Chiefs v Hurricanes
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Remember that Chiefs have their short Oz tour to come after this match (Canberra and Perth) then back for a home quarter.
Not sure how that will affect things but at the moment Force, Drua, Rebels and Highlanders are fighting for that 8 slot or Reds/Tahs 7th. Either way a quarter may be against a team that has had to travel a way.
You want momentum and the Force are capable at home.
Are there limitations on travelling squads? Or can you swap some players out?
I'd be tempted to go all out in this one, see what happens in other games, then decide whether to do any resting against the Brumbies.
Finau got pretty bashed about last game and Jacobsen has had a big workload. DMac hasn't had a rest but Gatland is out and Ioane underdone.
Basically I haven't a clue but I don't think we can do 6 weeks of the top XV/23 with travel and expect to be firing at a final. -
I was thinking about what the Chiefs may do myself. Obviously they need to beat the Canes first and then look to win in Canberra. Then I'd be sending a lot of the best players home to avoid traveling to Perth. I would assume that the rest would stay in Aust to avoid unnecessary travel and the extras would join them.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Chris the positive thing about playing three intense games before the playoffs is that it battle-hardens a team. I've seen the Canes slip up on so many occasions because they've played easier games leading into the playoffs, so maybe this is what they need to prepare for the big matches later on.
The Hurricanes haven't beaten the Chiefs or Crusaders since 2020, I think they are overdue a win against one of the 'big' sides, but only one (it'll probably be the Blues) as they lack consistently to back it up, the next few weeks are going to define Jason Holland's tenure.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@Chris the positive thing about playing three intense games before the playoffs is that it battle-hardens a team. I've seen the Canes slip up on so many occasions because they've played easier games leading into the playoffs, so maybe this is what they need to prepare for the big matches later on.
The Hurricanes haven't beaten the Chiefs or Crusaders since 2020, I think they are overdue a win against one of the 'big' sides, but only one (it'll probably be the Blues) as they lack consistently to back it up, the next few weeks are going to define Jason Holland's tenure.
Well they won't beat the Saders. There's an unwritten rule that Razor's assistants aren't allowed to show him up.
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The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s. -
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
their problems haven't come from 10 though, watch Chiefs loss, it was Holland's bench management, he subbed his largest lock and largest loose forward (Flanders) and replaced them with 2 small loose forwards, he also replaced Roigard for Booth around 55 minute mark and that proved to be detrimental as Roigard was their most influential player up to that point.
What I meant was yes, they should have no excuses this year, but the injuries to 10s will be what the hat is hung on.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes really need to deliver on their potential this year and match the top 3-4 sides, in previous seasons Holland has had a few variables such as rebuilding in key positions, injuries & a young developing forward pack, but they now have a world class 12/13 pairing, a matured front-row (Numia, Aumua, Lomax, are been now peaking in terms of their development). There's a chunk of guys from the 2022 Lion's squad who are also entering the prime, such as Aumua, Kirifi, Proctor, Delany, etc.. their starting front-row is the strongest it's been in many years, perhaps decades even.
The rebuilding/excuse filled years are over, they have the squad to beat anyone, Hurricanes have to deliver on their potential over the next 5 weeks, 1 win (minimum) vs Blues/Chiefs/Crusaders & a Semi-Final appearance and Holland can leave with respect, anything less and his tenure as head coach will be remembered as one of disappointment and missed opportunity.
Agree with all that except one thing not mentioned. A lack of 10. At least they might have fixed that if Cameron had stayed up, but his injury (and Love's) left them weak in the wrong spot.
I guess that's why some teams hoard 10s.Certainly doesn't help, but not saying Cameron and Loves injuries are excuse or reasons though. But on 10's I reckon that young Godfey who has only reall played 15a couple of times has some real potential. I was blown away when he came on in preseason against Crusaders(posted as such on here) at 10, he looked like he the kind of player I like at 10 seemed to have time with ball in hand and didn't look rushed.
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I agree re: the sentiment on Morgan. His ceiling is probably not that much higher than where he is now. But he definitely gives 100% and I think wears the jersey with pride.
I'm not sold on Love as a 10, yet. He is amazing at 15. As we know some 15s convert well to 10s (Larkham...) so hopefully down the track he'll get there.
Godfrey has been lightning, and could be the best option in the short term (but he's gone to the 20's right?)
A shame we lost Cameron. Lots of talent to pick from but he was the steady 10 this team needs to supplement the young 10s.
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@foobaNZ add in the rise of Roigard and the pending immergence of Riley Higgins and the Canes have some sound playmakers to build backline around. It's just a case of fitting everyone onto the park when you add in Barrett, Proctor, Sullivan, Naholo etc aswell.
The incoming coach is going to have a squad that's primed for success. Unlike other teams the Hurricanes are probably going to be the least effected by the post WC exodus so I expect us to be right up there next year.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@foobaNZ add in the rise of Roigard and the pending immergence of Riley Higgins and the Canes have some sound playmakers to build backline around. It's just a case of fitting everyone onto the park when you add in Barrett, Proctor, Sullivan, Naholo etc aswell.
The incoming coach is going to have a squad that's primed for success. Unlike other teams the Hurricanes are probably going to be the least effected by the post WC exodus so I expect us to be right up there next year.
I tend to agree with you there. Some other teams are going to be heavily impacted.
We saw on Friday what the Chiefs without Cane, BBBR and Weber looked like and they dropped a notch in leadership and hardness.
Saders will have a coaching regime change and be rebuilding a 9/10 combo.
Blues will need to decide on a 10. -
@Canes4life but we both know we'll pick a dud coach and squander it. Lol
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@mikey07 said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:
@mikedogz Weird I don’t think he’s been playing for any Wellington teams and you think if he was with the Canes they would release him to play club rugby.
He just became a dad but I don't think it would have taken him out of too many games.
