QF Chiefs v Blues
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@brodean said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@African-Monkey said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Duluth Funaki out of favour? Surprises me as I think Nock is a bit of a nothing selection. Funaki wasn't the greatest against MP, but I'd still have him ahead of Nock.
Nocks a good bench player. Overall I thought Funaki was better than Christie this season
Nock has his moments and is a good 3rd choice halfback to have in the squad, but I'd still take Funaki and Christie (in that order) if both are fit.
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@brodean said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
No Tupaea is interesting
Big game for Wrampling
He got an eye injury in the last game.
Yeah - Clayton seemed to be downplaying it post match so interesting he isn't named
Wrampling at 12 is putting him in a big spot
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@Landers92 said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
Corey Evans jumped Sullivan in the pecking order? Huge call
Sullivan has played bugger all for 2 years. I thought he was going to be the next Dan Carter when he was 20 but he's been unlucky with injury.
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@Landers92 said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
Corey Evans jumped Sullivan in the pecking order? Huge call
Yeah Sullivan's become a bit of a forgotten man these days rightly or wrongly.
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I honestly don't get it.
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@Bones said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
This Funaki merry-go-round is utterly bizarre. Was dropped for the finals last year too, maybe Vern is hoping lightning strikes twice.
Oh fuck, I didn't even notice, I just assumed he was starting with Nock on the bench.
Ah well, I guess my beloved Chiefs are safe this week.
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Ricky Riccitelli will play his 50th match for the Blues.
The Chiefs (22.8 points conceded) and Blues (23.6 points) are the two best defensive teams in the competition, setting the stage for a physical contest.
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@Tim said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Bones I guess it is due to his kicking game? He's been the best distributor for us over the last two seasons.
I can only think, despite him looking so good when he gets on, he mustn't be following instructions? Only reason I can think for just being dropped cold last season and then only the odd game then dropped this season.
If so, I think the instructions might be wrong...
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@African-Monkey said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
Funaki wasn't the greatest against MP, but I'd still have him ahead of Nock.
Same
I think he is paying the price for a poor box kicking game against MP. Gifted easy possession to the opposition.
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Both games between these two sides have been incredibly close this year. Blues led for 75 per cent of the first match and came within a whisker of snatching the second too, and didn't have Beauden Barrett for much of that game (which, depending on who you ask, may have been a blessing or a curse).
Chiefs will rightly go in as favourites but I'm expecting a very tight match (especially if the weather doesn't play ball) and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Blues come out trumps.
Blues should be targeting the Chiefs midfield with two less than assured defenders - will be a very big test for Wrampling and Rona.
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Looks like the Chiefs are going for the physical bash-em-up from the onset, though having Sititi on the bench is a big call. I'm scratching my head a little there.
Tupaea not playing is quite a loss for the Chiefs, he's been excellent all season and ptting in an untired player in a knock-out game is always a risk.
In saying that it could be a game where the Chiefs run away with it especially if they get early points, I just don't see the Blues having the firepower to score a lot of points in this game or the forward pack to bully the Chiefs if it's a tight match. It's also fair to say that DMac is much better goalkicker than BB if the game does get tight.So my wildy inaccurate prediction would be for the Chiefs by 12 and under.
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@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
