QF Chiefs v Blues
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I honestly don't get it.
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This Funaki merry-go-round is utterly bizarre. Was dropped for the finals last year too, maybe Vern is hoping lightning strikes twice.
@Bones said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
This Funaki merry-go-round is utterly bizarre. Was dropped for the finals last year too, maybe Vern is hoping lightning strikes twice.
Oh fuck, I didn't even notice, I just assumed he was starting with Nock on the bench.
Ah well, I guess my beloved Chiefs are safe this week.
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This Funaki merry-go-round is utterly bizarre. Was dropped for the finals last year too, maybe Vern is hoping lightning strikes twice.
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Ricky Riccitelli will play his 50th match for the Blues.
The Chiefs (22.8 points conceded) and Blues (23.6 points) are the two best defensive teams in the competition, setting the stage for a physical contest.
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@Bones I guess it is due to his kicking game? He's been the best distributor for us over the last two seasons.
@Tim said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Bones I guess it is due to his kicking game? He's been the best distributor for us over the last two seasons.
I can only think, despite him looking so good when he gets on, he mustn't be following instructions? Only reason I can think for just being dropped cold last season and then only the odd game then dropped this season.
If so, I think the instructions might be wrong...
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This Funaki merry-go-round is utterly bizarre. Was dropped for the finals last year too, maybe Vern is hoping lightning strikes twice.
@Bones don't think he was listed as injured last week either.
Maybe some internal or personal stuff?
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@Tim said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Bones I guess it is due to his kicking game? He's been the best distributor for us over the last two seasons.
I can only think, despite him looking so good when he gets on, he mustn't be following instructions? Only reason I can think for just being dropped cold last season and then only the odd game then dropped this season.
If so, I think the instructions might be wrong...
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@Duluth Funaki out of favour? Surprises me as I think Nock is a bit of a nothing selection. Funaki wasn't the greatest against MP, but I'd still have him ahead of Nock.
@African-Monkey said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
Funaki wasn't the greatest against MP, but I'd still have him ahead of Nock.
Same
I think he is paying the price for a poor box kicking game against MP. Gifted easy possession to the opposition.
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Both games between these two sides have been incredibly close this year. Blues led for 75 per cent of the first match and came within a whisker of snatching the second too, and didn't have Beauden Barrett for much of that game (which, depending on who you ask, may have been a blessing or a curse).
Chiefs will rightly go in as favourites but I'm expecting a very tight match (especially if the weather doesn't play ball) and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Blues come out trumps.
Blues should be targeting the Chiefs midfield with two less than assured defenders - will be a very big test for Wrampling and Rona.
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Looks like the Chiefs are going for the physical bash-em-up from the onset, though having Sititi on the bench is a big call. I'm scratching my head a little there.
Tupaea not playing is quite a loss for the Chiefs, he's been excellent all season and ptting in an untired player in a knock-out game is always a risk.
In saying that it could be a game where the Chiefs run away with it especially if they get early points, I just don't see the Blues having the firepower to score a lot of points in this game or the forward pack to bully the Chiefs if it's a tight match. It's also fair to say that DMac is much better goalkicker than BB if the game does get tight.So my wildy inaccurate prediction would be for the Chiefs by 12 and under.
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I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
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@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
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@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
@Crazy-Horse said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
That first game he played this year (maybe against the Brumbies), he looked real good. The stage is a lot greater this weekend so definitely an opportunity for him to rise to the occasion.
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@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
@Crazy-Horse said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
To me he looked way too excited/eager to make an impression: the big play, the big hit. Needs to stick to the basics and play his role this time around.
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@Crazy-Horse said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
To me he looked way too excited/eager to make an impression: the big play, the big hit. Needs to stick to the basics and play his role this time around.
@reprobate said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Crazy-Horse said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@Canes4life said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Blues:
I thought Wrampling would be untired and a punishing defender. But he may lack a bit of the attacking skills of Tupaea and connectivity with outsides.
Tupaea is a massive loss in my view, his ability to get through contact will be severely missed. I see Wrampling as the player the Blues will target heavily in this game. Good chance for him to step up though.
I hope Wrampling goes well. He fucked up his last start (I think), when he got carded. It's a good chance for him.
To me he looked way too excited/eager to make an impression: the big play, the big hit. Needs to stick to the basics and play his role this time around.
Didn't he get carded for a shot on big Joseph against the Tahs? Will have to reign it in, a card in this game will be costly.
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Players involved in last years final: Chiefs (15) v Blues (17)
Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-SeturoJoshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Corey Evans
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
