Chiefs 2021
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Agree with @gt12
Sowakula has the physical attributes (big, fast) but hasn't shown any consistency yet. His biggest issue is ball control, often losing the ball in contact. Watch the start of the Moana Pasifika-Maori game as an example.
The Chiefs have selected two young no.8s in the squad (Parker, K Boshier) but neither are ready yet.
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Agree with @gt12
Sowakula has the physical attributes (big, fast) but hasn't shown any consistency yet. His biggest issue is ball control, often losing the ball in contact. Watch the start of the Moana Pasifika-Maori game as an example.
The Chiefs have selected two young no.8s in the squad (Parker, K Boshier) but neither are ready yet.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2021:
Agree with @gt12
Sowakula has the physical attributes (big, fast) but hasn't shown any consistency yet. His biggest issue is ball control, often losing the ball in contact. Watch the start of the Moana Pasifika-Maori game as an example.
The Chiefs have selected two young no.8s in the squad (Parker, K Boshier) but neither are ready yet.
He does have a bit Shield's disease (i.e., tits for hands).
I didn't realize that he was also converted winger, which might be another reason why he isn't as comfortable with his handling in traffic.If we had a few better pieces around the forward pack (e.g. one more quality prop, BBBR back), I could see PGS as a really valuable role player, which will had plenty of 10 years ago when we were a Championship side.
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Sky have replayed the 2012 and 2013 SR finals over recent months so I recorded both. I watched the 2012 final last week and the likes of Kane Thompson were very important pieces of that team. But that side was based around no-name players plucked from the regions.
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Placeholder who shouldn't be starting, and, if I were honest, should take the money overseas and turn out for Fiji. He's a fantastic athlete (originally a Basketballer) and does a reasonable job for us at this level, but he won't be an AB.
Further, IMO Jacobson is a better 8, is younger, and has a bigger future. Sowakula off the bench would be my preferred way of using him, but perhaps Jacobson 6, Cane 7, and Sowakula at 8 will be needed - especially if we have to run out a short and light second row again (i.e., basically running out five loose forwards).
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Who is the most likely candidate for the second coming of Maori Jesus? Tupaea, Sullivan or Pohipi?
@mofitzy_ said in Chiefs 2021:
Who is the most likely candidate for the second coming of Maori Jesus? Tupaea, Sullivan or Pohipi?
ALB is already here.
To be a bit more serious, no one around (in this team) comes close in terms of natural versatility and capability to be effective in multiple positions. Given that Maori Jesus was effective at 12, 13, 15, and could cover both wings, we’re miles away from having someone like that.
Its been a while since there has been a player like that around. I guess Havili is the closest at the moment? Or perhaps Goosen, who is a bit down the class scale compared to those two.
Or Jordie perhaps.
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ALB is Samoan, isn't he?
Agree on versatility. Havili and Jordie could probably play 10-15, though not world class in most of those positions.
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@mofitzy_ yeah he is, not Māori. Might have been before my time on the fern, who was the OG Māori jesus?
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@mofitzy_ said in Chiefs 2021:
Who is the most likely candidate for the second coming of Maori Jesus? Tupaea, Sullivan or Pohipi?
ALB is already here.
To be a bit more serious, no one around (in this team) comes close in terms of natural versatility and capability to be effective in multiple positions. Given that Maori Jesus was effective at 12, 13, 15, and could cover both wings, we’re miles away from having someone like that.
Its been a while since there has been a player like that around. I guess Havili is the closest at the moment? Or perhaps Goosen, who is a bit down the class scale compared to those two.
Or Jordie perhaps.
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@Yeetyaah Charlie Ngatai IIRC.
@Crazy-Horse ah yeah old Chizz.
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@gt12 I don't remember Charlie playing on the wing.
Tiatia would be the utility back in this squad as he can play 11-15. Samoan Jesus.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2021:
@gt12 I don't remember Charlie playing on the wing.
Tiatia would be the utility back in this squad as he can play 11-15. Samoan Jesus.
Tiatia probably rates as one of the disciples at best.
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It says a lot if the best we’ve got for that role is Tiatia.
I’m hoping that we won’t be the worst NZ Super rugby side. I’m not holding out much hope though, the landers seem to have a few more better pieces in key positions.
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
It says a lot if the best we’ve got for that role is Tiatia.
I’m hoping that we won’t be the worst NZ Super rugby side. I’m not holding out much hope though, the landers seem to have a few more better pieces in key positions.
Should have made the alignment with the Magpies and not the Naki.
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It says a lot if the best we’ve got for that role is Tiatia.
I’m hoping that we won’t be the worst NZ Super rugby side. I’m not holding out much hope though, the landers seem to have a few more better pieces in key positions.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2021:
It says a lot if the best we’ve got for that role is Tiatia.
Tiatia has one advantage over Ngatai - he's usually fit to play.
Good point.
I guess my underlying point is that when we got Rennie, he brought with him some fantastic pieces.
In McMillan’s case, they to be a bit less than fantastic.
I’m probably being unfair, but I’m pretty down on the Chiefs at the moment.
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Some big decisions to make about the Chiefs starting backline. I'd say the only certainties are Weber, Trask, ALB, Wainui and DMac.
My guess is something like this:
9 Weber
10 Trask
11 Nanai-Seturo
12 Nankivell
13 ALB
14 Wainui
15 DMacI think Wainui will be one of the wingers (left or right) but the other could be Stevenson, Nanai-Seturo or Lowe.
