Chiefs vs Blues 2022

[Chris]

Confirmed Clarke suspended for 3 weeks.Interesting that must now change players leaping to attempt a charge down.
Probably will see it again as it is an instinctive reaction trying to charge down kicks that way,It will make the box kick etc a more potent weapon.

[KiwiMurph]

@chris The end on footage seemed to show Clarke jumping into the running line of the MP winger (rather than straight up) and he lifted his knees up. Box kicks are different in that the kicker is stationary as opposed to this situation where the kicker is running forward after the chip kick.

[Chris]

@kiwimurph said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

@chris The end on footage seemed to show Clarke jumping into the running line of the MP winger (rather than straight up) and he lifted his knees up. Box kicks are different in that the kicker is stationary as opposed to this situation where the kicker is running forward after the chip kick.

They are but still leaping gives a chance for head contact,Well weighted box kicks still bring the defender forward.A risk these days, it might make players hesitant.

[Duluth]

There's a team with a lot of brackets that was posted on the official Aussie rugby page

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungfasi, Luke Romano, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke/Mark Telea, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea/Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, TBC

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Tanieu Tele'a, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens/AJ Lam

Clarke not available, so I presume that means Telea/Lam/JRK back three? Zarn injured? Barrett?

[Bovidae]

One thing about the Chiefs team is that Moli must be considered a LH now, as Dyer is preferred ahead of him for the reserve TH.

[Dice]

@duluth Looking at the bench, there is no 10 cover, so I'm guessing FB is either Sullivan or Beauden?

Might be good for BB to be at fullback for a bit so he doesn't need to do much tackling. Once he's comfortable, move back to 10.

[Stargazer]

https://twitter.com/BluesRugbyTeam/status/1511872873635672064

[Duluth]

[Duluth]

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/50th-blues-cap-for-captain-papalii

Players not considered: Akira Ioane, Nepo Laulala, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Zarn Sullivan.

[KiwiMurph]

Conditions look really good for Saturday - you'd think it should be a good crowd as a Saturday game and some big names playing for both sides.

Excellent to see Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens get a start in a big game like this - it must be remembered he's still only 20 years old.

[Old Samurai Jack]

Two strong sides, really looking forward to this. Could be a defining game for either side.

[taniwharugby]

Tele'a probably a bit lucky to stay on the bench.

[Yeetyaah]

@crucial eh?

Unavailable for selection:
Reuben O’Neill, Gideon Wrampling, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Brodie Retallick, Josh Ioane, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa’i

[nzzp]

@old-samurai-jack said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

Two strong sides, really looking forward to this. Could be a defining game for either side.

going to be a cracker I reckon, can't wait

[taniwharugby]

@nzzp I think the quality seems to be slowly improving too.

I think the disruptions from covid over this season and even last year, NPC in particular has taken its toll, but hopefully with that all but behind us now....

[Duluth]

Big couple of games for Robinson. I know he's had some niggles this year but his output is way down on his normal standards. Then there's his brain farts in the last Chiefs game

Needs to show something before the return of Ioane, plus Plumtree has been in better form. Hopefully MacDonald has put the pressure on him

[Crucial]

@yeetyaah said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

@crucial eh?

Unavailable for selection:
Reuben O’Neill, Gideon Wrampling, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Brodie Retallick, Josh Ioane, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa’i

badly written by me

I meant that I would prefer that some of the unavailable were playing

[Crucial]

@nzzp said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

@old-samurai-jack said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

Two strong sides, really looking forward to this. Could be a defining game for either side.

going to be a cracker I reckon, can't wait

With those team listings I would say that the 'on paper' favourite is the Blues.

[KiwiMurph]

Chiefs bench scrum could cause Blues problems - Dyer and Norris are superior scrummagers to Renata and Lay.

[nzzp]

@crucial said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

@nzzp said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

@old-samurai-jack said in Chiefs vs Blues 2022:

Two strong sides, really looking forward to this. Could be a defining game for either side.

going to be a cracker I reckon, can't wait

With those team listings I would say that the 'on paper' favourite is the Blues.

not in a derby game in the Tron. OUr record there is woeful. You don't get to claim underdog status that easily, not after you shoulda won last time eh