Chiefs 2017

[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.

[mariner4life]

so wait, hard working lock deep in the AB depth chart signs for a year, it's great.

SBW signs for a year and it's nailed on proof he's not committed to NZ rugby?

[Milk]

Right, I misread it and thought both were signing on for 2018 and 2019. He's having one more roll of the dice. I don't know what sort of season he'd have to have to get back in the All Blacks squad. Hansen is very loyal to his current squad so he'll need some injury assistance.

[Crucial]

@Milk said in Chiefs 2017:

Right, I misread it and thought both were signing on for 2018 and 2019. He's having one more roll of the dice. I don't know what sort of season he'd have to have to get back in the All Blacks squad. Hansen is very loyal to his current squad so he'll need some injury assistance.

He certainly won't surpass Whitelock in the pecking order (and shouldn't) but against the Lions he could be a good option to have around. Bit more grunt than Pat T and Romano IMO.
BBBR is obviously getting him to really up his work rate as often at the moment you can't tell them apart.
I think he may be in serious consideration.

One way to take it to the Lions is to beat them at their own strengths and smash them at the breakdowns and halt their ball carriers in their tracks. That's the kind of skill set Bird has.

[Bovidae]

The good news is that recent comments from both Hames and Leitch confirm they are keen to re-sign for the Chiefs.

[Nepia]

@Crucial said in Chiefs 2017:

@Milk said in Chiefs 2017:

Right, I misread it and thought both were signing on for 2018 and 2019. He's having one more roll of the dice. I don't know what sort of season he'd have to have to get back in the All Blacks squad. Hansen is very loyal to his current squad so he'll need some injury assistance.

He certainly won't surpass Whitelock in the pecking order (and shouldn't) but against the Lions he could be a good option to have around. Bit more grunt than Pat T and Romano IMO.
BBBR is obviously getting him to really up his work rate as often at the moment you can't tell them apart.
I think he may be in serious consideration.

One way to take it to the Lions is to beat them at their own strengths and smash them at the breakdowns and halt their ball carriers in their tracks. That's the kind of skill set Bird has.

I don't think that is true. And it certainly hasn't been true in previous years. But thankfully he's found his feet and wont look out of place at international level I reckon. I agree he probably is in serious consideration.

[Stargazer]

Not sure whether this has already been posted:

Chiefs Name Development Team for Hong Kong Tour (17-25 April)

Props
Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)
Reuben O’Neill (Taranaki)
Kalolo Tuiloma (Counties Manukau)
Joshua Iosefo-Scott (Waikato)
Motoki Yamazaki (Kobelco Steelers)

Hookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato)
Sekope Moli (Waikato)

Locks
Matiaha Martin (Counties Manukau)
Viliame Rarasea (Counties Manukau)
Lachlan McWhannell (Waikato)
Jang Seokhwan (Kobelco Steelers)

Loose Forwards
Jahrome Brown (Waikato)
Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato) – captain
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Waikato)
Ajay Lafaele-Mua (Bay of Plenty)
Matt Vai’i (Counties Manukau)

Halfbacks
Logan Crowley (Taranaki)
Luke Campbell (Bay of Plenty)

1st fives
Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty)

Midfield
Matthew Lansdown (Waikato)
Elijah Nicholas (Bay of Plenty)
Shintaro Hayashi (Kobelco Steelers)

Outside backs
Latu Vaeno (Taranaki)
Lelia Masaga
Sheldon Tovio (Waikato)
Tyler Campbell (Waikato)

More info: http://www.collegesportmedia.co.nz/rugby-union/chiefs-name-development-team-for-hong-kong-tour

[Crucial]

Masaga still requires development?

[MajorPom]

I was on the plane with these guys last year when they were enroute to Japan, I think (Kahui was with them).

They had them in economy - was quite funny as many of them were massive. I still remember Martie Mckenzie in the middle seat between a lock and a prop. Poor chap.