Chiefs 2023
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I didn't take much notice when the draw came out but after the first round win the Chiefs have a pretty good draw to establish a high table placing.
MP, Landers, Rebels, Tahs...
Some AB resting needs to happen before April though with Blues, Canes, Saders
All in all a draw that would be quite good to plan a campaign on.
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Not sure if previously posted: https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/chiefs-star-sione-mafileo-training-injury-46123
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@pakman There was never any detail released about Mafileo's injury, other than it was a serious neck injury. Given he didn't play in the NPC last year either I doubt he'll be rushing back, especially for a prop.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:
@pakman There was never any detail released about Mafileo's injury, other than it was a serious neck injury. Given he didn't play in the NPC last year either I doubt he'll be rushing back, especially for a prop.
Crazy to come back before spine stabilised and neck muscles fully rebuilt.
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All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown is set for another month on the sidelines. Originally expected to miss three Super Rugby Pacific games for the Chiefs after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the season-opening win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, a slower than anticipated recovery means the 27-year-old now won’t take the park until after the team’s round-seven bye.
Meanwhile, All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i is set to miss one to two weeks for the Chiefs due to a low-grade MCL knee injury.
And Lalamilo Lalamilo is Tupaea's replacement in the squad.
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This Chiefs side look in the midst of something truly special this season, the more you watch them, the more you feel the stars are surely aligning again for their first title in exactly a decade 2013-2023...
I mean you only have to look at the age profile of their squad to see how perfectly things have been building towards this season over the last 3-4 years, the growth of Narawa & Nanai-Seturo has been very noticeable, Narawa has developed into an incredibly well rounded player since leaving the Blues, both at 23 they are now approaching their best years after initially struggling to find their feet (as many do in early 20's) in Super Rugby 2020/21.
Add to that the brilliantly astute game-management from a refined Damian McKenzie after a season directing Suntory's backline in Japan, the indispensable experience and consistency of ultimate team-man Brad Weber, in addition to the combative energy and outstanding physicality of Ratima off the bench, a vastly matured Shaun Stevenson right in his pomp at 26 years of age, a forward pack profile with a great mixture of gritty hard working leaders by example such as Aiden Ross, Rettalick, Cane, Jacobson, in compliment with big powerful ball-carriers & bruising enforcers such as Samisoni, Finau, PGS, Ah Kuoi, Vaa'ii, etc.
The Chiefs have an impressive team spine 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, with experienced leaders in crucial positions & excellent depth across the board, I hope they can go one better in 2023 and avenge that grand final loss of 2021 - even more fitting if against the same foe.
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This Chiefs side look in the midst of something truly special this season, the more you watch them, the more you feel the stars are surely aligning again for their first title in exactly a decade 2013-2023...
I mean you only have to look at the age profile of their squad to see how perfectly things have been building towards this season over the last 3-4 years, the growth of Narawa & Nanai-Seturo has been very noticeable, Narawa has developed into an incredibly well rounded player since leaving the Blues, both at 23 they are now approaching their best years after initially struggling to find their feet (as many do in early 20's) in Super Rugby 2020/21.
Add to that the brilliantly astute game-management from a refined Damian McKenzie after a season directing Suntory's backline in Japan, the indispensable experience and consistency of ultimate team-man Brad Weber, in addition to the combative energy and outstanding physicality of Ratima off the bench, a vastly matured Shaun Stevenson right in his pomp at 26 years of age, a forward pack profile with a great mixture of gritty hard working leaders by example such as Aiden Ross, Rettalick, Cane, Jacobson, in compliment with big powerful ball-carriers & bruising enforcers such as Samisoni, Finau, PGS, Ah Kuoi, Vaa'ii, etc.
The Chiefs have an impressive team spine 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, with experienced leaders in crucial positions & excellent depth across the board, I hope they can go one better in 2023 and avenge that grand final loss of 2021 - even more fitting if against the same foe.
@kiwi_expat looking promising so far but 5 or 6 All Blacks injured already. Can't afford any more injuries in some positions.
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@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2023:
I'm not used to the Chiefs being this good tbh...quite a culture shock really.
Thanks for that Mr Gatland
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It looks like a July return via the NPC for Tupaea.
@Bovidae I can totally understand him still being angry about it. It was disgusting what Swain did and he only missed three games, while Tupaea has been out for a very long time and is likely to miss the RWC. Not to mention the physical pain and what it did to him mentally.
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@Bovidae I can totally understand him still being angry about it. It was disgusting what Swain did and he only missed three games, while Tupaea has been out for a very long time and is likely to miss the RWC. Not to mention the physical pain and what it did to him mentally.
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae I can totally understand him still being angry about it. It was disgusting what Swain did and he only missed three games, while Tupaea has been out for a very long time and is likely to miss the RWC. Not to mention the physical pain and what it did to him mentally.
and it sounds like (from that video) he's not going to be 100% on that leg again into the future.
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I don't see any of the local Chiefs players listed to play in Waikato club rugby tomorrow. Maybe some of the others have returned to their home province to play. Josh Lord must be getting close to returning.
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@Bovidae perhaps most of them will be playing against the blues A in the curtain raiser before the main game
@cliff said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae perhaps most of them will be playing against the blues A in the curtain raiser before the main game
I didn't realise there was another Dev match, as the Chiefs don't publicise these games. I might go along earlier then.
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@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae awesome to see wrampling and lord
Yes, it will be interesting to see how they go.
Punivai is another full squad member not involved.
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@ploughboy said in Chiefs 2023:
@Bovidae awesome to see wrampling and lord
Yes, it will be interesting to see how they go.
Punivai is another full squad member not involved.
