180 replies to this topic

[BartMan]

Quote

Chiefs Ready for First NZ Derby

The Chiefs play their first New Zealand derby match of the campaign this Friday when they take on the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton in round five of the Rebel Sport Super 14.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: “we’re looking forward to our first New Zealand derby game, as they are always intense and competitive.”

“It has been good to have a full training week after last week’s short turnaround. There’s been an opportunity to reflect on our first four games, and whilst we were frustrated with our last performance, overall the squad has made great progress.”

The Chiefs welcome back lock Craig Clarke into the Chiefs line-up, having recovered from a groin strain suffered in the round two match against the Lions. Clarke, with 17 Chiefs caps to his name, is one of two changes in the Chiefs tight-five this week. The other is hooker Aled de Malmanche starting in the number two jersey. Vern Kamo comes into the reserves bench as cover at hooker, with Hika Elliot suffering a hamstring strain at training earlier in the week.

“Craig Clarke’s return is a result of him doing a great job with our medical staff. This has ensured his return at the best case scenario we gave him of three weeks, rather than the longer, but expected four to five weeks. “

“I expect a real lift in our intensity, back to the levels we achieved in the first couple of weeks. Certainly there were some individuals last week that didn’t get to the level they would have wanted,”said Foster.

In regards to Sione Lauaki Foster said: “Sione and I have decided that in light of the week that he has had, that the right thing to do is not play him in this game. We will fully support Sione over the next few weeks.”

The Chiefs team to play the Crusaders this Friday 12 March, 2010 at 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton is:

1. Sona Taumalolo
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White
4. Craig Clarke
5. Romana Graham
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Colin Bourke
9. Brendon Leonard
10.Stephen Donald
11.Sitiveni Sivivatu
12.Callum Bruce
13.Richard Kahui
14.Lelia Masaga
15.Mils Muliaina (captain)

Reserves: 16. Vern Kamo, 17. Ben Afeaki, 18. Culum Retallick, 19. Luke Braid, 20. Junior Poluleuligaga, 21. Mike Delany, 22. Dwayne Sweeney.
Footnote: It is likely that Jackson Willison (midfield back), Tim Nanai-Williams (fullback), Toby Lynn (lock), will all play for the Chiefs Development team v Crusaders Development team held at Waikato Stadium on Saturday 13 March. Kick off is 1.00pm. Entry is free to this match for the public.

Bye bye Sione Fat Bastard.

Edited by KiwiPie, 10 March 2010 - 01:59 PM.

[Hooroo]

Retallick on the bench is interesting. Predictable line up though

[BartMan]

MY HOPE IS YOUNG FELLA, new into this level of rugby - a weeks rest, and next week back in for Graham - then rest the most tired looking lock each week perhaps?

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Disappointing team. Leonard and Donald survive to fuck up another day.

[MajorRage]

I think Crusaders to take this one in a dour encounter, with DC proving the difference between the 2 teams.

[Hooroo]

I reckon the Chiefs will win it out wide at a hectic pace.........

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Anyone else thinking that it is time for Kahui to up his game? He has fallen off a lot of tackles recently and hasnt really been a threat in attack either. Well not by AB standrads anyway.. and this guy is supposed to be an AB.

[Hooroo]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

Anyone else thinking that it is time for Kahui to up his game? He has fallen off a lot of tackles recently and hasnt really been a threat in attack either. Well not by AB standrads anyway.. and this guy is supposed to be an AB.

Thing is, he was falling off tackles all over the place last year as well, but seemed to make up for it on attack. My worry is that he is nursing himself so he won't get injured again.

He is streaks behind Smith now where I used to think it was 50/50

[Baron Silas Greenback]

He seems to have a problem of charging out of the line alot to make a big hit.. and then bouncing off.

Agree he is along way behind Smith. I think the Cheifs AB's really need to styabnd up and be counted this game.

Specifically

Aled
Lats
Messam
Leonard
Kahui
Donald
Mils
Sivi

Thats 8 AB's ... they should lead the other 7 blokes and really play smart rugby.

Anyone else see the tackle stats for Latimer last week? They were huge.

[Toddy]

Am pretty gutted that Delany isn't being given a go. You would think it'd at least give Donald a boot in the right direction.

The Chiefs look better from 12 and outwards. But counting back from 12 doesn't look too good for them.

For the Crusaders I reckon K.Read needs to up his game. He was pretty dire last weekend I thought. Waldrom must surely be pushing hard for his spot.

[BartMan]

Hooroo - if they win, that is how it will be. THey have one speed, that is 'a million miles an hour'. there other setting is dead in the water.

[JP]

I hope Donalds goal kicking accuracy has found the barn, let alone the side or God willing the door of it...

[mariner4life]

That Romana Graham is a big bastard isn't he? Maybe the reason for his retention?

Its not a bad team really, the loosies will be competitive (i would rather have any of the Chiefs 3 than Whitlock, and Read hasn't been that good recently) and with Ross on the wing that is one less forward to worry about at the breakdown. That bench looks weak as piss though, so its really up to the first XV to do the job. And yes, in a massive game like this, it really is up to the ABs to step up and get the team home.

[Unco-ordinated]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

Disappointing team. Leonard and Donald survive to fuck up another day.

If they continue fucking up for a few games in a row, sure, but I think they've been around long enough to get the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully they've been given a bit of a rest this week and are back in form this weekend.

Anyway, starting lineup looks good to me. Nice to see AdM and Clarke back in the starting lineup. Sucks that Hika Elliot's injured though, I don't rate Kamo as an ANZC player, let alone a S14 player.

[Red Beard]

Chiefs pack will really have to barr up against the Crusaders eight who will be looking to dominate the tight exchanges. Set pieces key for the Chiefs, they will have to be on their game just to get parity at scrumtime against what for all intensive purposes resmbles a solid looking AB forward pack.

[Scorz]

Can't wait, got the tickets, the Richie and Dan show is in town! Stoked.

Last week I wondered if Kahui looks "thinner" than he did. Possibly lost some muscle?

[BartMan]

I am stoked with reservations - going over with a class load of 11 year olds, mitigating factor a bunch of dads driving the cars - probably the only school trip of the year where the dads outnumber the mums. Might wear my black and red stripes to stir...

[Scorz]

BartMan said:

I am stoked with reservations - going over with a class load of 11 year olds, mitigating factor a bunch of dads driving the cars - probably the only school trip of the year where the dads outnumber the mums. Might wear my black and red stripes to stir...

Earplugs. There you go, saved your sanity, now go burn that black and red shit and you'll be ready to sit in NZ's best rugby watching ground.

Beers are now $25 for 4 there by the way. I'm not buying it. No-one should at that price.

[taniwharugby]

Hooroo said:

I reckon the Chiefs will win it out wide at a hectic pace.........

I actually think the Chiefs will get up for this one (but then I was in the bottom 5 tipping wise last week)

[KiwiPie]

taniwharugby said:

I actually think the Chiefs will get up for this one (but then I was in the bottom 5 tipping wise last week)

I'm thinking of going for the Crusaders, that will ensure the Chiefs play like demented bogans like that game when they beat the Crusaders in Hamilton - the one when Simms Davison scored a try.

[BartMan]

ahhh, when Simms scored from 60 metres out, good days...

[bayimports]

Hooroo said:

Thing is, he was falling off tackles all over the place last year as well, but seemed to make up for it on attack. My worry is that he is nursing himself so he won't get injured again.

He is streaks behind Smith now where I used to think it was 50/50

also didnt help last week that players inside and out were also falling off tackles.

agree with the other comments about all our AB's need to have a spoon full of cement and harden up...and also perform

[Red Beard]

BartMan said:

ahhh, when Simms scored from 60 metres out, good days...

Great night at the stadium that one, man I got pissed.

[colt_hurricane]

It would be quite epic if the Chiefs put a beatdown on the crusaders. I hate the crusaders and anything Canterbury.

[Canerbry]

colt_hurricane said:

It would be quite epic if the Chiefs put a beatdown on the crusaders. I hate the crusaders and anything Canterbury.

And I hate stupid fucking bigots.

I reckon the Chiefs have every chance, they have knoicked over better Crusaders sides than this one in recent years, and are the local team most likeley to grow another leg playing us. Besides it's at home.

[mariner4life]

Canerbry said:

And I hate stupid fucking bigots.

I reckon the Chiefs have every chance, they have knoicked over better Crusaders sides than this one in recent years, and are the local team most likeley to grow another leg playing us. Besides it's at home.

I fully agree. The Crusaders are very beatable, but it means that 9 & 10 have to be on their game, and everyone has to be a bit smarter than they showed last week. The Chiefs of the last couple of years have been much better in the big games than against supposed weaker teams. Chiefs by less than a try.

[papamoan]

I think it will be very similar to the BoP v Canterbury NPC game last year. Very, very close with a ref's call or one players mistake or brilliance separating the two teams. Five of us are even motivated enough to go over from Tga for this game. Can't wait! Hope the weather is game to the type of game the chiefs are good at.

[ACT Crusader]

No Lauaki, no Chiefs.....

In seriousness, he's the one guy that has really troubled the Saders in games over the past 3 years.

The area they could look to exploit us is in the midfield with our very green combo, but the way Kahui has been playing it seems very unlikely at this point. Agree with others that RK has been well off in terms of his timing and aggressiveness defensively and IMO that has also impacted his attacking game.

A real shame Ellis is injured bevause the guy has been very good with his pass improving significantly.

Can't wait.

[BartMan]

disciplanry matters have raised their ugly head in the bartMan household, and a two week suspension ofr BartMan daughter meams I will be watching this one on the box. Bugger, so c'mon the good guys dressed in black - remember that.

[papamoan]

i'm thinking a big crowd for this one given the difficulty I had getting tickets today - all the cheapies were already gone