Chiefs v Highlanders : MATCH THREAD : Sun 19th Jul

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Sun 19th Jul

KICK OFF:
Local - 3.35pm

WHERE:
Hamilton, NZ



VENUE:
FMG Stadium, Hamilton



MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Mike Fraser

Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman

TMO: Brendon Pickerill

TEAMS:



Aidan Ross ,
Bradley Slater ,
Nepo Laulala ,
Vaa’i ,
Mitchell Brown ,
Lachlan Boshier,
Sam Cane (c),
Pita Gus Sowakula ,

Brad Weber,
Kaleb Trask ,
Solomon Alaimalo ,
Alex Nankivell ,
Anton Lienert-Brown ,
Sean Wainui ,
Damian McKenzie

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho ,Reuben O’Neill, Ross Geldenhuys ,Adam Thomson, Mitchell Karpik ,Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , Aaron Cruden , Quinn Tupaea



Highlanders named:

15 - Michael Collins,
14 - Josh McKay,
13 - Rob Thompson,
12 - Sio Tomkinson,
11 - Scott Gregory,
10 - Mitch Hunt,
9 - Aaron Smith,
8 - Marino Mikaele-Tu'u,
7 - Dillon Hunt,
6 - Shannon Frizell,
5 - Jack Whetton,
4 - Pari Pari Parkinson,
3 - Siate Tokolahi,
2 - Ash Dixon,
1 - Ayden Johnstone.

Reserves:

16 - Liam Coltman,
17 - Ethan De Groot,
18 - Jeff Thwaites,
19 - Manaaki Selby-Rickit,
20 - Jesse Parete,
21 - Folau Fakatava,
22 - Josh Ioane,
23 - Jona Nareki.

[Ymx]

For you Enz

[HouseofPane]

Okay, the battle for the wooden spoon is well and truly on. In Hamilton, the Highlanders just may be a little more shitty than the Chiefs, so I expect a shitty Chiefs win here.

Yeah science, Bitch! [/pinkman]

[Gumboot]

Obviously the result is meaningless but god I hope these sides can rediscover their attacking mojo on Sunday.

[Ymx]

The chiefs despite having lost all games have managed to accrue 3 losing bonus points.

The highlanders have won just the one, they are in striking distance to be sent to the bottom of the table if the chiefs win by > 7.

[Ymx]

Actually, the chiefs just need to win. Their f/a is currently better than the highlanders, even if the highlanders were to get a losing bp.

[FujiKiwi]

I saw Dillon Hunt pick up an injury in the game yesterday. Did anyone catch what that was? If he's out, that will weaken an otherwise strong looking loose forward trio for the Clan.

[Gumboot]

I saw Dillon Hunt pick up an injury in the game yesterday. Did anyone catch what that was? If he's out, that will weaken an otherwise strong looking loose forward trio for the Clan.

Yeah, he'd been playing well to that point. Hope he's ok. Lentjes gone for the season too.

[Enzedder]

Officials

Sunday 19 July, 3.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Referee: Mike Fraser

Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman

TMO: Brendon Pickerill

[Ymx]

Officials

Sunday 19 July, 3.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Referee: Mike Fraser

Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman

TMO: Brendon Pickerill

[stemoc]

dead rubber for the chiefs lol, like to see the coach give naholo a run in this (As his brother was a highlanders legend) .. highlanders weakness this year has not been their forwards but backs, sorry but that 12/13 is not working, neither is 14 and 15...need ioane back at 10 (hunt to bench), i hear naholo is in taranaki right now, fly him over lol at 14 or give Chris Kuridani a chance, he is one of those hard running offloading winger/centres which is lacking at the highlanders this year since tevita li and naholo left.. bender is irreplaceable but gregory and collins has been shit at 15 thus far...koroi was actually good even though he got carded..if mauger wants to be fancy run koroi at 15 with nareki and kuridrani on the wings, who knows it might actually fix the highlanders ATTACK.

[Enzedder]

But they need defensive skills as well.No point scoring 3 tries if you let in 5

[FujiKiwi]

But they need defensive skills as well.No point scoring 3 tries if you let in 5

Yes but isn’t it a lack of (ahem) penetration that is the Chiefs’ main problem at the moment? And wasn’t that always going to be a worry with as conservative a coach as Garland coming in? A little attacking flair wouldn’t go amiss.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I can't see the Chiefs losing five on the trot. Particularly when the opposition is the patchy Landers, and they're at home.

Prediction: Chiefs 29-23.

[HouseofPane]

Yeah Highlanders lacking a bit of punch in the back line for sure. Tomkinson has good defence (when legal), but it feels like there’s not much on attack. Whenever it does go wide, it stifles at Rob Thomson usually as It seems as though he never passes the ball until he’s getting tackled, which then is a 50/50 ball. Then there’s the outside backs, shitnhell what a mess it’s been. Obviously no one is expecting them to be lighting it up, but there should at least be more intent than there is.

In the past though, Tony Brown would make the most out of nothing in terms of back line play, which leaves me wondering how overruled he gets by Mauger. Something just isn’t adding up for me, and again, I’m not saying they should be winning more - just that there should be more positive signs in the backline at least.

[FujiKiwi]

I agree that there's something off in the Clan backline. Especially given that Aaron Smith and Mitch Hunt are playing pretty competently overall. Agree that it seems to be a midfield issue. Will be worth having a close look at in this game.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I certainly don't think Rob Thompson is having a banner year, while Sio Tomkinson is probably only ever going to be a journeyman midfielder.

The back three is decidedly ordinary when compared to all the other Kiwi sides.

It's really only at halfback they have a world class offering, with the enthusiastic Heartland Hammington as back up. Mitch Hunt goes okay on his day.

It's probably not surprising then that an average back division has been a bit mediocre.

[stemoc]

my theory was mauger was waiting for one of the crusaders or Canterbury backs to make their way down south for more game time, ge was probably eyeing Leicester, mataele or even will jordan but when that didn't eventuate, he was forced to pull up nobodies like gregory, the less talented fainganuku, the provincial level only player josh mckay, the even shittier Garden-Bachop and that guy that played wing like 2 weeks back who actually looked good cause gregory was shit at 15..so when can we see Milner-skudder?, this might be the time to put him in the 23 even if he is not ready cause its now or never, one more loss and they might not be able to compete for the top 3 .if we see gregoy again in the back 2 this week or ioane benched or at 12.. we have to assume tony brown has no pull whatsoever and he might as well go to japan and become their assistant coach.....

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

my theory was mauger was waiting for one of the crusaders or Canterbury backs to make their way down south for more game time, ge was probably eyeing Leicester, mataele or even will jordan but when that didn't eventuate, he was forced to pull up nobodies like gregory, the less talented fainganuku, the provincial level only player josh mckay, the even shittier Garden-Bachop and that guy that played wing like 2 weeks back who actually looked good cause gregory was shit at 15..so when can we see Milner-skudder?, this might be the time to put him in the 23 even if he is not ready cause its now or never, one more loss and they might not be able to compete for the top 3 .if we see gregoy again in the back 2 this week or ioane benched or at 12.. we have to assume tony brown has no pull whatsoever and he might as well go to japan and become their assistant coach.....

Unfortunately like Richard Kahui, Nehe Milner-Skudder brokered a deal with God shortly before their respective Rugby World Cups.

I can make you win, son, but you will never string two games together ever again. :OS:

[Carter's Choice]

The back three is decidedly ordinary when compared to all the other Kiwi sides.

You guys need quality outside backs, the Crusaders need ball running backrowers. We'll swap you Sevu Reece and Manasa Mata'ele for Teariki Ben-Nicholas and Shannon Frizell. You'll still have your best ball carrying forward, Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u.

[HouseofPane]

Highlanders named:

15 - Michael Collins,
14 - Josh McKay,
13 - Rob Thompson,
12 - Sio Tomkinson,
11 - Scott Gregory,
10 - Mitch Hunt,
9 - Aaron Smith,
8 - Marino Mikaele-Tu'u,
7 - Dillon Hunt,
6 - Shannon Frizell,
5 - Jack Whetton,
4 - Pari Pari Parkinson,
3 - Siate Tokolahi,
2 - Ash Dixon,
1 - Ayden Johnstone.

Reserves:

16 - Liam Coltman,
17 - Ethan De Groot,
18 - Jeff Thwaites,
19 - Manaaki Selby-Rickit,
20 - Jesse Parete,
21 - Folau Fakatava,
22 - Josh Ioane,
23 - Jona Nareki.

Really not feeling that back 3, although I hope McKay can push a claim - or something! Anyone? * hums 'Waisake Nahoooooooloooooo' chant in my head*

Saucie

[FujiKiwi]

Yeah. 9 and 10 aside, that is a really uninspiring backline.

[stemoc]

bench the ONLY 2 GOOD outside backs you have .....Chiefs by 30+

[FujiKiwi]

Liam Coltman will be good for a couple of thundering tackles in the last 15 minutes.

And two crucial missed line out throws.

[FujiKiwi]

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Solomon Alaimalo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (c), Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Tupou Vaa’i, Nepo Laulala, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill, Ross Geldenhuys, Adam Thomson, Mitchell Karpik, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Aaron Cruden, Quinn Tupaea.

From this article, which discusses Gatland benching Cruden as he "looks to the future".

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... the-future

[quote]The out-of-contention Chiefs have opted to look to the future, with Aaron Cruden benched for Sunday's Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Highlanders in Hamilton, and Kaleb Trask handed the keys at first five-eighth.

With an 0-4 record at the halfway point of the competition the Chiefs’ title hopes are already dashed, so coach Warren Gatland is taking a pragmatic approach to the back half of the campaign.

Cruden, who sits on 98 Chiefs caps, will depart the franchise later this year to take up a contract with Japanese club Kobe, so the remaining four games provide an opportunity for the Chiefs to invest in their longer-term options.

And with Gatland revealing that Tiaan Falcon is also headed for Japan following this season, their future is Trask – the 21-year-old Bay of Plenty pivot, who has dipped his toes in at this level this year./quote]

[Gumboot]

I like the look of Tupou Vaa’i, he's a smart young player. Ah Kuoi's been playing well but Vaa'i is a bloody handy replacement. They're both very good prospects.

[Ymx]

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Solomon Alaimalo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (c), Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Tupou Vaa’i, Nepo Laulala, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill, Ross Geldenhuys, Adam Thomson, Mitchell Karpik, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Aaron Cruden, Quinn Tupaea.

From this article, which discusses Gatland benching Cruden as he "looks to the future".

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... the-future

The out-of-contention Chiefs have opted to look to the future, with Aaron Cruden benched for Sunday's Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Highlanders in Hamilton, and Kaleb Trask handed the keys at first five-eighth.

With an 0-4 record at the halfway point of the competition the Chiefs’ title hopes are already dashed, so coach Warren Gatland is taking a pragmatic approach to the back half of the campaign.

Cruden, who sits on 98 Chiefs caps, will depart the franchise later this year to take up a contract with Japanese club Kobe, so the remaining four games provide an opportunity for the Chiefs to invest in their longer-term options.

And with Gatland revealing that Tiaan Falcon is also headed for Japan following this season, their future is Trask – the 21-year-old Bay of Plenty pivot, who has dipped his toes in at this level this year./quote]

Or is looking for escape goats

[FujiKiwi]

Conditions look perfect.

[Enzedder]

Brilliant weather and brilliant running teams. I just hope the ref allows it to flow.

[Enzedder]

So far so good - 14 nil to Chiefs after 12 minutes. DMac seems to be getting involved which makes a huge difference

[FujiKiwi]

So far so good - 14 nil to Chiefs after 12 minutes. DMac seems to be getting involved which makes a huge difference

And the Chiefs hitting the ball at pace unlike the Blues yesterday.

[Caley_Red]

Was hoping for a Gatland spoon but I'll have to settle for second bottom if it continues like this.

[Ymx]

That would have been a red at the World Cup.

Pleased it was just a yellow though.

[stemoc]

bench the ONLY 2 GOOD outside backs you have .....Chiefs by 30+

looks like my prediction will be spot on.

[FujiKiwi]

Even on a team getting routed, the Clan’s loose forward trio looking at least equal in athleticism to any other team in the comp. They’re great.

[stemoc]

boshier could get a yellow for interfering but refs saw nothing

[stemoc]

took them 30msn to score a try.. Mauger OUT!

[FujiKiwi]

Was hoping for a Gatland spoon but I'll have to settle for second bottom if it continues like this.

Why would you wish ill on all-time Lion great selector and coach Warren Gatland?

[Enzedder]

Half-time cannot come soon enough. We are coasting dammit.

[stemoc]

why are they playing the waisake naholo osng? :P