Chiefs 2020

[Yeetyaah]

Also DMac said he wants to play FB so he probably will. Falcon to start at 10, unless Cruden does actually come back. Leger didn't do much for me. Never seen much of Trask. Only seen Reihana.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2020:

I'll have a go at selecting a Chiefs squad. Qualifier: I have no fuckin' idea who the new players will be as I haven't heard any rumours.

The big holes to fill are:

(1) Lock. Filling BBBR's shoes is impossible so finding a tall lock would be a good start. Top of the list is BOP boy Pari Pari Parkinson but unlikely.
(2) No.8. A bruising ball-runner would be ideal. I see Sowakula as a backup not a starter.
(3) 1st 5. I don't see any experienced 1st 5s out there to provide some mentoring to the younger 1st 5s. Thanks for nothing Deb.
(4) Wingers. The squad will include utility players who can play on the wing but the addition of a big, fast winger would be good.

PROPS (6)
Atu Moli
Aidan Ross
Nepo Laulala
Angus Ta'avao
Reuben O'Neill
Ryan Coxon/Tevita Mafileo

Cooper had 7 props in his squad this year but that may have only been as cover for Hames.

HOOKERS (3)
Nathan Harris
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Liam Polwart

LOCKS (5)
Michael Allardice
Laghlan McWhannell
James Tucker
Tupou Vaa’i
Daymon Leasuasu

Other options include Aaron Carroll and Mickey Woolliams.

LOOSE FORWARDS (7)
Sam Cane
Lachlan Boshier
Mitchell Karpik
Luke Jacobson
Mitchell Brown
Tyler Ardron (but more likely to play at lock)
Pita Gus Sowakula

Depending on the mix at lock and loose forward players like Jesse Parete or Hoani Matenga could be in the mix. A couple of young players to consider (Samipeni Finau and Charles Alaimalo). Simon Parker is one for the future at no.8 but only just out of school.

INSIDE BACKS (6)
Brad Weber
Te Torioa Tahuriorangi
Choose one of the young halfbacks from the region (e.g. Carlos Price or Leroy Carter)
Damian McKenzie
Tiaan Falcon
One of Kaleb Trask/Orbyn Leger/Luteru Laulala.

MIDFIELDERS (4)
Anton Lienert Brown
Alex Nankivell
Tumua Manu (if he is going back to the Blues then Wainui will be considered a centre)
Quinn Tupaea

OUTSIDE BACKS (7)
Solomon Alaimalo
Shaun Stevenson
Sean Wainui
Bailyn Sullivan
Kini Naholo
Etene Nanai-Seturo -> Lalomilo Lalomilo
Draft player (winger)

You might be pretty close with that squad

[Yeetyaah]

Draft player (winger)

Lotima Fainga'anuku

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah I'll admit I was struggling to fill in some gaps so was relying on young players who were in the system.

Lalomilo - was in this year's NZ U20s and did OK there. The BOP mafia will be able to tell us how he went this year but he may have been injured.
Luteru Laulala - he has been involved in the Chiefs Dev team but was injured all year. Reihana has a big future but Trask is a little older and further developed. He was the BOP 1st 5 this year when fit. If DMac wants to play fullback then that makes the depth at 1st 5 even worse. Leger is more a 2nd 5.
Vaa'i - a big unit out of Wesley who has size (1.98 m, 118 kg) and was also in the U20s. He is very mobile and started a lot for Taranaki this year.

As for Takarangi, he was overlooked for Price in the Waikato team for most of the season which is why I didn't include him.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2020:

Draft player (winger)

Lotima Fainga'anuku

I wasn't that impressed when I saw him play. There must be a big, quick winger in Counties or Auckland.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae Mark Telea looked pretty good for Harbour.

[OleOleOle]

@Chris Tucker won't be with the Chiefs....so not sure who steps in to that locking position. Slater over Polwart at hooker. I hope they take Finau or Alaimalo or ever Paker over Parete.

[Bovidae]

@OleOleOle Confirmed? WTF. I hope he gets picked up by another team like the Blues then.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2020:

@OleOleOle Confirmed? WTF. I hope he gets picked up by another team like the Blues then.

Maybe the Crusaders ? his younger brother is in the Academy and James went to school at St Bedes in Chch

[Chris]

@OleOleOle said in Chiefs 2020:

@Chris Tucker won't be with the Chiefs....so not sure who steps in to that locking position. Slater over Polwart at hooker. I hope they take Finau or Alaimalo or ever Paker over Parete.

I rate Finau. I though Parker was signed in the WTG.

[Yeetyaah]

Cruden?

[Chris]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2020:

Cruden?

Looks like Cruden

[Yeetyaah]

@Chris I mean why else would it be that era of jersey? The other posts are using the 208/19 jerseys. Maybe looking into it too much. The one about the canes looks like Jordie so I would have to assume it's Cruden and he's back next year. Fugga yes.

[Tim]

@Bovidae I've heard rumours from two sources that Tucker is going to the Blues.

[Bovidae]

@Chris said in Chiefs 2020:

I though Parker was signed in the WTG.

More likely. He is only 19 so he would be unlikely to be a full squad member yet. Finau is 20.

[Yeetyaah]

@Tim Fuck that's irritating. Chiefs really shit the bed by not bringing him in this year. At least he will be being used I suppose.

[Bovidae]

Tucker got injured in the final last year so might not have been available for selection initially. He did later end up at the Blues...

[gt12]

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2020:

@Chris said in Chiefs 2020:

I though Parker was signed in the WTG.

More likely. He is only 19 so he would be unlikely to be a full squad member yet. Finau is 20.

If we don't sign Finau, I'll spit.

[Bovidae]

@gt12 A better chance now if Tucker is not at the Chiefs. Finau can play lock and 6.

[Chris B.]

@Chris @Yeetyaah