Chiefs v Blues
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@Crucial said in Chiefs v Blues:
Any idea why Boshier instead of Karpik? Is Karpik injured already?
I'll answer my own question after some googling.
Just seems to be a combination of giving Boshier a crack and Karpik having shouldered most of the workload in the pre-season and first game.
Bench seems a little odd though. I assume Seu is covering lock/6. Sanders is mainly an 8 isn't he? They look to me to be targeting a defensive role for the loosies more than a turnover role. Get your turnovers via defensive pressure and errors.
This is going to be one hell of a game I think. As much as I'd like the Chiefs to win I'd also like the Blues to continue their resurgence. A Blues team playing well adds a lot to the competition IMO.
@Crucial Boshier is good at getting turnovers as he has more size to him than Karpik.
Seu will definitely be the backup lock/6, and I think that will be his role for most of the year unless Retallick or Bird are rested. Sanders can also play at 6 and Leitch provides the cover at 7.
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I didn't get to watch the Chiefs v Highlanders match in detail, but it seemed to me that Karpik was't that effective in slowing Highlander ball down. If my (admittedly basic) impression is correct, that would be enough to give me pause when selecting a side for the Blues.
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That surprises me! I thought it would be 50/50 split on the Chiefs Blues game.
@Hooroo Blues haven't beaten Chiefs in 6 years/10 games.
Any word on the crowd? Should be a good one you'd think given last year's fixture in Hamilton was a good crowd, weather looks good and this year's contest looks even better. Plenty of All Blacks (and potential future All Blacks) on show.
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@Hooroo Blues haven't beaten Chiefs in 6 years/10 games.
Any word on the crowd? Should be a good one you'd think given last year's fixture in Hamilton was a good crowd, weather looks good and this year's contest looks even better. Plenty of All Blacks (and potential future All Blacks) on show.
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@KiwiMurph I haven't heard yet but historically the Blues game always attracts a large crowd. It's the first Chiefs home game since the match vs Wales last year too.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:
@KiwiMurph I haven't heard yet but historically the Blues game always attracts a large crowd. It's the first Chiefs home game since the match vs Wales last year too.
This is our year!
Blues by 13+ ... hey, I was right last week OK?
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@Rembrandt said in Chiefs v Blues:
My gut feeling is Blues by 3
I'd like to go with my gut on this one, but the Blues look to be two or three starting players away from strength across the field. Start Parsons, Faumaina, and Tuipulotu, move Nanai to fullback and Moala to the wing, and you're looking really strong.
As it stands, the Blues have an advantage in the scrum, and loose forwards, and a bit more attacking punch in the backs. The Chiefs have a big advantage at lock, and the packs are about even around the field. They have an advantage at 10, but Cruden was indifferent last week. Big bench for us though, which will hopefully see us through.
Blues by 1 to 8.
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@Bones said in Chiefs v Blues:
So replace Boshier with Cane and you've got an all international forward pack, 7 ABs. Or am i being a retard and Elliott hasn't made it that far?
Leitch is a Japanese player, not an All Black.
@cgrant said in Chiefs v Blues:
@Bones said in Chiefs v Blues:
So replace Boshier with Cane and you've got an all international forward pack, 7 ABs. Or am i being a retard and Elliott hasn't made it that far?
Leitch is a Japanese player, not an All Black.
I like this even better when you look at the detail, first that I think I've seen him in an AB Jersey, second that I think there's only 7 forwards despite the guy in question being named at 8.
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So is the consensus pretty much that Collins is just keeping the jersey warm till the squad is fit?
I read Umaga saying he likes Collins' organisation at the back... so maybe that's important in a backline full of game breakers. Hard to imagine him keeping the start once Ranger and Moala are ready, let alone Sonny Bill, right?
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Ranger hasn't had a lot of rugby since he returned to NZ, I think he has a long way to go to press for a starting spot, but if he does get firing, along with Moala and SBW it will be a huge headache for Tana!
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Having good depth on most occasions is a massive bonus in this comp , particularly when all blacks are involved and pressure is probably coming from above to nurse them through any niggles .
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So is the consensus pretty much that Collins is just keeping the jersey warm till the squad is fit?
I read Umaga saying he likes Collins' organisation at the back... so maybe that's important in a backline full of game breakers. Hard to imagine him keeping the start once Ranger and Moala are ready, let alone Sonny Bill, right?
@Milk said in Chiefs v Blues:
So is the consensus pretty much that Collins is just keeping the jersey warm till the squad is fit?
I read Umaga saying he likes Collins' organisation at the back... so maybe that's important in a backline full of game breakers. Hard to imagine him keeping the start once Ranger and Moala are ready, let alone Sonny Bill, right?
The kicking game seems to be a focus at the moment. The Blues were equal first in the number of kicks in play in round one.
The Highlanders did well a couple of years ago by putting up a lot of high balls. I wonder if that's what Umaga is trying to emulate?
Collins and Duffie both kick well and the entire back three puts pressure on high kicksCollins came into first receiver occasionally. With him and Francis on the field West has less responsibility which is a good thing.
Hopefully all the kicking from hand options fixes our exits. They have been abysmal for years and they were still shit last week.
