Highlanders vs Chiefs
-
The Gallagher Chiefs team to take on the Highlanders is:
- Karl Tu’inukuafe (12)
- Liam Polwart (17)
- Angus Ta’avao (13)
- Michael Allardice (30)
- Tyler Ardron (8)
- Luke Jacobson (10)
- Sam Cane (c) (103)
- Liam Messam (175)
- Brad Weber (53)
- Damian McKenzie (62)
- Sean Wainui (11)
- Charlie Ngatai (52)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (52)
- Toni Pulu (30)
- Solomon Alaimalo (22)
RESERVES:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (6)
17. Sam Prattley (6)
18. Jeff Thwaites (9)
19. Jesse Parete (5)
20. Mitch Karpik (10)
21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (13)
22. Marty McKenzie (15)
23. Shaun Stevenson (29) -
Sean Wainui-Cooper starting again I see. Other than that decent team considering and it's the correct midfield again.
-
WTF did Stevenson do to Cooper? He’s ripe for pick up by another franchise, as he was signed to be our starting 15. Why play Alaimalo there when he’s been outstanding at 11?
-
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
-
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Ainley, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Richard Buckman. -
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
-
Agreed with postings here. Stevenson should be at fullback and Alaimalo on wing over Wainui. Shame that neither Boshier nor Kautai are back yet. Hoped to see Levi Aumua in reserves too. Otherwise, seems best possible team is starting.
-
From my understanding kautai and Aumua are available. Just that kautai isn’t getting selected and I heard whispers that Aumua has struggled with the step up to super rugby level training standards the whole year. He was named to play in that Tasman game the other day.
-
I can't understand the hype over Levi Aumua by some Ferners. He did not shine a lot during the Mitre 10 Cup and looks like a journeyman at best. But I hope I am wrong.
The Highlanders should win this one. They field a very strong team with two All Blacks on the bench. At scrum time, the duel between Tu'inukuafe and Tokolahi will be very interesting. -
@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
Wainui plays for Taranaki; Stevenson doesn't.
-
What is frustrating about this is Stevenson is an original member of the squad, Wainui-Cooper is a replacement who has stayed around and held a spot in his non preferred position. He's actually been playing ok, but Alaimalo and Stevenson just offer more in a back 3.
-
@footy01 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
From my understanding kautai and Aumua are available. Just that kautai isn’t getting selected
Kautai was meant to be on the bench for the Sharks game but was a late withdrawl with his back injury. I haven't seen his name in the Marist side in club rugby so maybe he is still having issues.
Aumua and Verney have been dud selections for whatever reason.
-
@stargazer said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@bovidae said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@gt12
I agree, but they have decided Alaimalo is their fullback. I'll be fucked off if Stevenson doesn't re-sign although the Blues aren't an attractive option.Good to see Cane back.
At least play him at 14 then, so he is selected at the level he deserves to play at, and gets a chance to be in front of the AB selectors. WTF is Cooper doing?
Wainui plays for Taranaki; Stevenson doesn't.
Fuck.
Thanks, but, fuck. He’ll never break in now.
Wainui on the bench is just his role too, covers midfield and wing.
-
@nepia said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
What is frustrating about this is Stevenson is an original member of the squad, Wainui-Cooper is a replacement who has stayed around and held a spot in his non preferred position. He's actually been playing ok, but Alaimalo and Stevenson just offer more in a back 3.
You'd have to think there were reasons seen in training that we aren't party to. Either that or Cooper sees more value in Stevenson being an impact player.
TBF though, I see Stevenson come on sometimes and 'out-flaky' DMac. He does some great things and some odd things.
The type of stuff that will iron out with more gametime, but maybe Cooper doesn't feel he can afford that from a starter. -
Yeah Stevenson reminds me of a slightly better Ambrose Curtis. I haven't seen him stake a claim and I reckon Wainui has actually been very good this season. So it strikes me as odd that people are up in arms over what appears to be a 60/40 decision in Wainui's favour.
-
Wainui had defensive and positional lapses on several occasions early in the season, costing tries. He seemed a bit slow to anticipate things on the wing and got flat-footed - leaving huge gaps. But, he has improved, and got better on attack. Stevenson can have suspect hands, but covers the ground very well and makes cover tackles, and does clearance kicks well. I felt that Alaimalo lost confidence mid-season, but has height to contest the aerial ball, and for finishing. I want to see the investment made in Stevenson as I feel he has the most potential of the 3, just ahead of Alaimalo.
The frustration comes from seeing original selections like Stevenson, Aumua and Kautai overlooked for replacements like Wainui and Prattley, while Fa'aulii and Sowakula seemed to get extended opportunities ahead of others. At least we are seeing continuity, and combinations being developed.
-
I've only managed to catch a few games so far this season, Rob Thompson has caught my eye, he's been playing well when I've watched the matches.
What up with Dan Pryor? Has he been injured?I should be able to watch the rest of the season now, looking forward to it
-
I would have liked to see Paripari Parkinson on the bench. He was impressive vs the French Barbarians. He should be fielded against more serious opposition (i.e The Chiefs) to test his qualities.
-
@talisker yeah Pryor has been injured (although played recently) and has also signed to Sanix BLues in Japan.
-
Alaimalo in!!
Player intro says Alaimalo is 196 cm tall, another giraffe!
Didn’t realize he was so tall.
-
ALB with a great little offload there.
I have to admit, if they can use him like that, Alaimalo will be very useful at 15. Just need to get Stevenson at 14.
-
Highlanders look like they’re still in NZ.
Chiefs in - very patient.
-
@gt12 yep every bit of it!
-
Fuck me, Ngatai takes 60 using the wind.
-
who's 'home' game is it?
-
Highlanders look asleep
-
I fucked up my tipping because I forgot this game was in Fiji!
-
-
Chiefs in again...
Jacobsen looks pretty good so far. It’s all Chiefs though, so that’s not surprising I guess.
What’s this wind worth?
-
TJ about Tu'inukuafe: "Rumour is that he might be heading south next year".
Where?????? There are three franchise south of the Chiefs. Which team needs a LH? Crusaders lose Crockzilla, what about the Canes and Landers?
-
@stargazer so the rumour of the CHiefs roster being full obviously didnt include Tu'inukuafe
-
That’s super harsh on Cane.
-
@taniwharugby said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
@stargazer so the rumour of the CHiefs roster being full obviously didnt include Tu'inukuafe
That’s a worry. He looks WC - hope Hames is coming back.
By the way, south could also be Canes...
-
@stargazer crockers is retiring
-
@gt12 That's what I said.
-
Highlanders on holiday. Shit house defence, players all over the show.
-
Mauger sounds like he's reading from a rugby buzzwords sheet.
-
How the fuck do Chiefs get the feed after a Wainui knock on?
-
@bones said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:
How the fuck do Chiefs get the feed after a Wainui knock on?
Didn't it hit him other than his hands and then the Highlander knocked it on.
A replay would have helped.
-
Arguably, it's better to finish 6th than 5th. No. 5 will likely play the Canes in the QFs, while no. 6 will take on the Tahs or Rebels in Oz.
Don't want to risk finishing 7th though, because then you'll have to travel far ...
