Chiefs 2017

[Kiwidom]

@Bovidae I would have thought that Nathaniel Apa, Jessie Parete, Tau Kolomatangi and Stephen Misa would have made this squad. Any idea if they are injured or moved on?

[ARHS]

There are other interesting omissions also: Isaac Te Aute, Zac Guildford, Ratuva Tavuyara, Jo Ravouvou, Dwayne Sweeney, Alex Nankivell, Sam Christie, Jordan Manihera, Sam Henwood, Berny Hall, Joe Tupe, Onosai Auvaa, Keepa Mewett, Brayden Mitchell, Gafatasi Sua and Solomona Sakalia etc. Most of these are older players, so I wonder if there is a 'development contract' requirement to be in this squad, focusing it on youth? I imagine that Sam Vaka and Mitch Jacobsen might be snapped up as injury cover by any franchise, and maybe Regan Ware. Same for the 4 noted as unavailable and the 4 mentioned by Kiwidom. If only two matches in early March for this squad maybe some players concentrating on University studies or similar.

Can anyone confirm how it works? Just seems odd to leave out a number of players used as injury cover. Presumably they are all available to any franchise if needed??

[Tim]

When will Joe Tupe be heading to the UK? He looks like the just the sort of ball carrying number 8 that does well over there.

[Bovidae]

@Kiwidom No idea about the players you list. I mentioned Misa in the Brisbane 10s thread. We'll have to wait until club rugby starts to see who may have left the region.

All I know is that the squad was selected by the Chiefs coaches in collaboration with the Mitre 10 Cup coaches from Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki. The emphasis is on youth but that doesn't explain the omission of Misa, for example.

The Chiefs development team also tours Hong Kong where they are involved in training and play the national side.

[Frye]

@Kiwidom said in Chiefs 2017:

@Bovidae I would have thought that Nathaniel Apa, Jessie Parete, Tau Kolomatangi and Stephen Misa would have made this squad. Any idea if they are injured or moved on?

I know Kolomatangi is currently playing for Valley in Hong Kong. He's part of an agreement with the Chiefs to loan six (?) development players to the premiership clubs in HK.

The others are Josh Dowsing, Turoa Stephens, Lars Morrice, Nathan De Thierry and Joseph Ikenasio.

[Kiwidom]

@ARHS I had forgotten about Te Aute, another young fella who is not currently in the 7s squad and is not listed as being on their injury roster. I remember when these sides were originally picked years ago it was strictly an under 23 squad, so maybe they try to still loosely stick with that concept nowadays, as some of the players on your list can't really 'develop' anymore. I did chuckle at Zac Guildford though...

[cgrant]

Nankivell, Tupe, Manihera and Misa are shock omissions. Are they drafted by another franchise ?

[ARHS]

@Kiwidom Only mentioned Guildford as he was so impressive at the sevens in Rotorua and nationals. So were Te Aute, Tavuyara and Ravouvou, but all missed the national sevens squad, as did Sevu Reece. Perhaps they are hunting places there. Not sure if players distinctly choose sevens or 15s now, but seeing Ware in the development team surprised me.
I am mystified that Tupe was overlooked by all franchises, and note the Crusaders chose Douglas ahead of him. Also surprising to see Price and Skeen overlooked by all franchises. Any idea why they are unavailable? Surprising re Nankivell, as he is not in Crusaders development team either.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS Guildford is on NZR probation so to speak and won't be selected for any team at the moment. He'll play club rugby and his first step back will be for Waikato in the ITM.

Reece is inelligible for the NZ Sevens until next year. I think Skeen is injured again.

[Kiwidom]

@ARHS Guildford looked pretty sharp at the sevens but Nzrfu development manager Neil Sorensen stated they are taking things slowly with him and he needs to prove himself off the field this year before he will be selected in any team.
I think most people on the silver fern were surprised Joe Type wasn't picked up by a franchise. Whetu Douglas doesn't seem to offer that same x factor

[Chris B.]

@cgrant said in Chiefs 2017:

Nankivell, Tupe, Manihera and Misa are shock omissions. Are they drafted by another franchise ?

I think Nankivell is currently drafted into the full Chiefs squad as cover for Ngatai.

[Stargazer]

The Chiefs U20 squad (not to be confused with the Chiefs Dev squad) will play Blues U20 tomorrow at 2.30pm at the Manukau Rugby Football Club.

Team:

1. Ryan Coxan (Waikato)
2. Bradley Slater (Taranaki)
3. Tevita Mafileo ( Bay of Plenty)
4. Sione Tuipulotu (Counties Manukau)
5. Sam Caird (Waikato)
6. Tom Florence (Taranaki)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Waikato)
8. Luke Jacobson – CAPTAIN (Waikato)
9. Caleb Korteweg (Waikato)
10. Matthew Lansdown (Waikato)
11. Sevu Reece (Waikato)
12. Matt McKenzie (Taranaki)
13. Salimoni Tukania (Counties Manukau)
14. Tyler Campbell (Waikato)
15. Niven Longopoa (Waikato)

RESERVES:
16. Damon Abraham (Counties Manukau)
17. Angus MacDonald (Bay of Plenty)
18. Alex Mitchell (Taranaki)
19. Lachlan McWhannell (Waikato)
20. Antonio Kata (Counties Manukau)
21. Ajay Mua (Bay of Plenty)
22. Ciarahn Matoe (Taranaki)
23. Brad Armstrong (Bay of Plenty)
24. Antonio Mikaele Tu’u (Waikato)
25. James Brady (Counties Manukau)

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/390-chiefs-u20s-team-named-to-play-blues

Interesting to see a Hawke's Bay age grade player in that squad, Antonio Mikaele Tu'u (the twin? brother of Magpie and NZ U20 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u). Most notable player IMO is Sevu Reece. Also Luke Jacobson.

[Dice]

I was sure Longopoa was with Auckland after playing with Suburbs over the summer, but Waikato Crusaders have got him. Just make sure he returns to Auckland injury free in 2 years like Trainor.

BOP got themselves one of the best backrow prospects out of school in AJ Mua. They must've offered him a fair bit more than the bigger provinces to snag him.

[Kiwidom]

@Dice I read recently that Niven Longapoa was also targeted by the Canberra raiders and they have vowed to keep at him, so you might not get him back in Auckland

[Bovidae]

Mitchell Karpik re-signs for a further 2 years.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs U20s vs. Argentina U20s match kicks off at 4.30pm this Saturday 25 March. Entry is free into Massey Park, Papakura.

The Chiefs U20s team to play Argentina U20s is:

1. Alex Mitchell (Taranaki)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato)
3. Tevita Mafileo (Bay of Plenty)
4. Lachlan McWhannell (Waikato)
5. Sam Caird (Waikato
6. Luke Jacobson (Waikato)
7. Du Plessis Kirifi (Waikato)
8. Ajay Mua (Bay of Plenty)
9. Caleb Korteweg (Waikato)
10. Ciarahn Matoe (Taranaki)
11. Sali Tukania (Counties Manukau)
12. Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)
13. Sevu Reece (Waikato)
14. Tyler Campbell (Waikato)
15. Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty)

RESERVES:
16. Damon Abraham (Counties Manukau)
17. Bradley Slater (Taranaki)
18. Jesse Williams (Bay of Plenty)
19. Sione Tuipulotu (Counties Manukau)
20. Tom Florence (Taranaki)
21. Joe Johnson (Bay of Plenty)
22. Te Ra Whata (Bay of Plenty)
23. Matt McKenzie (Taranaki)
24. Walter Fifita (Counties Manukau)

[Bovidae]

Two of the tallest timber in the Gallagher Chiefs squad are here to stay. Dominic Bird and Michael Allardice are excited to continue their Investec Super Rugby careers with the Gallagher Chiefs under incoming head coach Colin Cooper. Dominic Bird has signed on for 2018, while Michael Allardice has committed for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

At 2.06m and 112kg, Dominic Bird is the tallest second rower in the Gallagher Chiefs squad. He made his All Blacks debut against Japan in 2013 and was also part of the 2011 New Zealand Under 20’s IRB Junior World Championship winning team alongside Gallagher Chiefs teammates Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane. The Waipukurau-born 25-year-old joined the Chiefs for the 2016 season following three years with the Crusaders. Bird is Gallagher Chief #274 and has played 15 games for the side to date.

Taihape-born Michael Allardice made his Investec Super Rugby debut for the Gallagher Chiefs in 2015. The hardworking 25-year-old lock has shown his resilience in the last 12 months working his way back from a knee injury which has limited his playing time. A product of Palmerston North Boys High School, Allardice was a member of the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand University teams. The Hawke’s Bay Mitre 10 Cup representative is Gallagher Chief #257 and has 18 caps to his name.

Bird and Allardice join All Black Brodie Retallick in the locking stocks who is already committed to the Gallagher Chiefs through till 2019.

For the video announcement please click here:

[Milk]

Good on D Bird for sticking around and keeping at it. I assume he could have earned more overseas?

[JayCee]

I was expecting to see Bird in the exodus thread to be honest - glad he is staying on

[Bovidae]

@JayCee
@Milk

Yep, but I think these short-term deals will be more common for the non-AB players as it means you have options.