Chiefs v Crusaders

Crucial

I'm surprised to see Lalomilo Lalomilo in the reserves, as he has been injured for a while. Wrampling could have been used again. Otherwise a largely predictable team with some other players to return next week.

I would have expected Wrampling as well unless ALB was ready.

Geez this is a strong battle. On form and reputation this is a final before the final. Saders will be desperate to equal the score. A loss for them and a win for the Brumbies could well decide the home advantage at the business end

george33

@Stargazer thought razor said Jordan next week? Or week after that

Duluth

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

Crucial

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

It's more likely that each player was asked to identify with a list of cultures. If he only ticked a Māori box that is what they used.His choice. No big deal and it's all subjective anyway.

Crazy Horse

That Crusaders backline shouldn't be giving the Chiefs too many nightmares, especially 9, 13,14 and 15.

gt12

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

Mo’unga isn’t a kiwi either apparently.

Frank

@Crucial said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Apparently Tamaiti is a Maori but not a New Zealander

I think the other guys with Maori flags have recent pakeha heritage too.

I think ‘Williams’ has Pakeha heritage too

I’d be surprised if they are using the NZ flag as a Pakeha flag. I think it’s just a fuckup

It's more likely that each player was asked to identify with a list of cultures. If he only ticked a Māori box that is what they used. His choice. No big deal and it's all subjective anyway.

If they identify as French, can they play for France? Sounds legit!

Stargazer

The GOM content is high in the comments here!

Bones

Oh come the fuck on! How has Ennor fooled all his coaches that he's a centre? He's a bloody good winger with obvious shortcomings at centre, so let's throw McLeod on the wing in the hopes he can emulate Jordie's success.

cgrant

No Josh Lord. Maybe Ah Kuoi's versatility won him a place on the bench ?

antipodean

@Stargazer That's a pretty underwhelming backline. Especially in the centres. The Crusaders forwards will have to be at their ~~cheating~~ competitive best to carry Drummond's service to Mo'unga, who will have to do almost everything himself.

kiwi_expat

@antipodean Sevu carries the Crusaders backline, they sorely miss him.

Bovidae

@cgrant said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

No Josh Lord. Maybe Ah Kuoi's versatility won him a place on the bench ?

Ah Kuoi will be covering lock and 6 (if required). I would expect Lord to play another club game and be involved next week. A good chance he'll start against the Reds in NP the week after.

kiwi_expat

@antipodean said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Stargazer That's a pretty underwhelming backline. Especially in the centres. The Crusaders forwards will have to be at their ~~cheating~~ competitive best to carry Drummond's service to Mo'unga, who will have to do almost everything himself.

The Chiefs cannot even find room for future superstar Gideon Wrampling in the 23, meanwhile the Crusaders are so bereft of backs they are forced to start Ennor in the midfield and the slow draught horse McLeod on the wing. It strikingly illustrates the sheer disparity in talent between the teams!

Bovidae

And yet the Crusaders have more ABs in their starting XV than the Chiefs.

Old Samurai Jack

@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@antipodean said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Stargazer That's a pretty underwhelming backline. Especially in the centres. The Crusaders forwards will have to be at their ~~cheating~~ competitive best to carry Drummond's service to Mo'unga, who will have to do almost everything himself.

The Chiefs cannot even find room for future superstar Gideon Wrampling in the 23, meanwhile Crusaders are so bereft of backs they're forced to start Ennor in the midfield and the slow draught horse McLeod on the wing. Just shows the sheer disparity in talent between the teams!

Whilst I agree about the difference in talent, I also have been very surprised by McLeod this year. He has looked anything but a slow draught horse. We will be wiser after Saturday I suspect.

kiwi_expat

@Bovidae

Crucial

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

And yet the Crusaders have more ABs in their starting XV than the Chiefs.

And more AB coaches in the box

Dan54

You know that this has got the makings of a good one. Even fans like me who is a dyed in the wool Cane's man keeps thinking this game is the match of weekend, and yet Canes have a game equally as important against Brumbies. I personally love it looking forward to it all.

Mattasaurus

Really looking forward to this one. I think it will be Saders 1 -12. But don't really care, just want a high quality game of code to enjoy!

The Silver Fern

Chiefs v Crusaders