Chiefs 2021

[mikey07]

Woohoo Tiatia is gone from the Canes I wonder if he didn’t get offered a new contract as I thought he was seen by the coaching staff as something special. It’s going to be weird seeing Lowe in a chiefs jersey saying that it’s not like he got a lot of opportunities in the Canes jersey

[Bovidae]

Comparing to the 2020 squad:

Norris replaces Coxon.
Boshier and Parker for Nel and a lock.
Leger, McNicol and Naholo miss out in the backs.

[Yeetyaah]

Also no Fletcher Smith is a bit of a gripe for me, but in saying that, I have a soft spot for Rivez Reihana so I'm not too bothered, I just hope another team has picked him up.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae forgot about Naholo. Not worried about any of those guys being replaced.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2021:

@Bovidae yeah McWhannell being the oldest at like 22 I think?

Yes. Hopefully McWhannell stays fit because I rate him as a lock. He might be the best option to start with Vaa'i.

It was always going to be Smith or Reihana once Gatland was signed.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2021:

One player is still to be named to complete the 38-man 2021 Gallagher Chiefs squad

Kept open for BBBR I think.

[ploughboy]

thought norris still struggles at scum time but might be better with some locks behind him. sullivan for me is lucky as he hardly looked mitre 10 quality. i wonder if naholo is still injured as in his one run this year he looked to have a bit of spark.i feel squad iswhat i expected locks what i hoped for with alot of upside, midfield solid but lacking depth after top 3 and outside backs was hoping for knepkins

[Bovidae]

@ploughboy Norris is a selection for the future. Still only 20 and one of those tall modern-day props (~ 1.95 m). He offers more around the park than Coxon and will continue to improve.

[Stargazer]

Absolutely stoked to see the move from Jonah Lowe confirmed. Hopefully, McMillan will give him the opportunity to play that he didn't get at the Canes.

I'm sorry to see McNicol miss out, but I guess he's had too many injuries over the years and it was too big a risk to signing him again. Really unfortunate, because he has the potential to be a good SR player. Only played 2 games for the Magpies, this year.

[Yeetyaah]

@Stargazer knew you'd be stoked about Lowe, as soon as I saw his name I thought of you hahah.

[Stargazer]

@Yeetyaah Wasted his time at the Canes. Hopefully, this will work out better for him. He had a great Mitre 10 Cup season and can play at centre and both wings.

[ARHS]

An improvement in squad selection from recent years but lacks a powerful outside back to me and a punishing carrier at 8.
Pleased to see Tiatia back though. He is a creator. But underwhelmed by the other unannounced signings as was hoping for a powerful acquisition like Liam Squire or Kneepkens or Visinia. Having said that Boshier Norris and Lowe all have plenty to contribute. But not sure how and why Fletcher Smith Josh McKay and Samepeni Finau were not picked up. Perhaps the head coach had no input into the recruitment and talent spotting.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in Chiefs 2021:

An improvement in squad selection from recent years but lacks a powerful outside back to me and a punishing carrier at 8.

The outside backs will be quick but do lack some size apart from Wainui. Stevenson doesn't really make the most of his size.

The loose forward mix will be intriguing, and will depend on where Jacobson is played (6 or 8). You could get away with starting both Cane and Boshier if your no.8 is a big ball-carrier. PGS could be that player if consistent. I'd use Boshier off the bench myself.

[Yeetyaah]

I'll take a stab at a starting 23.

1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei'aho
3. Angus Ta'avao
4. Tupou Vaa'i
5. Laghlan McWhannell
6. Lachlan Boshier
7. Sam Cane
8. Luke Jacobson
9. Brad Weber
10. Bryn Gatland
11. Sean Wainui
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Quinn Tupaea
14. Jonah Lowe
15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. Atunaisa Moli
19. Josh Lord
20. Pita Gus Sowakula
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Kaleb Trask
23. Etene Nanai-Seturo

Wanted to chuck a couple of newbies in there just to see how it looks.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah Harris should be back as the starting hooker. I'd go with a Nankivell-ALB midfield.

[ARHS]

@Yeetyaah I would want Moli, Trask, Harris and either Nanai-Seturo or Stevenson starting and Roe and Brown on the bench. But, I am hoping Kaylum Boshier might become the powerful destroyer we need at 8, and that the final squad spot goes to a powerful outside back of the Rayasi / Fainga'anuku mould.

[family man]

Is naholo out for the season? Suprised no contract

[gt12]

That looks like the 4th or 5th best team in NZ. I'm going to settle in for some mid 2000s Chiefs results.

Pleased to see they picked up Lowe who might add more value that Alaimalo did (although having both would have been better), and nice to see Moli back (as a TH?) but apart from that, it' s a pretty average looking squad.

I'm not convinced about the size of our loosies, especially if we end up with both Vaaii and Ah Kuoi starting again (both of whom didn't let the side down, but let's hope that isn't required). We want Jacobson to stay fit as he is crucial piece for us.

I also wonder whether we wouldn't be better playing Dmac at 10 and Trask or Stevenson at 15, but I assume that the starting 10 role will be between Gats and Trask.

I'm integued to see how Tupaea goes at 12 for the Maori, as a Tupaea/ALB combo could be a nice way of using ALB.

[Bovidae]

McMillan, who is in Hamilton this week as Māori All Blacks coach for Saturday’s clash against Moana Pasifika, also confirmed his Chiefs coaching staff for next season: Roger Randle, David Hill, Neil Barnes and Nick White.

McMillan said the Chiefs will start pre-season on January 7, two months before their opening match against the Highlanders at home on March 5.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300173746/super-rugby-all-blacks-lock-brodie-retallick-could-be-available-for-the-chiefs-in-2021

[Tim]

@Bovidae Did he play in the Top League before the season was cancelled?

When does their new season start?