The Gallagher Chiefs team to take on the Stormers is:

1. Karl Tu’inukuafe (8)
2. Nathan Harris (39)
3. Angus Ta’avao (9)
4. Brodie Retallick (93)
5. Michael Allardice (26)
6. Luke Jacobson (6)
7. Liam Messam (171)
8. Tyler Ardron (6)
9. Brad Weber (49)
10. Damian McKenzie (59)
11. Solomon Alaimalo (18)
12. Johnny Faauli (14)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (49)
14. Toni Pulu (26)
15. Charlie Ngatai (48) (c)
16. Liam Polwart (15)
17. Sam Prattley (2)
18. Jeff Thwaites (6)
19. Jesse Parete (1)
20. Pita Gus Sowakula (4)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (9)
22. Marty McKenzie (13)
23. Shaun Stevenson (25)

Make or break for the Chiefs as I can't see an understrength team beating the Sharks next week.

I think the Chiefs are done this season sadly.

@nepia

If they lose this one, I think they are really up against it, as second-stringers will not beat Sharks. Bit mystified by the addition of Matich and Parete when an openside and lock seemed to be needed for SA.

Surely they will need to play strongest team v Waratahs when they return, to get the points (hopefully), meaning that McKenzie and Lienert-Brown then get rested v Crusaders. So, I can't foresee much positive momentum going into the break.

@arhs Are there no 7s floating around? It seems weird, like we've got five 6/8s.

Looking forward to see how Ardon goes as a loosie, he's had a decent season.

@nepia

Can't quite figure why the reluctance to involve Mitch Jacobsen, unless studies or other commitments prevent him from travelling. Likewise, seems odd to have James Tucker back as captain of Development team, and not used as a specialist lock. And is Jordan Manihera still aligned to Crusaders?

I do think Parete has a lot to offer nevertheless and keen to see Ardron at number 8. But, what happens next week v the Sharks lock-wise? Shame Keepa Mewett not involved.

Sowakula and Parete would be the backup (short) locks, the latter having played there for the Chiefs Dev team. Tucker would have been a useful replacement for this tour.

@Nepia As I mentioned in another thread, Mitch Jacobson could have been used as a specialist no.7. Messam playing there isn't ideal.

Edit: Written before seeing @ARHS's post.

@arhs said in Stormers vs Chiefs:

And is Jordan Manihera still aligned to Crusaders?

I haven't seen his name listed in the HOB teams playing club rugby, which suggests he isn't in Hamilton at present.

Stormers
15 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Seabelo Senatla

Their results so far this year: 11 games 5 wins, 6 losses

100% at home
0% away

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.

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

@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.