Chiefs 2020
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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 MafileoCooper 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 PolwartLOCKS (5)
Michael Allardice
Laghlan McWhannell
James Tucker
Tupou Vaa’i
Daymon LeasuasuOther 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 SowakulaDepending 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 TupaeaOUTSIDE BACKS (7)
Solomon Alaimalo
Shaun Stevenson
Sean Wainui
Bailyn Sullivan
Kini Naholo
Etene Nanai-Seturo -> Lalomilo Lalomilo
Draft player (winger) -
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2020:
@Bovidae Sam McNicol not coming back?
No idea, but it's hard to pick someone who hasn't played in 2 seasons. His initial concussion was very severe.
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@Bovidae is Sam mcnicol still contracted
@Jonty-lean said in Chiefs 2020:
@Bovidae is Sam mcnicol still contracted
2019 was the final year of the Chiefs contract McNicol was on.
He suffered an ankle injury in the Magpies opening match of the Mitre 10 Cup, and didn't play again.
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Former Chiefs first five-eighth and New Zealand under-20s assistant David Hill will join the backroom staff as an assistant coach, the Chiefs announced when revealing their coaching line-up for next season on Friday.
Hill will join the unit of forwards coach Neil Barnes, defence coach Tabai Matson, attack coach Roger Randle, scrum coach Nick White, and resource coach Andrew Strawbridge, who have all stayed on after last season.
So, the same as last year, with Gatland making changes in 2021?
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Former Chiefs first five-eighth and New Zealand under-20s assistant David Hill will join the backroom staff as an assistant coach, the Chiefs announced when revealing their coaching line-up for next season on Friday.
Hill will join the unit of forwards coach Neil Barnes, defence coach Tabai Matson, attack coach Roger Randle, scrum coach Nick White, and resource coach Andrew Strawbridge, who have all stayed on after last season.
So, the same as last year, with Gatland making changes in 2021?
@Tim said in Chiefs 2020:
Former Chiefs first five-eighth and New Zealand under-20s assistant David Hill will join the backroom staff as an assistant coach, the Chiefs announced when revealing their coaching line-up for next season on Friday.
Hill will join the unit of forwards coach Neil Barnes, defence coach Tabai Matson, attack coach Roger Randle, scrum coach Nick White, and resource coach Andrew Strawbridge, who have all stayed on after last season.
So, the same as last year, with Gatland making changes in 2021?
Last year as in 2018?
I'm happy that Barnes is back in charge of the forwards as moving him to the defence coach this year was a mistake. White did well as the scrum coach but I didn't think the forwards performed as well when he became the forwards coach.
Matson was the attack coach so he now has a change of role. AFAIK Strawbridge was the defence coach before the reshuffle. I had thought he was being moved aside when he took over Waikato.
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@Tim said in Chiefs 2020:
Former Chiefs first five-eighth and New Zealand under-20s assistant David Hill will join the backroom staff as an assistant coach, the Chiefs announced when revealing their coaching line-up for next season on Friday.
Hill will join the unit of forwards coach Neil Barnes, defence coach Tabai Matson, attack coach Roger Randle, scrum coach Nick White, and resource coach Andrew Strawbridge, who have all stayed on after last season.
So, the same as last year, with Gatland making changes in 2021?
Last year as in 2018?
I'm happy that Barnes is back in charge of the forwards as moving him to the defence coach this year was a mistake. White did well as the scrum coach but I didn't think the forwards performed as well when he became the forwards coach.
Matson was the attack coach so he now has a change of role. AFAIK Strawbridge was the defence coach before the reshuffle. I had thought he was being moved aside when he took over Waikato.
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Bloody hell I just realised how little attention I paid to Super Rugby and the chiefs last year. Did the Chiefs make the playoffs??
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Bloody hell I just realised how little attention I paid to Super Rugby and the chiefs last year. Did the Chiefs make the playoffs??
@Baron-Silas-Greenback yes. Played quarters against Jaguares and lost by 4 I think.
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I'm a bit concerned actually that in the rush to grab Gatland the Chiefs have got themselves in a mess coaching wise.
Gatland hasn't chosen this team, he is coming in and running a team already in place that seem to have already decided how to run themselves with some role shuffling. Kind of like a new CEO just keeping all the senior management and hoping they can work successfully under him. There is an element of finger crossing here.
Then we have the 2021 situation where either one of these guys will be temporarily standing in as head coach (likely) or someone else will have to come in from outside the group and run it without changing much.
It's just all a bit messy and seems to lock these guys in place for the next couple of years because of the disruption factor.Time will obviously tell but I can't believe that anyone would willingly plan things in this manner so that in 2022 Gats can form his own coaching team and push on. Just looks like a 2 year holding pattern to me.
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I'm a bit concerned actually that in the rush to grab Gatland the Chiefs have got themselves in a mess coaching wise.
Gatland hasn't chosen this team, he is coming in and running a team already in place that seem to have already decided how to run themselves with some role shuffling. Kind of like a new CEO just keeping all the senior management and hoping they can work successfully under him. There is an element of finger crossing here.
Then we have the 2021 situation where either one of these guys will be temporarily standing in as head coach (likely) or someone else will have to come in from outside the group and run it without changing much.
It's just all a bit messy and seems to lock these guys in place for the next couple of years because of the disruption factor.Time will obviously tell but I can't believe that anyone would willingly plan things in this manner so that in 2022 Gats can form his own coaching team and push on. Just looks like a 2 year holding pattern to me.
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What is a Resource coach anyway? Is that some odd term for a skills coach? Making sure the players have the skill resources to play the style required? I have no idea.
None of these assistants fill me with glee as a stand in for 2021.
The only other option is that the NZRU have an idea in mind as a stand in head coach. Someone happy to continue Gats plans and not change much. -
What is a Resource coach anyway? Is that some odd term for a skills coach? Making sure the players have the skill resources to play the style required? I have no idea.
None of these assistants fill me with glee as a stand in for 2021.
The only other option is that the NZRU have an idea in mind as a stand in head coach. Someone happy to continue Gats plans and not change much. -
@Crucial Resource coaches are usually a pool of specialist coaches who are involved with NZ rugby teams (U20s, NZS, Black Ferns, etc) as required. I assume that NZR pays their salaries.
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/117289820/aaron-cruden-to-be-revealed-as-chiefs-big-signing-for-2020-super-rugby-season
Aaron Cruden's return to the Chiefs will be confirmed when the Super Rugby squads are announced on Tuesday.As Stuff revealed in September, the former All Blacks first-five was in line for a shock return to New Zealand.
The deal for him to spend 2020 back at the Chiefs has been completed and he's set to be the key player in the Warren Gatland coached team next year.
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/117289820/aaron-cruden-to-be-revealed-as-chiefs-big-signing-for-2020-super-rugby-season
Aaron Cruden's return to the Chiefs will be confirmed when the Super Rugby squads are announced on Tuesday.As Stuff revealed in September, the former All Blacks first-five was in line for a shock return to New Zealand.
The deal for him to spend 2020 back at the Chiefs has been completed and he's set to be the key player in the Warren Gatland coached team next year.
The Gallagher Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby Union have announced today former Gallagher Chiefs co-captain and All Black Aaron Cruden has signed with the Gallagher Chiefs for 2020.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/aaron-cruden-signs-new-deal-with-the-gallagher-chiefs
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Even if he doesn't wear the 10 Jersey much, he has alot to give back to NZ rugby.
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Even if he doesn't wear the 10 Jersey much, he has alot to give back to NZ rugby.
@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2020:
Even if he doesn't wear the 10 Jersey much, he has alot to give back to NZ rugby.
Glad to see him back but I have to wonder what the plan is here. Cruden is back for one year in a position we haven’t really recruited well for. Is he a stopgap while we find someone or cross fingers? Is he here to mentor someone else?
I hope I’m wrong but this all looks like part of the holding pattern the Chiefs look to be in with an in and out coach and muddled recruitment
