Chiefs 2025
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@Crazy-Horse he was great at NPC level on the wing and at 7. Right now he'd be a handy player on a 6/2 bench. Defs has some growing to do physically as he's still young.
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@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2025:
@Crazy-Horse he was great at NPC level on the wing and at 7. Right now he'd be a handy player on a 6/2 bench. Defs has some growing to do physically as he's still young.
Cheers. I don't recall him playing 7 in the NPC, but then again I didn't see every game.
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This was the NPC match where Mathis started to make headlines.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2025:
@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2025:
@Crazy-Horse he was great at NPC level on the wing and at 7. Right now he'd be a handy player on a 6/2 bench. Defs has some growing to do physically as he's still young.
Cheers. I don't recall him playing 7 in the NPC, but then again I didn't see every game.
A bit old school in that he is a very very mobile 7, but he's class and would be a weapon for a 6:2 bench.
180K views · 2.5K reactions | That's your openside flanker Waikato...
That's your openside flanker Waikato Rugby 😳 Oli Mathis does it all. 📺 Watch live on @skysportnz.
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Obviously talented in space, and runs like a gifted back, but is he any good at core 7 duties?
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@Crazy-Horse Is a Sky Sport YT video geo-blocked? It was the Waikato-Northland game, which looking at the FB thumbnail is the same game.
I've seen Mathis play 7 since he was a Y11 at school and he won his share of breakdown turnovers at 1st XV level. Hopefully he is in the NZ U20s for the WC in that position.
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Given the Chiefs have lacked a specialist 7 since Cane retired it would seem ridiculous to lose someone of the potential of Mathis to another franchise. Possibly just lending so he gets some experience in a SR franchise? But then why not give him that experience in the Chiefs?
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@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2025:
Obviously talented in space, and runs like a gifted back, but is he any good at core 7 duties?
He’s young but from what Ive seen he does well at the breakdown.
If you watch him at U20s he’s excellent so I’m pretty confident that he’ll go well at Super level.
My only concern is that he looks a bit like Messam to me - when I saw him as a high school player I was sure he’d be an AB and a great one. It took him time though (and I don’t think we’d call him ‘great’ although he is a Chiefs legend) because he was always juggling sevens and couldn’t get clarity is what he was at 15s. That’s my fear for Mathis and why I was actually against him going to 7s.
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Dyer has been incredibly reliable but McKenzie has definitely been the key player for the Chiefs.
Carter is really the only option for best debutant - only five players have debuted for the Chiefs is year, and Carter is the only 'rookie' of the lot. Even if it includes players new to the Chiefs, Brodie McAlister is the only other player that would be in contention.
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The full list of award winners.
Gallagher Chiefs Celebrate Season with 2025 Chiefs Rugby Club Awards - Chiefs
Don’t miss the Gallagher Chiefs' final home game of the regular season as they take on Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato. Expect live music, giveaways, and the loudest crowd of 2025. Tickets selling fast!
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Ollie Norris has put on 6 kg since last year. He is now 130 kg.
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I'd much prefer Norris than Fusitua. That game against the Force I think it was, he was fantastic.
I'd also prefer Numia over Fusitua, he hasn't been at his best this year but his scrummaging is still solid and his mobility is something that would be ideal for the ABs off the bench.
The Waikato Times
