@no-quarter I'm sure he could have been a very good fullback if he'd played a lot of rugby there. Perhaps they think his leadership at the back is more valuable for McKenzie than it would in midfield, with ALB able to help there. Or perhaps the drop down to the next available fullback is bigger than the drop to the next available midfielder. I'm happy with either rationale.

What I don't like is the suspicion that he's playing back there to protect him from more concussions. That sounds really dodgy to me.

@stargazer

Thanks. He is playing tomorrow. There's a guy at fullback called Zac Guildford too.

@ploughboy said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

mitch Jacobson probably not involved because he struggles at npc level let alone at a higher level

I think that's harsh as he was one of the best performers for Waikato last year. Jacobson hasn't been given an opportunity to prove himself, and I think he offers more than Karpik.

@no-quarter said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

What are Chiefs fans thoughts of Ngatai continuing to play 15? I feel like he's wasted there, and sometimes gets exposed, whereas at 12 he's all class and will touch the ball far more regularly as well. A cool head outside of DMac wouldn't be a bad thing either.

I don't think there would be any Chiefs fan who doesn't want Ngatai playing at 12, except Fa'auli's family.

@Milk
Let's see what happens next week when ALB won't be there. If Ngatai is still at fullback with Fa'auli and Nankivell in the midfield you have your answer. Stevenson is also back to provide another option in the back three.

@bovidae said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

@no-quarter said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

What are Chiefs fans thoughts of Ngatai continuing to play 15? I feel like he's wasted there, and sometimes gets exposed, whereas at 12 he's all class and will touch the ball far more regularly as well. A cool head outside of DMac wouldn't be a bad thing either.

I don't think there would be any Chiefs fan who doesn't want Ngatai playing at 12, except Fa'auli's family.

@Milk
Let's see what happens next week when ALB won't be there. If Ngatai is still at fullback with Fa'auli and Nankivell in the midfield you have your answer. Stevenson is also back to provide another option in the back three.

From memory, he's meant to be the next 15 too, so it'll be strange if he doesn't get time there now that he's fit.I worry that he'l leave if he only gets time on the wing, as I seem to remember he really wants to play 15.

On Ngatai, I think it's about his head. He should be at 12, and it's a joke that we have a fit 15 and Ngatai still at the back.

@bovidae said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

@ploughboy said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

mitch Jacobson probably not involved because he struggles at npc level let alone at a higher level

I think that's harsh as he was one of the best performers for Waikato last year. Jacobson hasn't been given an opportunity to prove himself, and I think he offers more than Karpik.

I didn't think he was particularly outstanding. And it was such a trash team that being the best in it isn't saying much.

I'd pick Karpik.

@chester-draws

Karpik is too small for me. He often gets outmuscled at the breakdown.

@bovidae said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

@chester-draws

Karpik is too small for me. He often gets outmuscled at the breakdown.

I think you are wrong.

Wasn't Henwood a chief? From what I've seen this season he would have been been the better one to keep.

Very average first half. One try to ALB and a penalty to the Stormers. And a lot of errors. Why kick from 55-60 metres at the end? That was clearly beyond Dmac's range; they should have gone for the line-out. HT: Stormers 3 - 5 Chiefs

Wow, really bad officiating. First obstruction from the Chiefs not spotted, and then Stormers penalised for jumping too quickly in the line-out while it was in fact a Chiefs player jumping first.

Chiefs are looking average ... as expected.

Fa’auli is such a dumb player. He went in to do a clean out when there was no tackle and just blew past the player he should have been supporting.

Anyway, Chiefs are playing better, so should now be able to get back the lead. Scrum close to the Stormers' try line.

@nepia It's worrying, because if they play like this with their ABs, how are they going to play without their ABs next week?

@stargazer said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

@nepia It's worrying, because if they play like this with their ABs, how are they going to play without their ABs next week?

They don’t have the depth this year, they need Cane and Rettalick to both be playing to put in good performance.

Shitty pass from ALB - or was it Stevenson?

@nepia Stevenson.

Damn, we won a scrum penalty try with Prattley!

@stargazer I'm hoping a damn sight better.....

Chiefs doing it tough, but love the big boppers getting involved

Fucken forward pass or fucken knock-0n - which is it then you fucken muppets