Chiefs v Brumbies in Hamilton - 15/07/17

[waiopehu oldboy]

Chiefs likely to rest Retallick, Cane & Lienert-Brown on account of their heavy workload during the B&IL series, but start DMac, Cruden, Kerr-Barlow & Harris who played few or no minutes. Brumbies looked pretty average v Reds so I'm expecting they'll cop a bit of a flogging (also hoping for a rematch in Canberra next week as that can only happen if the CruSadists get up against the Horrorcanes).

Ref: Ben O'Keeffe. AR1: Richard Kelly. AR2: Cam Stone. TMO: Ben Skeen

 

[Slim 293]

Brumbies will be without Alcock, Toua, Godwin and possibly Arnold............

They'll miss Alcock and Arnold............ the other two could be a blessing.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I thought Godwin was Australian rugby's saviour-in-waiting? Agree on the others esp Toua, hard to fathom how he keeps getting picked with how many basic/ unforced errors he makes.

 

[wamberal]

I thought Godwin was Australian rugby's saviour-in-waiting? Agree on the others esp Toua, hard to fathom how he keeps getting picked with how many basic/ unforced errors he makes.

We all thought that about Godwin a couple or three years ago. How or why the Bumblies decided that he was worth recruiting baffles me.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Hoping that the defense continues to hold up so that it doesn't become a blow out in the score.

On Godwin, he is one of the very few recruits who haven't surpassed their previous standards after a season with the Brumbies. He really has been a disappointment, and I can't see his involvement getting any better with the skills he's shown this year.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies backline could be:
9 Cubelli
10 Hawera
11 Banks
12 A Smith
13 Kuridrani
14 Speight
15 Jackson-Hope

 

[mst]

Possibly no Banks.

Just three players will be backing up from the loss to the Queensland Reds last weekend as Larkham keeps one eye on a home quarter-final next weekend and wraps players in cotton wool.

Scott Fardy, Wharenui Hawera and Henry Speight will keep their place in the starting XV, while Jordan Jackson-Hope will start at fullback and Tomas Cubelli returns at No. 9.

I really think he need to run someone else @10 just in case we need cover. I can only hope that he is giving Hawera some time to sight and acclimatise to the Chiefs pace and patterns before getting him off to protect him.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...me-of-super-rugby-season-20170712-gx9guc.html

 

[RugbyReg]

Terrible idea. Won't quite be the Tahs 90 pnt flogging by the Cru, but could be up there. Chiefs have plenty to play for.

 

[amirite]

Across many competitions, amateur and professional, I've seen the rugby gods (or rugby karma, whatever you want to call it) bite teams that do this in the ass. I can't say why.

Maybe it's bad juju for essentially throwing in the towel in a competitive fixture. Yes yes, nobody in the 23 or the support staff (coach included) will do anything but their best, but you're not putting yourself in a position to win with your selections.

 

[mst]

Yeah, I am not convinced its a smart move especially coming off a long break, having a week on then the next off before going in to a playoff.

If there is a positive to this its that it appears that a lot of guys will get a run who would normally be left out.

I am uncomfortable with it and think it will bite us. Its a finals momentum killer both on and off the field.

 

[Braveheart81]

12 changes for the Brumbies.

 

[Slim 293]

Interesting tactics..........

But I would love to see some of those guys put in a good showing.

 

[Braveheart81]

So there's a pretty reasonable chance the Chiefs will leapfrog the Hurricanes to finish 5th and then play the Brumbies again a week later in Canberra right?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^ Chiefs win + Hurricanes lose = Chiefs to Canberra, 'canes to Cape Town, vice versa if they both win or Chiefs lose.

 

[MarkJ]

I reckon it shows that the Brumbies depth isn't too bad. Fakisolea and Ah Wong probably the biggest steps down in quality from the normal starters.

JJH at fullback could be genius or a disaster. I'm guessing the hope is the Chiefs won't kick it much.

I'm sure they'll get thumped by the Chiefs, but so would the first choice team

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Chiefs (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivell, Charlie Ngatai, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (c), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Michael Leitch, Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Kane Hames. Reserves (16-23): Liam Polwart, Aidan Ross, Atu Moli, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Karpik, Finlay Christie, Stephen Donald, Shaun Stevenson.

Chiefs by 20+. Oh, it'll be cold, too, possibly Canberra cold even with a 17:15 local kickoff.

 

[2bluesfan]

Chiefs by 20+

Probably more if the weather eases up a bit. Strong Chiefs team - I'll be interested in seeing how Mitchell Brown goes at lock. He's had a pretty strong season so far at flanker.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is there a long kicker anywhere in that backline? Brumbies might be forced to run the ball whenever they have possession.

The pack should still give a good account, but I think that backline will struggle against the Chiefs. Whole team will need to muscle up in defense, otherwise a massacre is on the cards.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Is there a long kicker anywhere in that backline? Brumbies might be forced to run the ball whenever they have possession.

You'd be happy with that, wouldn't you?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Probably more if the weather eases up a bit. Strong Chiefs team - I'll be interested in seeing how Mitchell Brown goes at lock. He's had a pretty strong season so far at flanker.

It's still frickin cold with the odd sleet shower but is meant to warm up a bit tomorrow & maybe hit 13C mid-afternoon. Once the sun goes, though, it'll get really cold really quick esp if the sou-wester kicks in. But, having now seen the two lineups I think you're right, 20 is the absolute minimum the Chiefs should be looking for.