Chiefs 2018

[Stargazer]

@tim I don't see McNicol's name in that list. Is he still under contract in 2018?

And, can you remind me, which Brown is that at 5, 6 and 8?
What about Boshier?

[Tim]

Haven't seen anything about a contract extension for McNicol. Also, he's been unavailable so often that I wouldn't want to count on him playing.

Forgot about Boshier for the bench.

[Stargazer]

@tim Yeah, it's such a waste. McNicol, when fit and healthy, is a hugely talented player and he could have gotten far if he hadn't been plagued by injury so often and for so long.

[taniwharugby]

while I see no reason why Alaimalo wont go back to the Chiefs, I dont believe he is signed with anyone yet (initially only 1 year contract) but heard there are a few teams interested.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby

According to the following article he has been signed for next year too.

Gone:
Hika Elliot, Tom Sanders, Michael Leitch, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Finlay Christie, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, James Lowe.

Staying:
2018: Liam Messam, Dominic Bird, Damian McKenzie, Charlie Ngatai, Tim Nanai-Williams, Toni Pulu, Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson.

2019: Kane Hames, Sosefo Kautai, Nathan Harris, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Karpik, Jonathan Taumateine.

2020: Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown.

TBC:
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Liam Polwart, James Tucker, Sam Cane, Sam McNicol, Glen Fisiiahi, Johnny Fa'auli, Chase Tiatia.

Arriving:
Tyler Ardron (till 2019), Luke Jacobson (till 2020), Tiaan Falcon (till 2019), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (till 2019).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/95717022/how-the-revamped-chiefs-are-shaping-up-for-super-rugby-in-2018

[taniwharugby]

@tim ah ok, good for them and him...musta mis-heard what I had been told.

[mikedogz]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2017–18_Super_Rugby_transfers#Chiefs

[Tim]

@mikedogz Do you know if Orbyn Leger has been signed?

[mikedogz]

Not that I know of. I would imagine he will get a WTG contract at least and play in development games.

[cgrant]

Siegfried Fisi'ihoi is playing in France (with Stade Français).

[Chiefy07]

To me Stevenson looks like a winger that can play fullback and Alaimalo looks like a fullback that can play wing.

[Hooroo]

Is it rumour or fact that DMac is playing 10 in 2018 for The Chiefs?

[booboo]

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

Is it rumour or fact that DMac is playing 10 in 2018 for The Chiefs?

I'm not answering as I have no idea (obviously ) but (genuine question: who are the other options? Falcon (from @Tim 's post above)? And?

[Hooroo]

@booboo said in Chiefs 2018:

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

Is it rumour or fact that DMac is playing 10 in 2018 for The Chiefs?

I'm not answering as I have no idea (obviously ) but (genuine question: who are the other options? Falcon (from @Tim 's post above)? And?

But your post isn't the first I've heard.

I hear the AB's have asked that he play 1st 5 which is against Colin Coopers wishes but I can't back that up as I can't for the life of me remember where I heard or read it.

I was hoping you would solve for me

[KiwiMurph]

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

@booboo said in Chiefs 2018:

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

Is it rumour or fact that DMac is playing 10 in 2018 for The Chiefs?

I'm not answering as I have no idea (obviously ) but (genuine question: who are the other options? Falcon (from @Tim 's post above)? And?

But your post isn't the first I've heard.

I hear the AB's have asked that he play 1st 5 which is against Colin Coopers wishes but I can't back that up as I can't for the life of me remember where I heard or read it.

I was hoping you would solve for me

Interesting that Cooper picked DMac at 10 for the Maori vs the Lions then

[Hooroo]

@kiwimurph solid point! Maybe I have it the other way round?!?

[Unco]

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

@kiwimurph solid point! Maybe I have it the other way round?!?

You sure you're not thinking of Rennie, Nisbo?

Wayne Smith has always been said to see DMac as a 10 and disagreed with Rennie playing him at 15 all the time, so no surprise if Hansen's thinking along the same lines too. I don't think we know what Cooper's planning yet but seeing as Cruden's gone and Beaver's been dropped (for shame!), there aren't exactly many options.

[Nepia]

@unco said in Chiefs 2018:

@hooroo said in Chiefs 2018:

@kiwimurph solid point! Maybe I have it the other way round?!?

You sure you're not thinking of Rennie, Nisbo?

Wayne Smith has always been said to see DMac as a 10 and disagreed with Rennie playing him at 15 all the time, so no surprise if Hansen's thinking along the same lines too. I don't think we know what Cooper's planning yet but seeing as Cruden's gone and Beaver's been dropped (for shame!), there aren't exactly many options.

I think if Wayne Smith was the coach of the Chiefs he would have been playing D Mac at 10 while Cruden was around too.

He does look to be the starting 10 in the squad at this stage - is Falcon the only other 10? M Mac hasn't been signed up has he?

[gt12]

I think @Bovidae is usually the person with best inside knowledge @Hooroo.

But, from memory the plan has been to use Dmac at 10, with Stevenson coming to FB (his preferred position).

[Crucial]

I hope DMac does get a full uninjured season at 10 just so we can all see how he may work in the future in the ABs.
I have seen glimpses when he comes in at first receiver and he has a good accurate kicking game. It is his distribution I am more concerned about. A bit like BB he tends to pass a bit early or a bit late. Doesn't have that perfect timing that the likes of DC had.
The squad selection so far certainly points toward a lot be banked on him at 10.
In a way he is a better version of TNW and I sometimes wish Timmy had been pushed toward 10 more. He was quite a good 10 that could have developed into a very good 10 if it wasn't for coaches wanting to use his broken play skills more.