Chiefs 2018

GagaBoy

Some lack of depth beyond the first XV... Ardron is an under performer as already stated by KiwiPie. Reminds me of Pierre Spies - looks like Tarzan, play like... Shame Parete didn't get a look in, got so go that young fella.

MMac, TNW, even Messam (yes I know, needed for the mana!) - not even sure how Fin Hoeata got a gig. I assume Cooper has a soft spot for him, but I haven't seen much him for a while. Didn't he have concussion issues?

Weak squad in my opinion, but I thought that a couple of years ago and they won the bloody thing... twice!

Bovidae

@gagaboy

Hoeata was involved with the Chiefs this year but got injured at the Brisbane 10s - ankle ligament damage.

He's young but is definitely a hometown selection. Hoeata wasn't even starting for Taranaki and neither starting locks (both 30+) are playing Super rugby.

ARHS

@gagaboy
Bit disappointed at the overall quality of the new signings, with no real standouts (perhaps Tahuriorangi will prove me wrong). But, hoping Aumua can make an impact out wide as limited power in the outside backs. Glad McNicol is back. Would be much happier if Delany or Donald was in there to add to mentoring. Feel sorry for Manihera and Parete, Tucker and Mewett re the Ardron and Hoeata selections. Hope they justify their selections.

For me Cane, Seu, Boshier and Messam would make a very useful loosie quartet, with some positional flexibility. Quite surprised Boshier was not mentioned in openside considerations for ABs with Lentjes, Gibson and Hunt.

Bovidae

Out of the 38-man squad only 6 weren't involved this year. So the player turnover isn't as great as in previous years. That said, the loss of experience/class with Elliot, TKB, Cruden and Lowe cannot be underestimated.

gt12

@bovidae

That's really the point, isn't it - a lot of class has gone, and we are banking on young players coming through and showing class, because we haven't really signed any. Sadly, I don't see us making the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong.

cgrant

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2018:

@tim said in Chiefs 2018:

Who's in your XXIII, Chiefs fans?

Hames

Harris

Laulala

Retallick

Bird

Brown

Cane

Messam

Weber (to start with)

DMac

Alaimalo

Ngatai

ALB

Pulu

Stevenson

Taukei'aho

Graham

Moli

Seu

Boshier

TTT

Falcon

TNW

McNicol
Alaimalo

cgrant

@cgrant
11.McNicol
14.Alaimalo

Crucial

I just realised the big hole this squad could fall into.
They are banking bigtime on DMac continuing his rather incredible durability and gametime.
An injury to him weakens the 10 position a lot and that's even with him not being proven himself.
I do wonder if Beaver wasn't contracted because Cooper was always going to bring through one new guy (Falcon) and offer a spot to MMac.
I would feel far more comfortable with Beaver still in the background.

Bovidae

On Donald:

Cooper revealed the veteran playmaker is heading for another season in Japan, but that he could come into consideration on his return. "He's a good man, I've coached him with the Junior All Blacks, I've got a good relationship with Stephen," Cooper said. "We're going to talk when he returns and we'll see how we are with injuries and he could be a good injury cover for us."

--
I think Beaver would have been a useful option in the squad to cover 10/12 but he might have decided he could earn better money in Japan. If the Chiefs wanted another experienced 1st 5 then Cooper should have went after Delany. I would assume MMac was amongst the last handful of players offered contracts, and he is more of a fullback now.

ARHS

@bovidae

Spot on there. All 3 first-fives have been playing fullback primarily. Don't understand why Delany and Donald both overlooked - especially as midfield seems overstaffed. Hard to see much game time for Verney. I would want Marty McKenzie on the bench ahead of Falcon as you need a reliable kicker at all times - witness Waikato this year.

I would certainly want McNicol and Alaimalo on the wings, with Nanai Williams on the bench. I expect big things from Seu this year, so Brown is a reserve for me.

Bones

Hasn't it been established that Donald isn't overlooked? He's going to Japan.

Crucial

@bones said in Chiefs 2018:

Hasn't it been established that Donald isn't overlooked? He's going to Japan.

He only took a Japan contract because he had no other offers.
It may be that he was approached after signing, but there was a period where he was waiting on contact for work.

footy01

Would of been good to have Donald in the squad especially as a mentor to DMac and Falcon. Falcon was kicking 85%+ for the 20s so goalkicking shouldn't be an issue but do worry that all 3 10s played fullback in mitre 10 cup. At least with the massive forward pack the team should be going forward which will make it easier for the 10s and get this slick backline going

Bovidae

@arhs said in Chiefs 2018:

I would certainly want McNicol and Alaimalo on the wings, with Nanai Williams on the bench.

Alaimalo will be one of the wingers but the other spot is open. Pulu was chosen a lot this year when fit and took his chances.

taniwharugby

@bovidae I think Alaimalo's best spot is 15, but as we see nowadays 2 of the back 3 are often used as 2nd FB roles anyway and add in his height too, he'll be sweet, his rise has been rapid, hopefully with more starts next year he'll progress even more.

Seems durable too, played every single minute for Northland this year.

Bovidae

@taniwharugby

There will be some versatility in the Chiefs back three. Alaimalo and Stevenson could be interchangeable at fullback/wing and throw in one of Pulu and McNicol, the latter having played fullback too.

Crucial

Pulu is a fullback as well. Played a whole season for CM in the 15 jersey. Is also a very good goal kicker.

taniwharugby

@crucial Alaimalos kicking game is something that was massively underused by us, more so when both our 10s don't have a long enough kicking game, and he showed he has a good long kicking game when needed.

Wurzel

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Chiefs back three of Stevenson, Alaimalo and McNicol.

Gawd, I hate the Chiefs.

Bovidae

@crucial

I thought Pulu had played fullback too but I wasn't 100% sure.

The Silver Fern

Chiefs 2018