Chiefs 2023
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This Chiefs side look in the midst of something truly special this season, the more you watch them, the more you feel the stars are surely aligning again for their first title in exactly a decade 2013-2023...
I mean you only have to look at the age profile of their squad to see how perfectly things have been building towards this season over the last 3-4 years, the growth of Narawa & Nanai-Seturo has been very noticeable, Narawa has developed into an incredibly well rounded player since leaving the Blues, both at 23 they are now approaching their best years after initially struggling to find their feet (as many do in early 20's) in Super Rugby 2020/21.
Add to that the brilliantly astute game-management from a refined Damian McKenzie after a season directing Suntory's backline in Japan, the indispensable experience and consistency of ultimate team-man Brad Weber, in addition to the combative energy and outstanding physicality of Ratima off the bench, a vastly matured Shaun Stevenson right in his pomp at 26 years of age, a forward pack profile with a great mixture of gritty hard working leaders by example such as Aiden Ross, Rettalick, Cane, Jacobson, in compliment with big powerful ball-carriers & bruising enforcers such as Samisoni, Finau, PGS, Ah Kuoi, Vaa'ii, etc.
The Chiefs have an impressive team spine 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, with experienced leaders in crucial positions & excellent depth across the board, I hope they can go one better in 2023 and avenge that grand final loss of 2021 - even more fitting if against the same foe.
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@kiwi_expat looking promising so far but 5 or 6 All Blacks injured already. Can't afford any more injuries in some positions.
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@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
I'm not used to the Chiefs being this good tbh...quite a culture shock really.
Thanks for that Mr Gatland
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It looks like a July return via the NPC for Tupaea.
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@Bovidae I can totally understand him still being angry about it. It was disgusting what Swain did and he only missed three games, while Tupaea has been out for a very long time and is likely to miss the RWC. Not to mention the physical pain and what it did to him mentally.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae I can totally understand him still being angry about it. It was disgusting what Swain did and he only missed three games, while Tupaea has been out for a very long time and is likely to miss the RWC. Not to mention the physical pain and what it did to him mentally.
and it sounds like (from that video) he's not going to be 100% on that leg again into the future.
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@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae perhaps most of them will be playing against the blues A in the curtain raiser before the main game
I didn't realise there was another Dev match, as the Chiefs don't publicise these games. I might go along earlier then.
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@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae awesome to see wrampling and lord
Yes, it will be interesting to see how they go.
Punivai is another full squad member not involved.
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@Stargazer Chiefs dev 26 - 19 Blues A
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The Chiefs Dev led 14-0 at HT but conceded a late try to make it close in the last minute. Four tries to three in the end.
There was a serious injury to Essendon Tuitupou (I think) at 35 mins in the 1st half so the ref called an early HT break. It looked to be a neck injury as he was taken off the field using the St John buggy. This meant an extra 5 mins was played in the 2nd half. The Blues also lost Cashmore and Plumtree in the 1st half.
The Chiefs dominated in the scrums, Parker got a push-over try, and scored 2 tries from lineout drives. Lord played 50 mins, Wrampling looked solid and was replaced late in the 2nd half after spending 10 mins in the sinbin.
Also, Punivai was training with the main squad.
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All Blacks lock Josh Lord and one-cap midfielder Gideon Wrampling both made successful returns from long-term knee injuries for the Chiefs development side at the weekend, while former All Blacks prop Atu Moli (shoulder) should also be available for his first action of the season, and midfielder Alex Nankivell could be back from his concussion suffered against the Waratahs.
All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown is likely to be back in round nine or 10, following his high ankle sprain in the season-opener against the Crusaders.
