Blues v Chiefs
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Looks really mobile with that backrow and what a strong bench they have!
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Any team that can bring the best back in World Rugby off the bench is nailed on favourites...
Not a bad side. Karpik looked out of his depth at this level last year, so hopefully he's got another gear to go to. I still can't believe Wainui gets starts.
Who the hell is the 10?
Otherwise, decent side, should get to within a couple of scores of the early season favourites.
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@Hooroo said in Blues v Chiefs:
Is ALB coming back from Injury? Slightly surprised Weber isn't starting. Stoked to see DMac Back!!
Are we surprised Cane is starting at 8?? (Or is it once again I am behind in the rugby news over summer)
nah, Cane at 8 is news to me too. We only seem to build opensides in this country, so i guess we have to shoehorn them in everywhere.
DMac being back is cause for a little smile.
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@mariner4life said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Hooroo said in Blues v Chiefs:
Is ALB coming back from Injury? Slightly surprised Weber isn't starting. Stoked to see DMac Back!!
Are we surprised Cane is starting at 8?? (Or is it once again I am behind in the rugby news over summer)
nah, Cane at 8 is news to me too. We only seem to build opensides in this country, so i guess we have to shoehorn them in everywhere.
DMac being back is cause for a little smile.
Is the 10 an import outside Chiefs Country or does he play for BoP/Waikato/Taranaki?
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@mariner4life said in Blues v Chiefs:
Who the hell is the 10?
Very promising youngster - plays for BOP. Has played more fullback than 10 from what i've seen.
Excited to see Tupaea in action too.
That is a handy Chiefs bench.
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Remember that there are the All Blacks protocols. So ABs are only allowed 180mins over the first 3 games and there are also individual restrictions too
Trask had a really good season with BOP in the Mitre 10 Cup so really looking forward to seeing how he goes
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@Hooroo said in Blues v Chiefs:
Is ALB coming back from Injury? Slightly surprised Weber isn't starting. Stoked to see DMac Back!!
Are we surprised Cane is starting at 8?? (Or is it once again I am behind in the rugby news over summer)
I'm surprised.
He will probably only play part of the game as well which will see Sowakula on.
Watch out for the second half with Weber, Cruden, ALB coming on.
Here's the Chiefs page
*Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Warren Gatland has named his side to face the Blues in their opening game of the 2020 Investec Super Rugby season at the earlier kick-off time of 7.05pm at Eden Park.
The selected twenty-three will see three debutants in Waikato centre Quinn Tupaea and Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Kaleb Trask, named in the starting fifteen and Wellington lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi hoping to debut off the bench.
The front row will feature loose head prop Aidan Ross pack down alongside tighthead All Black prop Nepo Laulala and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho. Tyler Ardron and Mitchell Brown will be the starting locking duo with debutant Ah Kuoi covering on the bench. In the loose forwards Lachlan Boshier and Mitchell Karpik will be at six and seven respectively, with Gallagher Chiefs Captain Sam Cane packing down the scrum at number eight.
In the backs, halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will combine with 21-year-old Trask at ten. In the midfield Alex Nankivell will don the number 12 jersey, with Tupaea named at centre. A familiar back three will start with Solomon Alaimalo on the left wing and Sean Wainui on the right and crafty full back Damian McKenzie to complete an exciting backline.
Gallagher Chiefs rookie hooker Bradley Slater will be joined by an experienced bench of props in All Blacks Atu Moli and Angus Ta’avao. Pita Gus Sowakula will provide loose forward cover. Backline cover will feature a ton of experience in All Black Brad Weber, returning first five-eighth Aaron Cruden and All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown.*
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@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:
Remember that there are the All Blacks protocols. So ABs are only allowed 180mins over the first 3 games and there are also individual restrictions too
Trask had a really good season with BOP in the Mitre 10 Cup so really looking forward to seeing how he goes
which shows how much NPC i got to watch, given he plays for BOP and i didn't even know that.
I am actually pretty ashamed of myself for that.
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@KiwiMurph With Dan Hollinshead injury last year Trask got plenty of game time at 10
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@mariner4life said in Blues v Chiefs:
@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:
Remember that there are the All Blacks protocols. So ABs are only allowed 180mins over the first 3 games and there are also individual restrictions too
Trask had a really good season with BOP in the Mitre 10 Cup so really looking forward to seeing how he goes
which shows how much NPC i got to watch, given he plays for BOP and i didn't even know that.
I am actually pretty ashamed of myself for that.
I wouldn't have a clue who the Waikato first five is
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Do you know where Nathan Harris is??
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@Crucial said in Blues v Chiefs:
Is Cane at 8 part of a plan for the ABs?
I thought Ardie at 8 would be the go to if no one else looked the goods to replace Read, but if the style changes it could be Ardie at 7 with a more ranging licence and Cane in close.
and the January award for "reading far too much in to something happening in January" goes to...
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Hmmm, this line-up doesn't give me much confidence in a Chiefs' win. ABs protocols aside, I don't see the benefit of starting Cane at 8. And why start Trask on debut, and not Cruden?
Is Allardice injured? I can see that as the only reason for Ardron starting at lock, instead of 8.
I like 11-13, 15.
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@Hooroo said in Blues v Chiefs:
@mariner4life said in Blues v Chiefs:
@DrivingMaul said in Blues v Chiefs:
Remember that there are the All Blacks protocols. So ABs are only allowed 180mins over the first 3 games and there are also individual restrictions too
Trask had a really good season with BOP in the Mitre 10 Cup so really looking forward to seeing how he goes
which shows how much NPC i got to watch, given he plays for BOP and i didn't even know that.
I am actually pretty ashamed of myself for that.
I wouldn't have a clue who the Waikato first five is
Fletcher Smith, with Rivez Reihana as his back-up?
