Chiefs 2017
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Probably time to start up the squad threads as signing news starts filtering in...
I have taken the Wiki list as a starter. Please add info as it comes to hand
PROPS
Gone:
Pauliasi Manu (to Blues)
Confirmed:
Kane Hames
Nepo Laulala
Atunaisa Moli
2016 others
Siegfried Fisiihoi (wider training group)
Mitchell Graham
Siate Tokolahi
Hiroshi YamashitaHOOKERS
Gone:
Rhys Marshall (to Ireland Munster)
Confirmed:
Hika Elliot
Nathan HarrisLOCK
Confirmed:
Michael Allardice
Dominic Bird
Brodie Retallick
2016 Others
James Tucker (wider training group)LOOSE FORWARDS
Confirmed
Johan Bardoul
Sam Cane
Mitchell Karpik
2016 Others
Lachlan Boshier
Sam Cane
Sam Henwood
Mitchell Karpik
Tevita Koloamatangi
Liam Messam
Tom Sanders
Taleni SeuN8
Gone
Ma'ama Vaipulu (to France Castres)
Confirmed
none
2016 Others
Mitchell Brown (short-term)
Michael LeitchHALFBACK
Gone
Augustine Pulu (to Blues)
Confirmed
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Brad Weber
2016 Others
Kayne Hammington (short-term)FIRST FIVE
Gone
None
Confirmed
Aaron Cruden
2016 Others
Stephen DonaldMIDFIELD
Gone
Seta Tamanivalu (to Crusaders)
Substituted off Sonny Bill Williams (to Blues)
Confirmed
Anton Lienert-Brown
Charlie Ngatai
2016 Others
Sam Vaka (wider training group)OUTSIDE BACKS
Gone
Andrew Horrell (to Japan Coca-Cola Red Sparks)
Confirmed
Glen Fisiiahi
James Lowe
Toni Pulu
Tim Nanai-Williams
Damian McKenzie
2016 Others
Shaun Stevenson (wider training group)
Chase Tiatia (did not play)
Latu Vaeno (wider training group)
Sam McNicol -
I'm hoping the Chiefs find a spot for Sevu Reece. He's been all class for Waikato.And I'd like to see Faiva and Douglas at least get WTG spots.
The TNW signing depends entirely on how they use him. Outside backs = good. Centres = shit.
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Has the TNW signing be confirmed? I thought the media were just expecting him to re-sign? Can't find it on Chiefs website.
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You'd think they'd be looking at Joe Tupe for 8/6.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2017:
Has the TNW signing be confirmed? I thought the media were just expecting him to re-sign? Can't find it on Chiefs website.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/85378694
You are correct. The headline of the article says he has re-signed but the first line says it is only 'believed'
I'll leave him in there at the moment though as these rumours are usually true if they have gone so far as to make it to print.
Messam returning is still just a rumour as far as I know.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2017:
Messam returning is still just a rumour as far as I know.
It was always signalled that Messam would return after his stint in Japan so I'd say that is more probable than possible.
As for the 3rd halfback, Pele Cowley was actually in the squad as Pulu's replacement before Hammington. Cowley then got injured himself.
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Sam Cane is in there twice?
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@Crucial Makes sense. He'll have a big workload next year, twice the work of some lesser players.
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johan has gone to japan
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@Cpt-Kumera said in Chiefs 2017:
johan has gone to japan
Is it an 'off-season' thing though? As far as I can tell he is still contracted to the Chiefs.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2017:
@Cpt-Kumera said in Chiefs 2017:
johan has gone to japan
Is it an 'off-season' thing though? As far as I can tell he is still contracted to the Chiefs.
Yes, signed through to 2017.
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Wow! Didn't realise SBW had gone to the Blues
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@Hooroo said in Chiefs 2017:
Wow! Didn't realise SBW had gone to the Blues
Just hand them the title now I reckon. After that I have it on good authority that SBW is heading to the Canes then the Highlanders to become the only player to grace all five franchises with his presence.
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Hammington has signed with the Highlanders. He has a good relationship with Rennie so you'd think he was given the heads up on plans for a third halfback.
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They need a third hooker. Faiva is the probable one but I like the young Misa who is an outstanding off the bench option. Reilly (Bay of Plenty) has a good season too.
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@cgrant said in Chiefs 2017:
They need a third hooker. Faiva is the probable one but I like the young Misa who is an outstanding off the bench option. Reilly (Bay of Plenty) has a good season too.
Given that is is unlikely they will have a big name third hooker I would say the third spot will be a WTG one (and probably one other in the training squad as well). They will probably be looking at potential and succession planning.
These were the players named in the Development squad early in the year
Joseph Royal (BOP)
Epalahame Faiva (W)
Steven Misa (W) -
Messam and TNW are confirmed.
http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/266-two-of-the-chiefs-favourite-sons-returning-home
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Good news. Are they still playing in Japan or will they play in the NPC next year too? Messam's only 15 caps away from 100 Waikato caps, it'd be cool to see him reach it.
Still hoping like hell Rennie keeps TNW away from the midfield.
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@Bovidae That's indeed good news! The media release doesn't say for how long TNW has re-committed to the Chiefs, but Messam has signed for two years. In the past, if I remember it correctly, NZR was not prepared to re-sign NZ players if they - again - wanted stints overseas (particularly Japan) during the SR off-season. I'm thinking of Tamati Ellison. If that's correct, then it's likely he'll play for Waikato again? That's assuming he'll probably not get an AB call-up (except in case of many injuries).
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@Unco I'd say Messam is back for good so would be available for Waikato too. A loose forward combo of Messam, Cane and Leitch will be handy with Sanders, Seu, Bardoul, Karpik, Boshier as backups.
For TNW, the only starting position available to him would be right wing fighting with Pulu. He could be used as a third option in the midfield in a match-day 23.
My starting backline would be: TKB-Cruden-Lowe-Ngatai-ALB-TNW/Pulu-DMac.
We'll see who else is in the squad next week.
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Hard to imagine TNW not getting time in midfield... we're looking pretty light there.
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McNicol has developped very well this season so he could be the starter on the right wing.
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Glad Hames and Harris have re-signed. After having watched the Otago=Harbour final, what about Ruru for third halfback? He may put some pressure on the incumbents..
Also is Ngatai fit? Will his head problems continue? Would love to have him back in midfield, but signs are not great.
Not really seen anything f Joe Tupe here, but if others think he is worth it - hope the Chiefs sign him up. -
With Seta Tamanivalu having left for the Crusaders, Andrew Horrell having gone to Japan and not confirmed to be returning, and Charlie Ngatai still under a cloud due to concussion, the midfield looms as a spot for Nanai-Williams, but his versatility will be a real asset for Rennie.
"Tim's a top man who brings experience and leadership," Rennie said. "His speed and outstanding skill set gives him the flexibility to play anywhere in the backline, a huge asset in such a demanding campaign -
The Chiefs have signed Northland fullback Solomon Alaimalo,who can also play wing and centre,he was offered a WTS with the Blues,but has settled on a full contract with the chiefs
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@Steven-Harris they were keen on him prior to the MItre 10 Cup didnt they?
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@taniwharugby I only watched 40 mins of Northland this year (the 1st half vs Waikato) so know nothing about him. He looks similar in stature to Stevenson. What's his background?
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@Steven-Harris I'm trying to keep a list of signings with references. Do you have an (online) source for this news?
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He looked good like a good attacking player for the first few weeks of the NPC. In the Taniwha forum there was plenty of people talking him up at that stage.
Unfortunately his form dropped away for the rest of the season..I'm surprised he has got a full contract. Seems like a guy who was on the edge of non-selection/WTG
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@Bovidae I think he played age group stuff for Canterbury a couple of seasons back as well as 7s for them.
He did start very well this season, but was almost like he lost confidence and didnt back himself to take on the defence or beat a man despite appearing to have very good pace.
Has the raw the ingredients.
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Seems like a strange decision then, especially if Stevenson isn't offered a full contract for 2017. Rennie and co did pick a few surprises this year.
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yeah is somewhat surprising he has a full contract, which looks like it is based on potential, as I understand the Chiefs were looking at him before the Mitre 10 season kicked off.
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@Duluth sorry,no online information,just purely a very good source ,Sean Stephenson has signed with North Harbour for the 2017 Mitre 10 cup season,so it would not surprise me if he has signed with the Blues,also Lolagi Visinia does not have a contract.
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@Steven-Harris Stevenson will still be with the Chiefs for 2017 according to the newspaper article reporting his move back to NH.
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@Bovidae,thanks for that update,be really intersting to see how much game time Stephenson gets at fullback,given Tim Nani Williams has resigned,along with the option of Damien McKenzie.
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Any thought being given to Michael Little?
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@booboo Would be handy backup for any side. I rate the guy but unfortunately most sides have their midfields sorted.
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The Chiefs will need another midfielder or two. It will depend on whether Vaka and Donald are offered contracts again.
Little is quite small but he plays above his weight (to use a horrible cliche). Has Vaega got a Blues contract for 2017? He could be another option.
