Chiefs v Highlanders

[Kiwiwomble]

there it is, Fakatava starting

interesting Hunt back to 15 so quickly, not mad as he played well there last year, i imagine we'll see a hunt to 10 and Alaimalo to 15 in the second half

[SouthernMann]

Disappointed to see Hunt at fullback. I thought perhaps it might be a shitty forecast for Friday and the Highlanders were expecting a kicking game, but the weather looks good.

Still would like to see TUJ get a run, but sounds like he had a good Christmas.

Excited to see Fakatava start, certainly shows we are doing everything we can to keep him in blue and gold.

[Kiwiwomble]

@southernmann agreed, i'd like to see TUG replace Sio

[Yeetyaah]

I hope Alaimalo plays like shit

[Kiwiwomble]

@yeetyaah fresh legs late in the game with something to prove?...length of the field intercept try to win it

[Yeetyaah]

@kiwiwomble bahaha fuck I'll be salty

[Bovidae]

@kiwiwomble Just as likely to come on and get injured.

[Stargazer]

@kiwiwomble said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

there it is, Fakatava starting

Wow, didn't see that coming. Well, not so soon, anyway! Can't wait to see how he goes!

[KiwiMurph]

Stories come out in the press of teams chasing Fakatava - nek minnit - he's starting!

(and yes I know Tony Brown has talked at length about giving him more opportunities this year)

[Machpants]

@kiwimurph said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Stories come out in the press of teams chasing Fakatava - nek minnit - he's starting!

(and yes I know Tony Brown has talked at length about giving him more opportunities this year)

Yeah a nice carrot.

Also it is only the 0-8 Chiefs

[Crucial]

@kiwimurph said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Stories come out in the press of teams chasing Fakatava - nek minnit - he's starting!

(and yes I know Tony Brown has talked at length about giving him more opportunities this year)

Didn’t Smith just talk about an agreement to manage his workload?

If they are going to do that then they need to get the next halfback going don’t they?

[KiwiMurph]

@crucial yeah my comment was in jest.

[Stargazer]

Here's hoping Weber starts for the Chiefs. Nice little battle between two Magpies halfbacks within the bigger battle between the Chiefs and Landers.

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@kiwiwomble Just as likely to come on and get injured.

Nah Caleb Clarke isn't playing.

[Crucial]

@stargazer said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Here's hoping Weber starts for the Chiefs. Nice little battle between two Magpies halfbacks within the bigger battle between the Chiefs and Landers.

Minor union excitement

[Kiwiwomble]

@crucial we could add some "former Otago and unwanted by the Highlanders Weber" into the mix and make it a multi minor union grudge match

[Stargazer]

@crucial said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@stargazer said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Here's hoping Weber starts for the Chiefs. Nice little battle between two Magpies halfbacks within the bigger battle between the Chiefs and Landers.

Minor Premiership union excitement

FIFY

@Kiwiwomble Leaving Otago was the best thing Weber ever did. Didn't you say yesterday that Otago has never been able to get out of the Championship? :smiling_face_with_horns:

[Kiwiwomble]

@stargazer i agree, i was always a bit dark he didn't get a shot with the Landers and that really screwed Otago being able to keep hold of him, obviously Smith has proven the better choice in the long run but still

still love it when he does the Dunedin RFC shark fin

[Yeetyaah]

Gallagher Chiefs:

1. Reuben O’Neill (10)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (36)
3. Sione Mafileo*
4. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (12)
6. Samipeni Finau**
7. Sam Cane (122) (cc)
8. Luke Jacobson (25)
9. Brad Weber (85) (cc)
10. Bryn Gatland*
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo (14)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (81)
13. Sean Wainui (38)
14. Jonah Lowe*
15. Damian McKenzie (84)

Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater (15)
17. Ollie Norris (4)
18. Angus Ta’avao (35)
19. Mitchell Brown (45)
20. Mitchell Karpik (29)
21. Xavier Roe**
22. Alex Nankivell (32)
23. Shaun Stevenson (52)

[Yeetyaah]

Unavailable for selection:
Atu Moli (hips), Aidan Ross (knee), Laghlan McWhannell (knee), Lachlan Boshier (foot), Pita Gus Sowakula (knee), Kaleb Trask (knee), Quinn Tupaea (hamstring), Chase Tiatia (concussion)