Chiefs v Brumbies 2015 Super Rugby Rd 2

[Wilson]

Beat that team at home and you've just about got one hand on the trophy.

Certainly wouldn't hurt your chances, but it's a long competition and no one's every won it in February.

 

[Hawko]

Beat that team at home and you've just about got one hand on the trophy. Like to see it, but Chiefs could be too good with their ABs coming back in.

From 10 onwards they look pretty good but I wouldn't rate that pack as anywhere near the best in the comp. Maybe if they can break even with the Brumby pack, but based on last week's performance they need to make a huge improvement. Last week the Blues were awful (that's not new news?) and I think made the Chiefs look better than they were. As a bookie, my opening market would be Brumbies $1.10 and the Chiefs $3.00.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^ NZ TAB has Chiefs $1.37/$2.90 Brumbies, Sportsbet $1.43/$2.80: if I were still a betting man I'd be sticking some on the Brums: awesome backline but I reckon they'll struggle up front esp lineouts.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Bookies have Chiefs as favourites, rightly so, but I think it will be closer than the odds on offer.

The forwards battle will be crucial to the outcome. I've never been impressed by MacIntosh in the scrum but he's good around the park. Not looking forward to Retallick coming off the bench. But has he had any game time this year in trials or is this his first turn out? Ditto Messam?

Not sure that the Brumbies' lineout will be inferior to the Chiefs. Probably have four legitimate jumpers in Carter, Arnold, Fardy and Smiler, with Butler also an option. Will depend on the accuracy of the throws I expect.

These teams have put on some great rugby in recent years with not a lot between them. Home ground advantage might be telling at the end.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ first hitout for both Brodie & Liam, NZRU-ordered rest & minor boxing injury, respectively (tho Messam probably would've been rested anyway). Lineout was Chiefs' biggest weakness last year, even with Brodie out there, I saw nothing v Blues to suggest that's gonna improve any time soon.

I suspect the Chiefs might sneak this but it'll be close & Brumbies at $2.90ish is insane.

 

[Blue]

From 10 onwards they look pretty good but I wouldn't rate that pack as anywhere near the best in the comp. Maybe if they can break even with the Brumby pack, but based on last week's performance they need to make a huge improvement. Last week the Blues were awful (that's not new news?) and I think made the Chiefs look better than they were. As a bookie, my opening market would be Brumbies $1.10 and the Chiefs $3.00.

they don't need a pack that's the best in the comp

It just need to hold it's own, play its set piece well and get a few turnovers.

Brodie on his own is wort 3 turnovers a match. That Messam bloke is not half bad either.

They stuttered last year becuase they flip flopped 10's

If Cruden can stay fit we all know what's outside him.

This is the best coached team in the comp. No two ways about it in my mind.

 

[Braveheart81]

Some of the Chiefs forwards are better than their credentials suggest.

Matt Symons was excellent last week (apart from his yellow card) and he is completely unheralded.

The Chiefs haven't unleased Tamanivalu yet and he has the potential to have a Fekitoa like impact on the competition. If things go well this year he could be a core member of their starting backline by part way through this season.

Will be watching his debut off the bench tomorrow with interest.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies

1. Scott Sio
2. Josh Mann-Rea
3. Ben Alexander
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
6. Scott Fardy
7. Jarrad Butler
8. Ita Vaea
9. Nic White ©
10. Matt To'omua
11. Henry Speight
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Joe Tomane
15. Robbie Coleman

Replacements
16. Stephen Moore
17. JP Smith
18. Ruan Smith
19. Jordan Smiler
20. Sean Doyle
21. Michael Dowsett
22. James Dargaville
23. Lausii Taliauli

 

[Tomikin]

I'd just like to say I love seeing It Vaea on the team sheet.. Pure awesome for the big gyy

Sent from my D6503 using Forum Fiend v1.3.1.

 

[Pedrolicus]

they don't need a pack that's the best in the comp

Cool. Can we borrow a few tight forwards then?

 

[qwerty51]

Cane and SBW out.

 

[Tomikin]

The commentary have the wrong name for Tomane Speight and Kirindruni

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Cane and SBW out.

That would make a difference to the Tribes chances. With the Qld Cyclone uncertainty, KHunt, indifferent performance by last years glamour teams and now this, it is a real Footy tippers and Fantasy Footy lottery.

The Ponies must be looking good for the chocolates by a bees reproductive organ.

 

[qwerty51]

That was woeful fullback play from Coleman, got the ball and passed straight away, no straightening or drawing.

 

[Tomikin]

What a scrum.. hold it and push .. well done boys..

 

[Tomikin]

Robbie Coleman try SAVER

 

[boyo]

Pocock is out due to syndesmosis

Try saying that after a skinfull.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Try saying that after a skinfull.

Say "Irish Wristwatch" 3 times as fast as you can if you want some fun.

 

[boyo]

Is $BW injured?

 

[Tomikin]

Were hammering them on the scrum.. Yeah SBW is injured..