Chiefs 2018

[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?

1. Hames

2. Harris

3. Laulala

4. Retallick

5. Bird

6. Brown

7. Cane

8. Messam

9. Weber (to start with)

10. DMac

11. Alaimalo

12. Ngatai

13. ALB

14. Pulu

15. Stevenson

16. Taukei'aho

17. Graham

18. Moli

19. Seu

20. Boshier

21. TTT

22. Falcon

23. TNW

11. McNicol
12. 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.

[Stargazer]

All game venues for the Chiefs' 2018 SR season have now been confirmed (from Chiefs' FB):

[KiwiPie]

7 in the Tron, 1 in Rotorua and zero for the Naki and C-M? Seems a bit narrow ....