasaqa are also very good, and Patrick McCurran has been a revelation.
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@ARHS Jacob Norris is another 7 who will be looked at. Lasaqa's time will come. I'd also like M Jacobson to get his chance.
I hope they don't use Ioane as a 2nd 5, and there is no word yet that he is back with the Chiefs for 2023. Nankivell and Poihipi will be the main options, with Inga Finau benefitting from Tupaea's injury.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@ARHS Jacob Norris is another 7 who will be looked at. Lasaqa's time will come. I'd also like M Jacobson to get his chance.
I hope they don't use Ioane as a 2nd 5, and there is no word yet that he is back with the Chiefs for 2023. Nankivell and Poihipi will be the main options, with Inga Finau benefitting from Tupaea's injury.
I’d hope that they use ALB as a 12, with Nankivell and Poihipi as 13s.
Dmac has to play at 10 for us to be a Championship contender.
It’d like us to pick up a winger with really good size. How big is Wrampling? Could he manage that as someone who comes off their wing as a runner for Dmac inside balls?
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2023:
I’d hope that they use ALB as a 12, with Nankivell and Poihipi as 13s.
Poihipi is not a centre. Nankivell can play there but prefers 2nd 5 (refer to Ta$man). If Tupaea was fit, he would be 12 and ALB at 13. I have no issues with ALB being able to switch between the two positions, and he may yet fill that role for the ABs. I just don't think there is a better centre option for the Chiefs.
How big is Wrampling? Could he manage that as someone who comes off their wing as a runner for Dmac inside balls?
He has some size, but needs to recover from major knee injuries. I'm not sure when Wrampling is expected to return.
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Old news now.
But the story does indicate that Ioane is back too.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
Old news now.
But the story does indicate that Ioane is back too.
Found that incredibly interesting that was done on Chiefs behest, bloody good planning etc I think, and the kind of thinking that will make Chiefs a force in coming years. Not just planning for the now but th future too!
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@Asterik6 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
I don't understand why Clayton isn't the head coach in this particular situation?
Most recently Leon has the most stacked roster in NZ each season, with star players in virtually every position & has been the most propped-up Blues coach in memory, with 3rd party deals & unparalleled resources at his disposal, yet he constantly gets found severely lacking as a coach tactically (and mentally) against quality opposition when it really matters.
I'm been a lot more impressed with Clayton's body of work with Bay Of Plenty, NZ Maori & the Chiefs over last 5-6 years compared to what McDonald has achieved (it should be noted, with the help of world-class assistants, such as Coventry, Schmidt etc..)
I agree, MacDonald has done little to evolve his Blues since 2020 and got hopelessly outcoached in SRP final.
also note what McMillan has achieved with our MABs such as beating Ireland 32-18 this season, he did wonders with BOP as well.
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@cgrant said in Chiefs 2023:
What about McCurran and Leroy Carter ? They looked the goods in the NPC.
McCurran wasn't even in the original Waikato squad. Simon Parker is fit again (after multiple injuries/surgery) so will provide more depth at loose forward.
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Here you go @Stargazer. A day late.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/kaleb-trask-signs-with-honda-heat-returning-in-2024
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Looking into the future, Gatland will be gone by 2024 as he is in his last year of his contract next season. DMac will likely cash in in Japan or Europe so Trask will be their no.1 option at 1st 5. Reihana could be his backup, with Cashmore and Kemara underneath that. That looks like a decent succession plan to me.
