Chiefs 2019

Gunner

Being a prop at the chiefs is like being a 6 at the Highlanders...

5 All Black props, jaysus!

Edit: or is that 4, has Moli played for the ABs? Or is it just that there has been talk of it?

Bovidae

@gunner Moli came off the bench vs the French XV. No tests yet.

booboo

Being a prop at the chiefs is like being a 6 at the Highlanders...

5 All Black props, jaysus!

Edit: or is that 4, has Moli played for the ABs? Or is it just that there has been talk of it?

From wiki

This meant that after starting in a 31-22 loss against the All Blacks for the Barbarians coached by Robbie Deans on 4 November, Moli joined the All Blacks squad again, making his debut for New Zealand against a French XV 10 days later, replacing Tim Perry with 23 minutes left. Moli was one of six players to make their All Blacks debut in the 28-23 win.

Duluth

It will be interesting to see how Debreczeni goes. He struggled at the Rebels and justifiably got passed by a couple of average tens. He always looked ok at fullback IMO

He did play well for Northland though. Was that just because of the drop in class from SR to NPC?
He's very large for a flyhalf, I do wonder if his size counts against him at SR level when things happen a bit faster

Also he's still relatively young so maybe he's just improved

OleOleOle

The Chiefs look inexperienced in the midfield, that could bite.

I'm not convinced by MMac...maybe he was still contracted.

Disappointed that Tupaea is not signed...off to the Blues maybe??

I really want to see what the fuss over Fin Hoeata is all about.

Overall a fairly settled squad...

Bovidae

@oleoleole said in Chiefs 2019:

The Chiefs look inexperienced in the midfield, that could bite.

A lot of pressure on ALB now to stay injury-free. Nankivell is lucky and has never looked completely comfortable at SR level.

The Chiefs have a lot of versatility in the backs with numerous players able to slot in at multiple positions. Putting them in the right positions will be important!

Nepia

Looks kind of weak in the backs without Maori Jesus.

Chris B.

@bovidae Yeah - not sure why they'd keep Nankivell ahead of Aumua unless they had to. Alex doesn't really inspire confidence in me at NPC level.

Crucial

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2019:

@oleoleole said in Chiefs 2019:

The Chiefs look inexperienced in the midfield, that could bite.

A lot of pressure on ALB now to stay injury-free. Nankivell is lucky and has never looked completely comfortable at SR level.

The Chiefs have a lot of versatility in the backs with numerous players able to slot in at multiple positions. Putting them in the right positions will be important!

Yeah. Cooper has already mentioned Moeakiola as being a midfielder/winger. Could be interesting.

Like all of the teams some of the gambles/necessities in previous years are hanging around even if we can all see better options.
Would be nice if franchises had enough money to pay players out at times.

taniwharugby

so is Moeakiola eligible for NZ?

Tim

@chris-b Think Nankivel was on a two year contract.

Nepia

@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2019:

so is Moeakiola eligible for NZ?

I don't think so. He's a Tongan who's played for Japan (U20s at least).

Nepia

This is weird, I kind of think that Wainui will wind up being our best midfielder (aside from ALB of course), he turned a corner last year with his performances and the rest of the midfield stocks aren't outstanding.

Bovidae

@tim said in Chiefs 2019:

@chris-b Think Nankivel was on a two year contract.

Yes. He'll have plenty to prove this year to get another. Aumua and Verney had 1-yr deals.

gt12

Glad we got Manu, ALB to 12, Manu 13. But after that the midfield looks weak. Nankivelli must be the worst Ta$man midfielder! And, still with MMac FFS. Hurricanes have outside backs stacked up and we’ve got him. Fuck you Cooper.

Locks and loosies look reliant on two familiar faces - feel like we missed a trick not getting one of the younger locks (ala highlanders).

I’m good news though, we kept Stevenson and Alaimalo, and we potentially have the best prop depth of any franchise.

Semi-final looks a good result, doesn’t appear to be a Champiobship team.

Bovidae

@gt12 said in Chiefs 2019:

And, still with MMac FFS. Hurricanes have outside backs stacked up and we’ve got him. Fuck you Cooper.

It's like the Whitelocks in the ABs, buy one and get one free.

Locks and loosies look reliant on two familiar faces - feel like we missed a trick not getting one of the younger locks (ala highlanders).

Who in particular? Whetton? Parkinson was already signed.

I'm comfortable with the Chiefs' locking stocks if BBBR is there. Develop McWhannell and you have an experienced trio (BBBR, Ardron, Allardice) to work with. Hoeata is the big unknown as he didn't play all year.

Nepia

So, I wonder if McNicol is ever going to make it back into rugby? I assume without his concussion issues he would have had a midfield/utility back spot.

gt12

@bovidae

Wheaton was the obvious one, but I’ll admit I don’t know too much about the guy you are talking about. Either way, not much class after Brodie. After last year, I think Ardern looks best as a 6/lock, and we may need him there with our loosie rotation.

WillieTheWaiter

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2019:

Cooper has selected an extra prop (O'Neill), probably because of the uncertainty over Hames and Moli.

As mentioned in the SR thread, I am disappointed for Tucker, who had a great M10 season. Perhaps his injury is serious, or he will be picked up by another team. Hoeata was a permanent food bill this year. I have big hopes for McWhannell.

Sowakula did OK without setting the world on fire but I can understand his selection as a no.8.

Halfbacks - rumours about Roe were unfounded.

1st 5s - Debreczeni's selection rumour was correct. MMac still gets himself a spot though.

Midfield - no Tupaea surprises me. The Chiefs better have him signed though.

Outside backs - great to have Stevenson back and Nanai-Seturo. I don't really consider Wainui a specialist winger as he lacks pace. Moeakiola played for the Sunwolves but I didn't really watch them (apart from the Chiefs game). I would have preferred a NZ player.

agree with your comments. Tucker was on fire so that's a shame. Quinn over Bailyn seemed like a no brainer - but not sure how far back contracts are signed..

Although it doesn't really happen these days would be nice to see some reward of players with the catchment zone being rewarded - by that I mean Sevu over jap guy.. but heard coach on radio this morning saying htat contract was signed before Sevus fell over.

ARHS

Looks like NPC form did not count for much in the Super Squads, particularly the Chiefs, as most deal sealed long ago. Is that a good thing for NZ rugby? What happens to the form players who missed out?

It feels like the Chiefs have dug themselves into a hole with multi-year signings of players who have not delivered even at NPC level, while better options in their own franchise miss out on Super rugby altogether.

How can someone with form like James Tucker or Quinn Tupaea miss out on a contract? I just hope Sevu Reece makes the sevens squad now.

Pretty gutting to see players brought in from overseas while form local players miss out!

The Silver Fern

Chiefs 2019