Chiefs 2020

cgrant

Isn't Leuila a Samoan ?

Nogusta

@cgrant yea he played for Samoa on their 2016 Northern tour. He kicked some crucial penalties in their win against Canada from memory. He'd just led the Samoa 20s in their the U20 Championships win then got selected for the senior Samoa side when Alama Ieremia was coach.

Yeetyaah

This post is deleted!

Yeetyaah

Etene set for the Olympics next year and seems like he won't take part in Super Rugby.

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/nanai-seturo-set-for-2020-olympics

Bovidae

I expected someone to mention this...

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/115437167/aaron-cruden-in-line-for-shock-return-to-chiefs-for-2020-super-rugby-season

Stargazer

@Bovidae To me, that's another case of "I believe it, when I see the official announcement".

gt12

@Bovidae

I'd be pleased, especially if - as the article implies - he'd replace Marty MacKenzie, leaving us space to sign another youngster from Mitre 10.

We should be looking hard at Finau and that young prop from the Waikato team too.

Yeetyaah

@gt12 Ollie Norris? I'd be keen on him too.

Yeetyaah

Dunno how I feel about Crudes returning. It's probably a good thing as the experience would be useful. I'd be keen on more youngsters as well. Suppose Falcon is still here next year. Debs is allegedly leaving. At least Crudes is showing loyalty by only wanting to return to the Chiefs.

gt12

@Yeetyaah

If it’s confirmed that Debs is gone, I’m in for Cruden. If that was only a rumor, I’d probably change my position as he should start, and we could try to develop the future guy in the background.

Nepia

I guess we now know why the Hurricanes aren't chasing him.

shark

Don't you Chiefs fans find it a bit odd that Cruden is coming back to the Chiefs while you have McKenzie there? Are you happy to have a rotation, or do you think McKenzie will go back to fullback to accommodate Cruden? He's only 30 and could easily be the better option to start for 2020 and possibly beyond.

Canes4life

@shark leave McKenzie at Fullback IMO, he is far too deadly from the back.

Yeetyaah

McKenzie said in an article that when he's back next year, he wants to focus purely on fullback.

Bovidae

Cruden would only be a 1-year deal for 2020 before he goes to Japan.

mofitzy_

Happy that Cruden is returning if true. Even if he isn't the player he was, we need the depth and experience. I reckon if we don't resign Debs he'd still be a decent pick up for any team that isn't already stacked at 10.

Stargazer

mofitzy_

I'm optimistic about next season - Gatland on board should be a massive boost and our props , loose forwards and 9s are looking strong. Just need a decent 10 and pray our outside backs get into some form.

Stargazer

"My return to playing is about the end of January, when Super Rugby starts. I'll do a pre-season with the Chiefs, and then hopefully round one I'll be ready to go."

.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/look-forward-whats-come-damian-mckenzie-moving-injury-disaster

Yeetyaah

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12276617

"Then there is Quinn Tupaea, one of the region's most exciting prospects who lit up the game every time he took the ball, on top of being a solid defender.

A debut Super Rugby season in 2020 with the Chiefs is ahead for Tupaea"

Might not be official or anything, but maybe someone knows something. Obvs I will be stoked if it's true.

The Silver Fern

Chiefs 2020