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Chiefs 2020

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
chiefs
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  • CrucialC Crucial

    @Victor-Meldrew said in Chiefs 2020:

    @Bones said in Chiefs 2020:

    @Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2020:

    shit in my hands and clap

    I feel like this has been DMac's go to move this SRA.

    Yeah, he's not been good. Don't doubt his physical courage, but he seems to have lost his bottle when on attack since his return from injury.

    Makes me wonder if his injury has affected him mentally and he doesn't quite trust his body yet. That said, there were some nice touches from him today.

    It looks to me that he isn't playing on instinct. As much as some like to throw the headless chook argument around he is currently looking to pass before he has even had a crack a lot of the time.
    Is this a lack of confidence, a reaction to his critics, a coaching directive or combination of all?

    The thing is though, he isn't alone. ALB has gone from Mr Reliable to 'what is he doing?' on both attack and defence, Cruden went flat after being a little general pre-covid, the wingers lost what flair they had, the loosies all looked like journeymen. Weber has gone from being a sharp danger to his own worst enemy.

    As I used to say to Blues fans, sometimes lack of confidence and a downward spiral can be an easy road to go down and a hard one to turn back on despite the talent at hand or the coaching messages but there really does appear to be some major adjustment problems at the Chiefs with Gatland. I said before he started that I feared he would be a poor fit for them style wise and I am seeing lots of evidence that he is trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole.

    The Chiefs have gone from having a such a lethal attack that other teams were wary of giving them loose ball to having no attack at all. The usually OK defence has opened up in places that it shouldn't.

    Coaching (or coaching style) must be playing some part here.

    NepiaN Offline
    NepiaN Offline
    Nepia
    wrote on last edited by
    #721

    @Crucial Pre-covid they seemed to be playing a Chiefs style game (the same Cooper/Rennie gameplan) and it was working pretty well. After Covid I have no idea what style of game they were playing.

    You say that Cruden went flat, I don't think that's necessarily true, in his return games he was making the half breaks he's known for but there were never any runners.

    I assume Gatland has a gameplan he wants to implement, and it may be a successful one going forward, but clearly the team weren't sure how to do that this SRA.

    This talk about Saraceans players is just idiotic. The Chiefs really need to read the room on that one.

    CrucialC M Magic65M 3 Replies Last reply
    1
    • NepiaN Nepia

      @Crucial Pre-covid they seemed to be playing a Chiefs style game (the same Cooper/Rennie gameplan) and it was working pretty well. After Covid I have no idea what style of game they were playing.

      You say that Cruden went flat, I don't think that's necessarily true, in his return games he was making the half breaks he's known for but there were never any runners.

      I assume Gatland has a gameplan he wants to implement, and it may be a successful one going forward, but clearly the team weren't sure how to do that this SRA.

      This talk about Saraceans players is just idiotic. The Chiefs really need to read the room on that one.

      CrucialC Offline
      CrucialC Offline
      Crucial
      wrote on last edited by
      #722

      @Nepia said in Chiefs 2020:

      @Crucial Pre-covid they seemed to be playing a Chiefs style game (the same Cooper/Rennie gameplan) and it was working pretty well. After Covid I have no idea what style of game they were playing.

      You say that Cruden went flat, I don't think that's necessarily true, in his return games he was making the half breaks he's known for but there were never any runners.

      I assume Gatland has a gameplan he wants to implement, and it may be a successful one going forward, but clearly the team weren't sure how to do that this SRA.

      This talk about Saraceans players is just idiotic. The Chiefs really need to read the room on that one.

      Especially as those Sarries are only desperate for games because they are a bunch of greedy salary cap cheats in the first place.
      They can fuck right off.

      1 Reply Last reply
      3
      • NepiaN Nepia

        @Crucial Pre-covid they seemed to be playing a Chiefs style game (the same Cooper/Rennie gameplan) and it was working pretty well. After Covid I have no idea what style of game they were playing.

        You say that Cruden went flat, I don't think that's necessarily true, in his return games he was making the half breaks he's known for but there were never any runners.

        I assume Gatland has a gameplan he wants to implement, and it may be a successful one going forward, but clearly the team weren't sure how to do that this SRA.

        This talk about Saraceans players is just idiotic. The Chiefs really need to read the room on that one.

        M Offline
        M Offline
        Machpants
        wrote on last edited by
        #723

        @Nepia One thing really noticeable was how deep the backlines were all the time. Not condusive to kiwi style counter attack, really good at getting headless chooks running sideways and getting isolated

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • mariner4lifeM Offline
          mariner4lifeM Offline
          mariner4life
          wrote on last edited by
          #724

          I think there are some damning indictments on the coaching staff

          The attack had no discernible plan, and actually seemed to get less cohesive as the year went on, despite a fair amount of consistent selection in the back line. Most of the time they looked like they met in the carpark, yet had been playing together for weeks.

          The other is linked to the above, the defensive pattern, especially in the backs, was deplorable. We gave up easy try after easy try because the alignment and communication just wasn't there. And it wasn't just after repeated phases, it could be off first phase FFS!

          We definitely lacked power runners. Cane tries hard, but he's a defensive player mainly. Sowakula is hugely over rated. Our 6 options are light weights, our locks are light weights, our front rowers offered fuck all. That is a stick i can't beat the coaches with. But someone has to put together the roster.

          The season was very disappointing. Yes we were in games for a long time, but we were desperately poor for huge amounts of SRA.

          1 Reply Last reply
          4
          • NepiaN Nepia

            @Crucial Pre-covid they seemed to be playing a Chiefs style game (the same Cooper/Rennie gameplan) and it was working pretty well. After Covid I have no idea what style of game they were playing.

            You say that Cruden went flat, I don't think that's necessarily true, in his return games he was making the half breaks he's known for but there were never any runners.

            I assume Gatland has a gameplan he wants to implement, and it may be a successful one going forward, but clearly the team weren't sure how to do that this SRA.

            This talk about Saraceans players is just idiotic. The Chiefs really need to read the room on that one.

            Magic65M Offline
            Magic65M Offline
            Magic65
            wrote on last edited by
            #725

            @Nepia That’s my first reaction as well f%*% that…then after a scone & cuppa….
            Itoje – Let’s not kid ourselves here, that guy’s world class. Who in their right mind wouldn’t even consider having him in their ranks?
            Farrell – A player who tends to take the right options & perhaps a perfect foil for Cruden & ALB. Not a bad player & that’s putting it mildly – guaranteed points.
            -Adds legitimacy to the comp with the question, can these NH heavyweights compete?

            TimT YeetyaahY 2 Replies Last reply
            1
            • Magic65M Magic65

              @Nepia That’s my first reaction as well f%*% that…then after a scone & cuppa….
              Itoje – Let’s not kid ourselves here, that guy’s world class. Who in their right mind wouldn’t even consider having him in their ranks?
              Farrell – A player who tends to take the right options & perhaps a perfect foil for Cruden & ALB. Not a bad player & that’s putting it mildly – guaranteed points.
              -Adds legitimacy to the comp with the question, can these NH heavyweights compete?

              TimT Offline
              TimT Offline
              Tim
              wrote on last edited by
              #726

              @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

              Cruden

              He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

              mariner4lifeM taniwharugbyT 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • TimT Tim

                @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

                Cruden

                He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

                mariner4lifeM Offline
                mariner4lifeM Offline
                mariner4life
                wrote on last edited by
                #727

                @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

                Cruden

                He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

                if they throw in Sinkler i am all for it.

                why not have a few of the best NH players down here?

                TimT YeetyaahY 2 Replies Last reply
                1
                • Magic65M Magic65

                  @Nepia That’s my first reaction as well f%*% that…then after a scone & cuppa….
                  Itoje – Let’s not kid ourselves here, that guy’s world class. Who in their right mind wouldn’t even consider having him in their ranks?
                  Farrell – A player who tends to take the right options & perhaps a perfect foil for Cruden & ALB. Not a bad player & that’s putting it mildly – guaranteed points.
                  -Adds legitimacy to the comp with the question, can these NH heavyweights compete?

                  YeetyaahY Offline
                  YeetyaahY Offline
                  Yeetyaah
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #728

                  @Magic65 no thanks to either of those twats regardless of their ability. I'd rather have another year like this if it means rebuilding without bringing English internationals in.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • mariner4lifeM mariner4life

                    @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                    @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

                    Cruden

                    He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

                    if they throw in Sinkler i am all for it.

                    why not have a few of the best NH players down here?

                    TimT Offline
                    TimT Offline
                    Tim
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #729

                    @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                    MN5M mariner4lifeM 2 Replies Last reply
                    6
                    • TimT Tim

                      @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

                      Cruden

                      He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

                      taniwharugbyT Offline
                      taniwharugbyT Offline
                      taniwharugby
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #730

                      @Tim havent they also got Reihana in the squad, 2 promising greenhorns

                      TimT 1 Reply Last reply
                      2
                      • mariner4lifeM mariner4life

                        @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                        @Magic65 said in Chiefs 2020:

                        Cruden

                        He's gone. Next year the Chiefs are relying on Trask if they can't recruit someone better.

                        if they throw in Sinkler i am all for it.

                        why not have a few of the best NH players down here?

                        YeetyaahY Offline
                        YeetyaahY Offline
                        Yeetyaah
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #731

                        @mariner4life fuuuuuuuuuuuck off

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • taniwharugbyT taniwharugby

                          @Tim havent they also got Reihana in the squad, 2 promising greenhorns

                          TimT Offline
                          TimT Offline
                          Tim
                          wrote on last edited by Tim
                          #732

                          @taniwharugby Falcon and Trask in the squad, Reihana in the colts. Isn't Falcon playing in Japan next year?

                          EDIT: Yes he is.

                          And with Gatland revealing that Tiaan Falcon is also headed for Japan following this season, their future is Trask – the 21-year-old Bay of Plenty pivot, who has dipped his toes in at this level this year.

                          https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122164219/super-rugby-aotearoa-aaron-cruden-benched-as-winless-chiefs-look-to-the-future

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • TimT Offline
                            TimT Offline
                            Tim
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #733

                            I thought Falcon went alright last year. Shame to lose him. Maybe they're making room for a more experienced player to complement Trask and Reihana? Is Fletcher Smith available?

                            StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • YeetyaahY Offline
                              YeetyaahY Offline
                              Yeetyaah
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #734

                              I'm okay with developing a young fella and Trask looks okay at his current level. I'd probably lean more towards Reihana but that's probably just the Waikato in me

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • TimT Tim

                                @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                MN5M Offline
                                MN5M Offline
                                MN5
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #735

                                @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                FIFY

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                2
                                • TimT Tim

                                  @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                  mariner4lifeM Offline
                                  mariner4lifeM Offline
                                  mariner4life
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #736

                                  @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                  @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                  if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                  Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                  SnowyS Victor MeldrewV 2 Replies Last reply
                                  2
                                  • TimT Tim

                                    I thought Falcon went alright last year. Shame to lose him. Maybe they're making room for a more experienced player to complement Trask and Reihana? Is Fletcher Smith available?

                                    StargazerS Offline
                                    StargazerS Offline
                                    Stargazer
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #737

                                    @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                    I thought Falcon went alright last year. Shame to lose him. Maybe they're making room for a more experienced player to complement Trask and Reihana? Is Fletcher Smith available?

                                    Fletcher Smith comes off-contract this year; no news about him re-signing with the Canes, yet.

                                    Also, if the Canes don't sign him, McClutchie might be a good option. At the start of the 2021 SR season, he'll have 3 years of Mitre 10 Cup under his belt; so more experience than Reihana, but less than Trask's SR experience, obviously.

                                    Falcon was very good for a rookie in his few SR games; then came the injuries. It's a pity he didn't get more than a few minutes against the Sunwolves since. It's a shame he's leaving NZ already. Hopefully, he's just going for one or two years, and isn't lost to NZ rugby yet.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • mariner4lifeM mariner4life

                                      @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                      @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                      if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                      Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                      SnowyS Offline
                                      SnowyS Offline
                                      Snowy
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #738

                                      @mariner4life said in Chiefs 2020:

                                      @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                      @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                      if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                      Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                      Is that what you want for your team? Quade might be available too.Get BOD out of retirement?

                                      Fuck that.

                                      antipodeanA mariner4lifeM Victor MeldrewV 3 Replies Last reply
                                      1
                                      • SnowyS Snowy

                                        @mariner4life said in Chiefs 2020:

                                        @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                        @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                        if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                        Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                        Is that what you want for your team? Quade might be available too.Get BOD out of retirement?

                                        Fuck that.

                                        antipodeanA Offline
                                        antipodeanA Offline
                                        antipodean
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #739

                                        @Snowy said in Chiefs 2020:

                                        @mariner4life said in Chiefs 2020:

                                        @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                        @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                        if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                        Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                        Is that what you want for your team? Quade might be available too.Get BOD out of retirement?

                                        Fuck that.

                                        They want wins.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        2
                                        • SnowyS Snowy

                                          @mariner4life said in Chiefs 2020:

                                          @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                          @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                          if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                          Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                          Is that what you want for your team? Quade might be available too.Get BOD out of retirement?

                                          Fuck that.

                                          mariner4lifeM Offline
                                          mariner4lifeM Offline
                                          mariner4life
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #740

                                          @Snowy said in Chiefs 2020:

                                          @mariner4life said in Chiefs 2020:

                                          @Tim said in Chiefs 2020:

                                          @mariner4life It would be good to see the three biggest dicks in English rugby lose week in week out.

                                          if we had Itoje, Sinkler and Farrell we win probably half of those games. They are all quality players

                                          Yes, massive tools, absolutely no disagreement there. But tools that can fucking play.

                                          Is that what you want for your team? Quade might be available too.Get BOD out of retirement?

                                          Fuck that.

                                          i said good players

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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