Crusaders v Chiefs
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@bobily2 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Ioane
Agree. I reckon he did alright on the weekend. His passing is pretty sweet at times.
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Unless some of the Chiefs injured players (Finau, Brown) are available this week I don't see any changes in the forward pack, or the 9-10-12 combo. There isn't any alternatives in the forwards. I am expecting ALB to start at centre, but the fun starts in guessing the outside backs. I'd like to see (11) ENS, (14) Lowe, (15) Stevenson. The latter gives you the best kicking option from deep, and is generally safe under the high ball with his height. McMillan will probably go back to Narawa though.
In the reserves, maybe Thompson gets a run but the rest to stay the same. My preference is to use Lowe as the backup centre so that leaves Gatland and Narawa, and avoids putting Ioane/Nankivell/Tupaea on the wing, as has happened in the past.
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@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@bobily2 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Ioane
Agree. I reckon he did alright on the weekend. His passing is pretty sweet at times.
I thought he was only adequate. But would still start him
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I noted in another thread that Ioane needs to work on his touchfinders. Way too often he kicks the skin off the ball way into the stands yet gains 15/20 metres. Is he not confident in direction?
I have learned to accept the theory on overkicking as the argument goes that you use one technique and don't adjust for distance (goes for goalkicking as well) but it is still annoying to see only half the distance down the line gained due to direction.
As for the back three McMillan said at the start of the season that positions were unsettledand everyone would get a chance to lock one down. I think ENS put his hand up on the weekend so that may be one less spot to look at. Tiatia the opposite so the call will be between Narawa and Stevenson.
I guess it comes down to the gameplan and the opposition. Crusaders pay territory so the more often you can get the balldown their end the better and Stevenson has the better boot by far. -
@bovidae said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Unless some of the Chiefs injured players (Finau, Brown) are available this week I don't see any changes in the forward pack, or the 9-10-12 combo. There isn't any alternatives in the forwards. I am expecting ALB to start at centre, but the fun starts in guessing the outside backs. I'd like to see (11) ENS, (14) Lowe, (15) Stevenson. The latter gives you the best kicking option from deep, and is generally safe under the high ball with his height. McMillan will probably go back to Narawa though.
In the reserves, maybe Thompson gets a run but the rest to stay the same. My preference is to use Lowe as the backup centre so that leaves Gatland and Narawa, and avoids putting Ioane/Nankivell/Tupaea on the wing, as has happened in the past.
I reckon you are bang assuming we don't have Finau or Jacobson back. Personally though, I think they should give Thompson a run - but perhaps not this week.
After the weekend, our wingers should be ENS and Lowe, so we should see whether Stevenson can handle FB or could see whether ENS can handle it. Either way, that looks like our best back three.
If Trask is back, I think he's a much better option than Gatland - personally if Gats can't make his kicks, I don't see what he brings to the table with respect to our game plan. I still don't really understand why we signed him but I'm resigned to him being on the bench. If so, we need some other help there - I'd be tempted to bring Tupaea off the bench and start ALB and Nankivell, as we could use some punch off the bench. I don't see why we need to sub a winger and if we had Trask back, we could move Stevenson and use Trask at 15 anyway.
All of this btw and I still expect us to lose by 15 - 20 points. Saders will have all their best players out, and be looking to make up for the poor performance last week, and will be at home.
I can't see us getting close.
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Nah, the Chiefs are the team to beat I reckon. Seem strong in all departments.
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@bovidae said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@gt12 I read that Jacobson is out for 3-4 weeks with his knee injury. Trask is one of a few players who are returning from injury/surgery, so no idea when he returns. Ideally you don't want specialist 1st 5 on the bench.
You have to feel for Jacobson, that guy has no luck.
Trask to the bench would allow us to keep Joane on if he is playing well. Later in the year, I wonder if we'll see Reihana?
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@old-samurai-jack said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Nah, the Chiefs are the team to beat I reckon. Seem strong in all departments.
Chiefs often cause problems for the Crusaders and I see no reason why it will be different on the weekend. They have a good chance.
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@old-samurai-jack said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Nah, the Chiefs are the team to beat I reckon. Seem strong in all departments.
lol you Cantabs are trying too hard here.
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Outside of Jack Goodhue’s ongoing unavailability (he’s due back from his knee injury late April), and questions regarding prop Oli Jager (calf), Ryan confirmed they had a healthy squad -
@mariner4life Nah.... struggling to see where Crusaders have any dominance. Certainly not in the tight 5, definitely not in the midfield or loosies..... Coaching is good on both sides.... Nope! Chiefs definitely take this one!
In all seriousness, I think the Chiefs are the team to beat. I dislike their supporters esp. on the fern, complete tossers, but reckon they are the team to beat and will comprehensively beat the Blues if they meet again. -
@old-samurai-jack The Crusaders have won 5 titles in a row and somehow the Chiefs are the team to beat?
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Lol how are the Chiefs the team to beat? The Crusaders have made a perfect start to the year, whereas the Chiefs let a win slip against the Blues, plus they have Tiatia at fullback.
