Chiefs vs Highlanders: MATCH THREAD: Sunday 19th July

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:26 am

WHEN:
Sunday 19th July

KICK OFF:
Auckland - 3.35pm
Sydney – 1.35pm

WHERE:
Hamilton, NZ

VENUE:
FMG Stadium, Hamilton

REFEREE:
TBC

TEAMS:

15. Damian McKenzie
14. Sean Wainui
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Solomon Alaimalo
10. Kaleb Trask
9. Brad Weber

8. Pita Gus Sowakula
7. Sam Cane (c)
6. Lachlan Boshier
5. Mitchell Brown
4. Tupou Vaa’i
3. Nepo Laulala
2. Bradley Slater
1. Aidan Ross

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Reuben O’Neill
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Adam Thomson
20. Mitchell Karpik
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Aaron Cruden
23. Quinn Tupaea.

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.

booji boy · Post by **booji boy** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:29 am

Was Tehui's match thread not good enough?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=99692

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:30 am

The 4th vs 5th ranked teams in SR Aotearoa.

Whilst on the surface, this match featuring the bottom two teams in the comp might seem like a bit of a non-event, the reality is that there are no bad teams in this tournament. Both teams boast plenty of talented players, many of whom will be keen to impress the All Black selectors. Whilst the 0-4 Chiefs are out of contention for this year's silverware, the Highlanders at 1-3 are still in with a mathematical chance of winning this comp.

Enzedder · Post by **Enzedder** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:21 pm

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Mike Fraser

Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams

Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman

TMO: Brendon Pickerill

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:28 pm

Thanks for the thread AC. Assume that means your a home supporter this weekend.
Nice to see you on the chiefs bandwagon.

As for the chiefs they have to win eventually, don’t they?

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:58 am

kiwigreg369 wrote:Thanks for the thread AC. Assume that means your a home supporter this weekend.
Nice to see you on the chiefs bandwagon.

As for the chiefs they have to win eventually, don’t they?

You know I started the 'home team supporter starts the match thread' shtick on this forum back in the late 00's, as a troll tangent? It was a way to share some of the workload of starting threads but also to troll posters who started threads when their team wasn't the home team. Anyway, if you are offended by this thread please start one and I will happily dot out this one.

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:10 am

Ali's Choice wrote:
kiwigreg369 wrote:Thanks for the thread AC. Assume that means your a home supporter this weekend.
Nice to see you on the chiefs bandwagon.

As for the chiefs they have to win eventually, don’t they?
You know I started the 'home team supporter starts the match thread' shtick on this forum back in the late 00's, as a troll tangent? It was a way to share some of the workload of starting threads but also to troll posters who started threads when their team wasn't the home team. Anyway, if you are offended by this thread please start one and I will happily dot out this one.

As I said, thanks.

And I do welcome you to the Chiefs bandwagon. I realise you are originally an Auckland supporter but I think you like the chiefs (once they up their game a bit).

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:22 am

kiwigreg369 wrote:
Ali's Choice wrote:
kiwigreg369 wrote:Thanks for the thread AC. Assume that means your a home supporter this weekend.
Nice to see you on the chiefs bandwagon.

As for the chiefs they have to win eventually, don’t they?
You know I started the 'home team supporter starts the match thread' shtick on this forum back in the late 00's, as a troll tangent? It was a way to share some of the workload of starting threads but also to troll posters who started threads when their team wasn't the home team. Anyway, if you are offended by this thread please start one and I will happily dot out this one.
As I said, thanks.

And I do welcome you to the Chiefs bandwagon. I realise you are originally an Auckland supporter but I think you like the chiefs (once they up their game a bit).

behave!

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:31 am

Sadly I have resigned myself to a Landers loss in this one.

The Chiefs are too good a side to drop a fifth game against a side with such patchy form.

Particularly at home.

Prediction: Chiefs 29 Landers 23.

booji boy · Post by **booji boy** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:42 am

jdogscoop wrote:Sadly I have resigned myself to a Landers loss in this one.

The Chiefs are too good a side to drop a fifth game against a side with such patchy form.

Particularly at home.

Prediction: Chiefs 29 Landers 23.

I look forward to Aaron Mauger's post match interview where he looks harried and harassed by the result and he takes subtle potshots at both his team and the match officials diverting blame to anyone but himself. In that respect, as a coach, he is Gatland junior.

JPNZ · Post by **JPNZ** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:47 am

This is a hard game to get a read on, the Chiefs have been nothing short of awful in the last 4 games but they will be well rested and coming off the bye. The Highlanders on the other hand coming off three consecutive losses and are yet to win away from home. Chiefs, just...

HouseOfPane · Post by **HouseOfPane** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:54 am

jdogscoop wrote:Sadly I have resigned myself to a Landers loss in this one.

The Chiefs are too good a side to drop a fifth game against a side with such patchy form.

Particularly at home.

Prediction: Chiefs 29 Landers 23.

Unfortunately, I would have to agree with that. I'm sure the Landers will scrap and keep it close for a decent part (if not the whole way), but I just can't see them getting up here.

HouseOfPane · Post by **HouseOfPane** » Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:04 am

booji boy wrote:
jdogscoop wrote:Sadly I have resigned myself to a Landers loss in this one.

The Chiefs are too good a side to drop a fifth game against a side with such patchy form.

Particularly at home.

Prediction: Chiefs 29 Landers 23.
I look forward to Aaron Mauger's post match interview where he looks harried and harassed by the result and he takes subtle potshots at both his team and the match officials diverting blame to anyone but himself. In that respect, as a coach, he is Gatland junior.

Word on the street is that at least a few of the Landers players are becoming disillusioned with him as coach. apparently one week he'll say one thing, and then contradict himself the following week. This may or may not have come from a partner of one of the players, so take from it what you will.
This is just my opinion, but I think many would prefer Brown as coach, but I don't think that can happen because of his Japan commitments.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:15 am

Highlanders team added to the OP.

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.

A few changes to last week, notably Josh Ioane come into the 23. McKay starts on the right wing and Tokolahi starts at TH prop. Nice to see Folau Fakatava on the bench.

WoodlandsRFC · Post by **WoodlandsRFC** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:28 am

Ali's Choice wrote:Highlanders team added to the OP.

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.
A few changes to last week, notably Josh Ioane come into the 23. McKay starts on the right wing and Tokolahi starts at TH prop. Nice to see Folau Fakatava on the bench.

That's got to be the safest of "safe white boy" back three I've seen in years

WoodlandsRFC · Post by **WoodlandsRFC** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:30 am

I'll add De'Groot, he's a Southland lad from Southland Boys High School, pretty old school in his approach, would regularly have to pop his shoulder back in prior to every scrum, this was back in school boy rugby mind you.

Kahu · Post by **Kahu** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:32 am

Hopefully Gregory finds some form and confidence. Good on the coaches for persevering with him. It's hard watching young professional players struggle with consistency. Highlanders 1-12

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:40 pm

Kahu wrote:Hopefully Gregory finds some form and confidence. Good on the coaches for persevering with him. It's hard watching young professional players struggle with consistency. Highlanders 1-12

He's in danger of getting a disparaging nickname like Heartland Hammington, I will tell you that much.

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:55 pm

jdogscoop wrote:
Kahu wrote:Hopefully Gregory finds some form and confidence. Good on the coaches for persevering with him. It's hard watching young professional players struggle with consistency. Highlanders 1-12
He's in danger of getting a disparaging nickname like Heartland Hammington, I will tell you that much.

Great King St. Gregory, because he'd be lucky to be on the wing for the Alhambra-Union premier side?

I'm sure we can build on this start.

kiwigreg369 · Post by **kiwigreg369** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:58 pm

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.

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:59 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: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.

No KG sign off?

I call bullshit.

jdogscoop · Post by **jdogscoop** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:01 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: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.

In all seriousness that's a mean squad and probably a lil too hot for the Landers to handle.

I'll stick to my 29-23 prediction.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:24 am

The Chiefs team has been added to the OP;

15. Damian McKenzie
14. Sean Wainui
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Solomon Alaimalo
10. Kaleb Trask
9. Brad Weber

8. Pita Gus Sowakula
7. Sam Cane (c)
6. Lachlan Boshier
5. Mitchell Brown
4. Tupou Vaa’i
3. Nepo Laulala
2. Bradley Slater
1. Aidan Ross

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Reuben O’Neill
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Adam Thomson
20. Mitchell Karpik
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Aaron Cruden
23. Quinn Tupaea.

A couple of interesting selections for me. What's the consensus on kaleb Trask? Because to me he's shown nothing to suggest he is currently a SR quality no.10? He's the white Brett Cameron. So given Aaron Cruden has been relegated to the bench and Trask is in the run-on team I can only assume that with four matches remaining in Cruden's career at the CVchiefs, Gatland has decided that he needs to develop Trask for 2021 and beyond. I think that's a brave call, I'd be trying to poach one of the Blues or Highlanders bevvy of first fives instead. Only one of Josh Ioane or Mitch Hunt can be the starting 10 for the Highlanders moving forward, so I'd be targeting the other player. Ditto at the Blues Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plammer will be struggling for minutes behind Otere Black, so I would be offering them contracts. I think Trask needs more time to develop as a player.

The other interesting selection is ALB at centre. He has played all his previous Rugby in 2020 at 12. In their last game I was very critical of the Chiefs for attacking far too laterally, for moving the ball from sideline to sideline rather than straightening the attack. And it is clear that Warren Gatland has brought in burly Alex Nankivell to fix this problem, and provide some straight running at 12.

The Highlanders by 6 points.

booji boy · Post by **booji boy** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:29 am

At All Black level I think ALB has proven he is equally adept at 13 or 12. When slotting into the AB backline due to injuries whether he was partnering SBW, Goodhue, Crotty or Laumape he seemed to slot into either position seamlessly.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 2:45 am

Match day bump.

You'd have to think that all these players are playing for nothing more than pride and AB jerseys now. Both teams are no chance to win the comp. I have been very impressed with Paripari Parkinson this season, and if he continues to play well I think he will be selected for the AB's the year.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:06 am

Is there a worse commentator in any sport globally than Steven Bates?

Enzedder · Post by **Enzedder** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:29 am

Ali's Choice wrote:Is there a worse commentator in any sport globally than Steven Bates?

Christian Cullen

Jeff Wilson is equally bad

Murray Mexted (past tense)

Phil Kearns

JB1981 · Post by **JB1981** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:36 am

Enzedder wrote:
Ali's Choice wrote:Is there a worse commentator in any sport globally than Steven Bates?

Christian Cullen

Jeff Wilson is equally bad

Murray Mexted (past tense)

Phil Kearns

Mark Nicholas.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:38 am

Utterly ridiculous start to the match. For the second weekend in a row we've lost 5 minutes of gametime due to problems with the referees communication system. This is amateur hour!

JB1981 · Post by **JB1981** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:38 am

Let’s hope match quality improves from that kick off.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:43 am

The massive delays to fix the referee's communication system has destroyed any atmosphere that existed pre-match, and taken the crowd completely out of the game.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:45 am

Nice try to Boshier, but where was the fullback and cover?

7-0

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 4:51 am

Chiefs score another try, to ALB. Poor miss by Mikaele-Tu'u.

14-0

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:04 am

Another try for the Chiefs. Where has this form been previously. A great driving maul! The Highlanders are the Chiefs' private dancers right now.

Shrekles · Post by **Shrekles** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:08 am

Highlanders beginning to show some form on attack. I really like the Smith Hunt combo.

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:34 am

This is the worst the Highlanders have played all year. Whilst they are creating opportunities they are wasting them with poor skill execution in attack. And they're missing too many tackles in defense. Pita Gus Sowakula and Boshier have been great for the Chiefs, and Parkinson, Frizell and MMT have been the best for the Highlanders. Despite the great weather it hasn't been a game for the backs, the two Chiefs wingers are yet to touch the ball in attack.

Fat Old Git · Post by **Fat Old Git** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:37 am

Bugger, got caught up playing with a new toy and missed most of the first half as a result.

Looks like it was mostly one way traffic.

Enzedder · Post by **Enzedder** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:43 am

When did the Chiefs start resorting to rolling mauls.

God I hate them

Kiwias · Post by **Kiwias** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:43 am

Ali's Choice wrote:Another try for the Chiefs. Where has this form been previously. A great driving maul! The Highlanders are the Chiefs' private dancers right now.

An even better maul. The Clan forwards were all over the place

Ali's Choice · Post by **Ali's Choice** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:44 am

Enzedder wrote:When did the Chiefs start resorting to rolling mauls.

God I hate them

It's been very effective, Gatland is turning the Chiefs into Wales.