Chiefs 2019
-
Looking at discussions about next season spread over different threads, it seems time to start a new thread about next season's Chiefs squad.
- Below, I've started with the 2018 Chiefs squad that was named on 1 Nov 2017.
- In italics, I have added the players that also played for the Chiefs in 2018, despite not being named in the initial squad.
- Between brackets are the number of games played this season (stats: Fox Sports).
- In bold are the players of which I know for sure that they are signed through to next season (obviously, this list may/will not be complete because the duration of contracts isn't always published. Some signings aren't even published).
- Strikethrough: players, who are known to be leaving.
.
Some of the questions now are:
1 In which positions do the Chiefs need to recruit more players.
2 Who of the players of the initial 2018 squad would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
3 Who of the players that played in 2018, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
4 Which other player, who hasn't played for the Chiefs in 2018, would be on your wish list?
5 Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Chiefs in 2018, don't you want to be signed?.
PROP
Ross (7)
Moli (1)
Hames -
Graham -
N Laulala (2)
Ta'avao (16)
Tu’inukuafe (15)
Thwaites (11)
Prattley (9)
Kautai (1)HOOKER
Polwart (13)
Harris (12)
Taukei'aho (7)LOCK
Retallick (12)
Bird(1)
F Hoeata -
Allardice (11)LOOSE FORWARD/LOCK
Ardron (10)LOOSE FORWARD
Boshier (10)
Messam(16)
L Jacobson (13)
Brown (3)
Karpik (5)
Cane (10)
Seu (5)
Sowakula (7)
Parete (8)
Matich(2)HALFBACK
Weber (14)
Taumateine (2)
Tahuriorangi (16)FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH
D McKenzie (14)
M McKenzie (11)
Falcon (3)MIDFIELD
Nankivell (5)
A Lienert-Brown (14)
Ngatai(11)
Fa'auli(12)
Verney -MIDFIELD/OUTSIDE BACK
Nanai-Williams-
Wainui (13)OUTSIDE BACK
L Aumua -
McNicol -
Stevenson (8)
Alaimalo (16)
Pulu (11)
O'Donnell (2)
Sullivan(1)
L Laulala(1)(Please, let me know if you're sure I've missed a signing and I'll correct it in the list above.)
-
I'll give my thoughts without any inside knowledge.
Props:
Cooper said the Chiefs will be doing everything they can to keep Tu’inukuafe so I think he will be a straight swap for Graham, who hasn't played for them in 2 seasons due to his unfortunate injury. Then it becomes interesting, and could depend on where they see Moli playing (LH or TH, or both), and Hames' health. Prattley and Twaites are injury replacements only so won't be part of the 2019 squad. What this season has shown is that injuries can strike at any time, often in one position, so you are better to have extra cover in the wider squad.I'd select 7 props. LHs (Hames, Ross and Tu’inukuafe), THs (Laulala, Kautai, Ta'avao) and LH/TH (Moli).
Hookers:
The same three players.Locks:
McWhannell for Bird. Ardron, Seu and Brown can provide cover. Using Jacobson and Parete as locks wasn't ideal. I presume that there will be restrictions on BBBR's gametime in a RWC year so they'll need options.Loose forwards:
Maybe no direct replacement for Messam to allow for an extra prop. Seu, Brown and Jacobson have all played or can play at no.8. If Cooper and co were to select another loose forward then Parete would probably be at the front of the queue as a no.8/utility forward.Halfbacks and 1st 5s:
The same 6 players. If we can find another quality 1st 5 for MMac, all the better, but having a limited more experienced player might be sensible with Falcon still green.Midfield:
Wainui is probably Ngatai's replacement and Sullivan could be the replacement for TNW. Us Chiefs' fans will want to know that Verney and Aumua are more than just a name, if signed for more than the 2018 season.Outside backs:
Firstly, Alaimalo re-signed for another 3 years. Stevenson also needs to be signed ASAP, and I expect Pulu to re-sign too. As I mentioned in the other thread, McNicol's continual concussion issues might force him to retire.So the Chiefs could still be looking for at least another midfield back (preferrably a 2nd 5) and a winger, unless they carry one less back in the squad. Luteru Laulala looks more comfortable at fullback but can cover 1st 5 so is an option in the squad. Another player to consider is Nigel Ah Wong. He has previous SR experience, was in the Chiefs Dev team, and can provide wing/centre cover.
-
Verney is playing for Waikato this year, isn't he?
-
Shit, outside of the props things are looking a bit rough next year.
Hopefully some midfielders come through in the NPC or the Chiefs can poach a seasoned player from one of the other franchises - what about Thompson or Bucky from the Highlanders ....
-
@tim Northland.
-
I knew if I held off, you'd start this thread and do half the hard work for us. Thanks
-
@nepia said in Chiefs 2019:
Shit, outside of the props things are looking a bit rough next year.
Hopefully some midfielders come through in the NPC or the Chiefs can poach a seasoned player from one of the other franchises - what about Thompson or Bucky from the Highlanders ....
How about, no.
-
Nonu to the Chiefs?
We've had the imitator so why not the real thing?
-
Fuck you for getting me hoping.
-
These stories don't just appear out of nowhere so maybe there is hope.
-
I can neither confirm nor deny i will be fucking Monica Belucci this weekend
-
I think there's a good chance he'll still be good enough for that level.
I don't get the impression he's the 'mentor' type though?
-
I’d prefer Michael little to an aging Nonu at 12.
Unbelievable that no NZ teams signed him this season.
-
so who was the last player who came back from the NH as good as they were or better than before they left.
Surely the last few seasons in NZ highlighted a couple of things about Nonu; in that it is usually the ABs that get the best out of him, and the other is that he is a Hurricane, not a Blue or Highlander (or Chief if that is where he is going now)
I guess the other thing you want from a returnign AB is one to be a mentor for those around him, given what we have heard of Nonu at super rugby level, is he the right person for that, or will he have changed significantly?
I'd much prefer to retain the impression I have of him in his last season for the ABs where he signed off as one of our greats.
-
Departing: Dominic Bird (Racing 92), Liam Messam (Toulon), Johnny Fa'auli (Toshiba), Charlie Ngatai (Lyon), Tim Nanai-Williams (Clermont).
Staying: Kane Hames, Sefo Kautai, Nathan Harris, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Tyler Ardron, Lachlan Boshier, Mitch Karpik, Jonathan Taumateine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Sam McNicol (all 2019), Liam Polwart, Alex Nankivell, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sean Wainui (all 2020), Sam Cane, Damian McKenzie, Solomon Alaimalo (all 2021).
Off contract: Mitchell Graham, Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Fin Hoeata, Marty McKenzie, Regan Verney, Levi Aumua, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson.
Weren't in 38-man contracted squad but got game time: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Jeff Thwaites, Matt Matich, Pita Gus Sowakula, Declan O'Donnell, Bailyn Sullivan, Luteru Laulala.
-
Shit - not much room to make improvements.
Keep Karl T and Stevenson for sure. Or, try to carry 7 and secure them all as mentioned by @Bovidae
We need a lock - time to go hunt in Canterbury again.
Is McNicol going to be able to play? Might be time for him to get cut, in which case I'd chase Little (or Nonu!) and another midfielder/wing.
-
im happy where we are at. We need to stock up on wingers and midfield backs. So are pleased that some of them arnt signed for next year.Dont know if we can keep all our props.
for me re sign Taukei'aho
hoeata
Pulu
Stevenson
Tu'inukuafe
Ta'avao
SullivanRoss unlucky and would be a great pickup for some one else
-
Is Aaron Goile reading the Fern? That list of players looks remarkably like mine in the first post of this thread. He forgot only one name.
-
@stargazer It's more than likely.
It's been noted by some of the media people who used to post here that a lot of media people do read here.
So when you're busy saying how much you hate a particular commentator, be aware that they might read about it!
-
@chris-b Ha, it won't hurt those commentators to read some constructive feedback! :smiling_face_with_open_mouth:
-
@chris-b said in Chiefs 2019:
@stargazer It's more than likely.
It's been noted by some of the media people who used to post here that a lot of media people do read here.
So when you're busy saying how much you hate a particular commentator, be aware that they might read about it!
Marshall? you suck. TJ? You Suck. Smithy? You suck.
Sumo you're cool though.
-
@chris-b Commentators, please stop telling me what school a kid went to. Especially if he was a poach.
-
Aidan Ross must be signed. He was outstanding before his injury. He is a FAB IMO.
-
@chester-draws said in Chiefs 2019:
@chris-b Commentators, please stop telling me what school a kid went to. Especially if he was a poach.
…...and please, when someone scores a short range try the words 'unstoppable from that close' should only be used when someone genuinely is unstoppable from that close. (hint: think about how next time they try it someone might stop them)
-
@cgrant
agree but for that to happen either 7 props or hames/moli might have to be moved on -
I can see him move to the Crusaders where there is a need to replace Wyatt Crockett.
-
@cgrant who wouldn't want to move to the Saders? I know you're back up to Moody but fuck how good will you look
-
@booboo Might not stay a back-up to Moody. It all depends on whether Moody wants to earn some coin in Europe or Japan after the RWC. He's 32 by then and he has already had some injury concerns. Perry will also be 32 by then.
-
@booboo They make the shittest players look like world beaters (Bryn Hall, George Bridge, Heiden Bedwell Curtis etc.) so yes you'd jump at the chance to go there.
-
@african-monkey said in Chiefs 2019:
@booboo They make the shittest players look like world beaters (Bryn Hall, George Bridge, Heiden Bedwell Curtis etc.) so yes you'd jump at the chance to go there.
Exactly
-
Great teams will make honest players look good and good players look great. Crap teams will have the opposite effect.
That of course being the case, Chiefs fans had better be mindful of who they sign up for next season eg look for Hamish Dalziel to make a big impression for Canterbury but if signed by the Chiefs, look out.
-
@shark said in Chiefs 2019:
Great teams will make honest players look good and good players look great. Crap teams will have the opposite effect.
That of course being the case, Chiefs fans had better be mindful of who they sign up for next season eg look for Hamish Dalziel to make a big impression for Canterbury but if signed by the Chiefs, look out.
so, if i am reading this right, the Chiefs should have more players in the All Blacks?
-
From Chiefs Facebook:
We are pleased to announce that props Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao have re-signed with the Gallagher Chiefs.
It is a great boost to the front row with Ross and Ta’avao signing on until 2021 and 2020 respectively.
-
@mikedogz Does that mean they have four tighthead props for 2019, or is Moli switching to loosehead?
-
With Tu'inukuafe now with the Blues, the Chiefs prop stocks are : Graham, Hames, Ross, Laulala, Ta'avao and Moli. Is Kautai signed ?
-
-
So it looks like Sam McNicol won't be in the Chiefs squad next season.
-
@stargazer Sheesh that's rough. Medically cleared but not cleared. Good to see he's involved with the Magpies still this year even though he's not playing.
-
@nepia said in Chiefs 2019:
@stargazer Sheesh that's rough. Medically cleared but not cleared. Good to see he's involved with the Magpies still this year even though he's not playing.
I think the reporting there may be a little mangled as far as the Chiefs 2019 goes.
Sounds to me like they have taken the HB quote that he won't be playing until ITM 2019 as meaning he won't be playing Super as well.
Makes much more sense if you think he has been given a full year to recuperate and work his way back under stronger medical/conditioning guidance at a pro level than he will get at provincial level.Pretty sensible approach really. If his situation happened to a kid of mine I would be advising him to pack it in. If the professionals are telling him that there will be no long term damage as long as he allows plenty of healing time and close monitoring then good on him for sticking it out.
-
McNicol was in a really bad way after the Suva concussion. I doubt he'll be risked in the 2019 super rugby comp.
Need to sign Stevenson ASAP and likely Sullivan and Nanai-Seturo as outside back cover.
@cgrant Kautai is signed for next year. Graham is off contract and given he isn't going to be playing for Taranaki he should be the prop to miss out. Moli will be used more as a LH, as per the AB coaches wishes.
