Chiefs 2023
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
I was about to mention those 2 who I though had great NPC's.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
Pretty good hit out against the Blues, all the "name" players for the Chiefs looked good/had impact and the Chiefs as expected were very good around the field and in open play.
Set piece a bit of a worry, scrum and lineout both struggled and there appears to be a lack of depth in the tight 5. Hopefully we can plug some gaps and develop some depth there as the season goes on.
Depth in the tight five is ample at lock. We are stacked in that area with Retallick, Vaa'i, Lord (all ABs) supported by Ah Kuoi, MSR (proven effective at this level) and McWhannell.
Three decent hookers as well. Until Angus comes back we are a bit light in the props.
I don't think there is a lack of depth overall (especially compared to some squads)
Ollie Norris & George Dyer look very promising in addition to the more experienced Aiden Ross, Atu Moli.
McMillian will use Ah Kuoi at 6, little benefit having him fight McPhannell, Lord, MSR, over a second row spot.
-adding to the fact he was the best 6 in the tournament last year for the Bay makes it an obvious selection.
Best 6 in the NPC? That's debatable.
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
@Canes4life And Marino Mikaele-Tu'u for the Magpies.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Isn't it more relevant how he performed in comparison to the other Chiefs options?
Exactly.
I am expecting Ah Kuoi to start at 6, based on McMillan's previous comments and that he played there in Pukekohe. That would allow the Chiefs to have two loose forwards on the bench, likely PGS and Boshier (to avoid having to use Jacobson at openside).
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Isn't it more relevant how he performed in comparison to the other Chiefs options?
Yes, but I think the posts above are reacting to the claim he was the best 6 in the comp, not where his is placed amongst his fellow Chiefs.
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@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Isn't it more relevant how he performed in comparison to the other Chiefs options?
Yes, but I think the posts above are reacting to the claim he was the best 6 in the comp, not where his is placed amongst his fellow Chiefs.
@Nepia said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:
Isn't it more relevant how he performed in comparison to the other Chiefs options?
Yes, but I think the posts above are reacting to the claim he was the best 6 in the comp, not where his is placed amongst his fellow Chiefs.
Those feckers can feck off from this fecking Chiefs thread
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
Yep, but I reckon Delany & Ah Kuoi look to have the greatest ceiling of those mentioned and probably be more effective than Gardiner at international level, Gardiner's your typical Crusaders player, honest hard grafter, clears rucks, makes his tackles, but probably isn't dynamic enough to dominate at the highest level - Thorne 2.0!
When talking player's ceiling more referring to how it's possible to coach things like work-rate, attitude, game smarts & awareness, into physically talented players, but it's hard to take limited players and get them playing above their physical limitations at test level. Thorne, Blackadder, Ralph, Bridge, Havili, Christie (is a tackling machine, but literally nothing else), so there's my little Crusaders rant for the day.
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
Yep, but I reckon Delany & Ah Kuoi look to have the greatest ceiling of those mentioned and probably be more effective than Gardiner at international level, Gardiner's your typical Crusaders player, honest hard grafter, clears rucks, makes his tackles, but probably isn't dynamic enough to dominate at the highest level - Thorne 2.0!
When talking player's ceiling more referring to how it's possible to coach things like work-rate, attitude, game smarts & awareness, into physically talented players, but it's hard to take limited players and get them playing above their physical limitations at test level. Thorne, Blackadder, Ralph, Bridge, Havili, Christie (is a tackling machine, but literally nothing else), so there's my little Crusaders rant for the day.
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
Yep, but I reckon Delany & Ah Kuoi look to have the greatest ceiling of those mentioned and probably be more effective than Gardiner at international level, Gardiner's your typical Crusaders player, honest hard grafter, clears rucks, makes his tackles, but probably isn't dynamic enough to dominate at the highest level - Thorne 2.0!
When talking player's ceiling more referring to how it's possible to coach things like work-rate, attitude, game smarts & awareness, into physically talented players, but it's hard to take limited players and get them playing above their physical limitations at test level. Thorne, Blackadder, Ralph, Bridge, Havili, Christie (is a tackling machine, but literally nothing else), so there's my little Crusaders rant for the day.
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since that Tito's joined the Blues I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn the Blues pack into something scary.
Don't under estimate Dave Perrin as forward coach at the Crusaders he served under Ryan a fair bit and he will carry on where Ryan left off.
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@Canes4life said in Chiefs 2023:
Caleb Delany was pretty impressive for the Lions, and Dominic Gardiner for Canterbury.
Yep, but I reckon Delany & Ah Kuoi look to have the greatest ceiling of those mentioned and probably be more effective than Gardiner at international level, Gardiner's your typical Crusaders player, honest hard grafter, clears rucks, makes his tackles, but probably isn't dynamic enough to dominate at the highest level - Thorne 2.0!
When talking player's ceiling more referring to how it's possible to coach things like work-rate, attitude, game smarts & awareness, into physically talented players, but it's hard to take limited players and get them playing above their physical limitations at test level. Thorne, Blackadder, Ralph, Bridge, Havili, Christie (is a tackling machine, but literally nothing else), so there's my little Crusaders rant for the day.
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
You may be right, but I imagine Tito will significantly improve the Blues lineout and maul defense, one of their major weak points last season.
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@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
You may be right, but I imagine Tito will significantly improve the Blues lineout and maul defense, one of their major weak points last season.
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
You may be right, but I imagine Tito will significantly improve the Blues lineout and maul defense, one of their major weak points last season.
I keep hearing this. Can you please enlighten me are to why Tito is the new messiah? Not disputing it, just have a knowledge gap.
Edit: I know his history and results, my comment is more around the Blues having Coventry already who is a very highly rated forwards coach. I can't see that Tito is filling a void or will make a huge difference. It's not like he has brought along a van of Georgian props.
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@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
Very serious issues at lock with only two specialists fit.
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@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2023:
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2023:
Anyway, I predicted Chiefs would win this season after the squads & news that Schmidt was leaving the Blues brain's trust, but since then Tito's joined the Blues so I'm not as confident, the Crusaders have lost Ryan and the best coached pack may end up winning, Blues & Chiefs can equally match Crusaders upfront, however I fear Tito could prove to be the difference, he could turn this Blues pack into something formidable.
To me the Chiefs and Crusaders packs look a level above the Blues pack. Blues have serious issues at lock and hooker.
Very serious issues at lock with only two specialists fit.
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@Crucial Cameron suafoa and Patrick tuipolotu to start at lock both big bodies with even bigger guy of bench if he is given the nod ,Sam darry injured still have James tucker in squad
@george33 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial Cameron suafoa and Patrick tuipolotu to start at lock both big bodies with even bigger guy of bench if he is given the nod ,Sam darry injured still have James tucker in squad
Tucker, Darry and PT the only specialist locks though. Also the only ones I would count as experienced at this level.
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@george33 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial Cameron suafoa and Patrick tuipolotu to start at lock both big bodies with even bigger guy of bench if he is given the nod ,Sam darry injured still have James tucker in squad
Tucker, Darry and PT the only specialist locks though. Also the only ones I would count as experienced at this level.
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@Crucial true but most squads have 2 or 3 experienced locks at most then some younger guys and blues have 2 big locks in reserve which will get game time I'd say
@george33 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial true but most squads have 2 or 3 experienced locks at most then some younger guys and blues have 2 big locks in reserve which will get game time I'd say
I think you are missing the point that the Blues have only 3 locks in total. Suafoa (or any other big guy) are loosie/locks .
Someone will now argue that Robinson is a lock/loosieChiefs - 5 locks (3 ABs), 1 Lock/Loosie. All six experienced at lock in Super
Canes - 3 locks, 2 Lock/Loosies. All 5 experienced at lock in Super
Crusaders - 5 locks (2 ABs), 1 Lock/Loosie, 1 Loosie/Lock. 6 experienced at lock in SuperI don't think a comment that the Blues are light in the lock department is far off the mark when you look at that.
Blues - 3 locks (1 AB), 2 loosie/locks
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@george33 said in Chiefs 2023:
@Crucial true but most squads have 2 or 3 experienced locks at most then some younger guys and blues have 2 big locks in reserve which will get game time I'd say
I think you are missing the point that the Blues have only 3 locks in total. Suafoa (or any other big guy) are loosie/locks .
Someone will now argue that Robinson is a lock/loosieChiefs - 5 locks (3 ABs), 1 Lock/Loosie. All six experienced at lock in Super
Canes - 3 locks, 2 Lock/Loosies. All 5 experienced at lock in Super
Crusaders - 5 locks (2 ABs), 1 Lock/Loosie, 1 Loosie/Lock. 6 experienced at lock in SuperI don't think a comment that the Blues are light in the lock department is far off the mark when you look at that.
Blues - 3 locks (1 AB), 2 loosie/locks
