Chiefs 2022

[Crucial]

@bovidae btw thanks for biting the bullet and kicking this off.

Does feel shitty to be talking about so soon but I think we can keep the two things apart (a bit)

[Kiwiwomble]

for those who haven't watched Otago recently, Ioane looking much more like his old self. if he can carry on like this he could be in fr another breakout season next year

[Bovidae]

@crucial None of my potential replacements are officially confirmed, but Thompson has been unofficially confirmed, as have both Walden and Narawa.

Wrampling is a midfielder. He is more suited to centre but does have the size and speed to be an option on the wing in a squad at his young age (20).

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:

@crucial as have both Walden and Narawa.

Have they? When and where?

[Bovidae]

@yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:

Also wouldn't mind Dawai as a squaddie as he has some size and pace, which the Chiefs have lacked on the outside for a bit.

They will still select another group for the WTG so Dawai could be part of that. He is still very raw but has something to work with.

[Bovidae]

@yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:

@crucial as have both Walden and Narawa.

Have they? When and where?

Earlier in this thread for Narawa. I'm relying on your sauce for Walden. Maybe they go for another younger player, I don't know.

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae yeah mine came from an in-law of Walden, said they were keen last year before h got injured but were still keen once he's back so I suppose it's still there.

[Kiwiwomble]

@yeetyaah the upvote is a double for Walden hopefully getting a gig and for the new profile pic

[Chris]

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:

Tragically, time for an update on a possible squad for next season. This is based on the 2021 squad and what we know publicly about departures and signings via media releases, plus rumoured new signings. Players in italics would be most at risk of not being re-signed. I've also suggested a few likely replacements.

Hookers:
Samisoni Taukei’aho (signed until 2024)
Bradley Slater
Nathan Harris Tyrone Thompson

Props:
Aidan Ross (to 2023)
Ollie Norris
Reuben O’Neill
Angus Ta’avao (to 2021)
Sione Mafileo (to 2022)
Atunaisa Moli (it will be hard to justify continual selection of a player who sadly is always injured)

Locks:
Brodie Retallick (to 2023)
Tupou Vaa’i (to 2023)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (to 2023)
Josh Lord
Laghlan McWhannell (I would keep him because depth is important, as the Chiefs will know)

Loose Forwards:
Sam Cane
Luke Jacobson
Pita Gus Sowakula (to 2023)
Samipeni Finau (to 2024)
Kaylum Boshier
Lachlan Boshier Tom Florence
Mitchell Brown
Mitchell Karpik
Simon Parker (one of these two could be retained, but unlikely both)

Halfbacks:
Brad Weber (to 2023)
Xavier Roe (to 2022)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi Cortez Ratima

First five-eighths:
Bryn Gatland (to 2023)
Rivez Reihana Josh Ioane (2022 only)
Kaleb Trask

Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown (to 2023)
Quinn Tupaea (to 2023)
Alex Nankivell
Bailyn Sullivan Tei Walden

Outside backs:
Jonah Lowe
Damian McKenzie Emoni Narawa
Etene Nanai-Seturo (to 2022)
Shaun Stevenson (to 2023)
Chase Tiatia (to 2022)
Sean Wainui Gideon Wrampling

That would be 38 players.

You don't think you will retain Rameka Poihipi ?,Hopefully if the Chiefs let him go the Crusaders will pick him up instead of Mcleod or Punivai.
Rameka Poihipi has been very good for Canterbury this season one of the few backs who have been decent.

[Bovidae]

@chris said in Chiefs 2022:

You don't think you will retain Rameka Poihipi ?,

Poihipi was the last player added to the squad, and that was late. I'm assuming he was only given a 1 yr contract but maybe McMillan retains him. He would be no more than a squadie so I would select from within.

[ploughboy]

wouldnt be surprised if they only go 8 loose forward and grab another wing. i would still have moli in my squad.

[Bovidae]

There would only be 8 loose forwards in the squad I posted. Cane, Jacobson, PGS, Finau and 4 others. Brown will likely be the 5th but I don't see him as a starter.

K Boshier might be better used as a 7 as he isn't the biggest no.8 around, but is more physical and robust than Karpik. Florence can play 6 and 7, and has a high workrate. Both Boshier and Florence can back up Cane. Then it comes down to the last loose forward (Karpik/Parker/A. N. Other). Parker has the size and potential to be a really good no.8. He needs to get over his injuries though.

So selecting another winger means one less lock (no McWhannell) or only 3 specialist midfielders. Both seem risky options.

[ploughboy]

@bovidae
opps my bad should have read better.
agree with loose forwards
wrampling i would count as midfield cover so would give four. really keen to boost outside backs so would run with that and get another wing. but who?

[gt12]

@bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:

There would only be 8 loose forwards in the squad I posted. Cane, Jacobson, PGS, Finau and 4 others. Brown will likely be the 5th but I don't see him as a starter.

K Boshier might be better used as a 7 as he isn't the biggest no.8 around, but is more physical and robust than Karpik. Florence can play 6 and 7, and has a high workrate. Both Boshier and Florence can back up Cane. Then it comes down to the last loose forward (Karpik/Parker/A. N. Other). Parker has the size and potential to be a really good no.8. He needs to get over his injuries though.

So selecting another winger means one less lock (no McWhannell) or only 3 specialist midfielders. Both seem risky options.

Can we edit to see who we know is confirmed and who we suspect?

[Bovidae]

@gt12 The contract situation of the players isn't always released but I have put (in brackets) when each player is contracted to, if that information is known. Players crossed out won't be there, and I have suggested a replacement. Ioane is the only recent signing confirmed.

I think we can assume Cane and Jacobson will be there. The rest of the squad we don't know about for certain.

[cliff]

Might we consider tanielu telea as a midfield option i like his size and speed although he lacks the subtle skills he is quite young

[Crucial]

What's the story with Kapeli?I know he's older but is a utility loosie and I'd rather see him in the squad than Karpik.

(is he on the Moana Pasikika radar instead?)

[Bovidae]

@crucial said in Chiefs 2022:

What's the story with Kapeli?

It was mentioned at the end of SR-TT that Kapeli hadn't been offered a contract as there wasn't a position available.

MP would be a good bet if Kapeli remains in NZ.

[ARHS]

What about George Dyer for Moli? Would like to see Mitch Jacobson Kapeli and Tikoilosome in the mix. Just maybe Dawai.

[gt12]

I’d like to give Moli one more chance - I wish we could apply to carry an extra person for players coming back from long term injury. If (big if) he gets fit, he’s an international level prop and we dont have that many of those around.