Preseason: Chiefs v Blues

[KiwiMurph]

For those in Aus this is being shown on Stan tomorrow.

[Bovidae]

Gallagher Chiefs to face the Blues:

Starters:
Ollie Norris
Brad Slater
Atu Moli
Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Laghlan McWhannell
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Sam Cane (CC)
Luke Jacobson
Cortez Ratima
Bryn Gatland
Peniasi Malimali
Anton Leinert-Brown
Alex Nankivell
Solomon Alaimalo
Josh Ioane

Finishers:
Aidan Ross
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Tyrone Thompson)
George Dyer
Brodie Retallick
Tupou Vaa'i
Samipeni Finau (Simon Parker)
Kaylum Boshier
Pita Gus Sowakula
Brad Weber (CC)
Damian McKenzie
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Lalomilo Lalomilo
Rameka Poihipi
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Shaun Stevenson

Impact:
Daniel Rona
Cody Nordstrom
Hamilton Burr
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Jared Proffit
Kauvaka Kaivelata
Solomone Tukuafu

[Bovidae]

Looking at those teams, it looks the "starters" could have the preferred Chiefs loose forward trio, while the "finishers" has the tight five (until Ryan is available).

[Tim]

While the Blues will roll out 12 All Blacks in their initial starting team for the final pre-season hit-out against the Chiefs in Pukekohe on Friday night, Barrett won’t feature due to illness.

Influential lock/loose forward Tom Robinson (illness) and lock Sam Darry (knee) are other notable absences this week.

Super Rugby, Sport, Rugby

Blues hopeful over Barrett fitness after missing pre-season

In a World Cup year the Blues may be cautious with Barrett’s return.

[Bones]

Tangitau to be this season's RWC wing bolter?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bones Has huge potential but a big call on a 19 year old who has yet to play NPC let alone Super Rugby.

[Bones]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Preseason: Chiefs v Blues:

@Bones Has huge potential but a big call on a 19 year old who has yet to play NPC let alone Super Rugby.

It's gotta be someone!

[Duluth]

Nice touch Suafoa

[KiwiMurph]

A quintessential preseason try.

[Yeetyaah]

Atu Moli coming off with an injury, doesn't seem to be nursing anything so maybe a head knock

[Steven Harris]

Good consistency from Williams at breakdown

[Yeetyaah]

Malimali a bit slow for a winger eh

[Steven Harris]

@Yeetyaah Malimali played for Western Sharks in the Northland Club comp back in 2019 but he was a flanker back then ..definitely strong , but I do wonder if he has top end pace

[KiwiMurph]

Blues are weak at hooker

[Nepia]

Oh this is confusing, I didn't know it was 3rds.

@Yeetyaah said in Preseason: Chiefs v Blues:

Malimali a bit slow for a winger eh

Fast enough there I guess.

[Duluth]

Scrum looks good, wingers are in decent form. With the increased pace of the game Suafoa could be useful at lock

Hope Vikena goes well in the other xv

[Steven Harris]

@Nepia you would expect most wingers at this level to have scored that try ..

[Yeetyaah]

@Nepia bit diff when it's a runaway compared to getting outpaced by RTS.

[Nepia]

@Yeetyaah said in Preseason: Chiefs v Blues:

@Nepia bit diff when it's a runaway compared to getting outpaced by RTS.

RTS is a league superstar remember which makes him instantly 39.5% faster according the guys on the league forum I fequent.

[Yeetyaah]

@Nepia wasn't supposed to be shitting on RTS, was more meaning you'd think a mid 20s Fijian winger would be quicker.