@Canes4life

Looking at the Canes squad list a few days ago, I noticed that Kane Leupepe now has a profile on that page. It looks like he's officially the replacement of Lousi. I find it really strange that they're now picking him ahead of players that were already in the squad, Cridge and Walker-Leawere. Great for their confidence, too. :unamused_face:

Tiatia on the wing is a joke.

@Stargazer Is your guy (Lowe) injured, or do just keep him in the squad without intending to ever play him?

@Yeetyaah said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

In the Chiefs media post on their website it says Brodie is unavailable due to All Blacks leave. Fuck knows what that means, surely Cooper wouldn't opt to rest him against the Canes.

Just guessing, but the Canes don't have a great tight five, so maybe that's why they've picked this game? You certainly don't want to leave him out of the squad against South African teams, or against the other NZ squads. Although you have to wonder whether they couldn't have waited until the first upcoming game against an Aussie squad (Reds on 24 May).

@Tim Never officially confirmed by the Canes (who are terrible at injury updates, and the media ignore every Cane that is not one of their "stars"), but I've seen photos on his instagram where he had his arm in a sling. No idea what kind of injury (arm or shoulder) and how bad though.

@Stargazer said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Canes4life

Looking at the Canes squad list a few days ago, I noticed that Kane Leupepe now has a profile on that page. It looks like he's officially the replacement of Lousi. I find it really strange that they're now picking him ahead of players that were already in the squad, Cridge and Walker-Leawere. Great for their confidence, too. :unamused_face:

Tiatia on the wing is a joke.

He was initially signed by Bay of Plenty and the Chiefs as a winger when the WRFU, in their wisdom, preferred Malo Tuitama so perhaps it is not quite so leftfield.
I agree with your comments about replacement signing Leaupepe being preferred ahead of players initially rated ahead of him. Assuming the respective websites are up to date and accurate and to save everyone a bit of research time the Hurricanes Recruitment and Development Manager is Darren Larsen who presumably reports to either, or both of Avan Lee (Chief Executive Officer) or Ben Castle (General Manager - Rugby) whilst the Chief Executive Office (Acting) of major shareholder (WRFU) is Matt Evans. The buck must surely stop with one of these folks...........................

Where are the players from that Leaupepe has leapfrogged?

@Bones Cridge played for Hunters last week and Walker-Leawere is on the bench this week. Though from various comments made by Plumtree it seems like he wants to ease IWL into Super Rugby by starting him off the pine this season.

Cridge is a strange one. This is his third year in the Canes and he has only made one appearance off the bench. Also Blackwell has played every game so you would think it would be worthwhile to rest him and give Cridge a run for his confidence.

Nevertheless the Canes should win this one comfortably at home, though we are talking about the Canes and they have been far from convincing compared to recent years so who knows.

@Canes4life what I don’t understand is IWL has been around for a few years he dosnt need to be eased into SR I’m pretty sure he’s even started a few games I really thought Plumtree was the answer not I’m really doubting it

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

Also Blackwell has played every game so you would think it would be worthwhile to rest him and give Cridge a run for his confidence.

Maybe Blackwell is the lineout caller. Will keep a closer eye on that on Saturday night.

@mikey07 100% agree that he should be starting. It isn't a coincidence that every time he comes on our scrum looks better and we start to look more threatening on attack. Maybe he is saving him for the latter stages of the competition when it gets alot more niggly. Who knows with Plumtree though, he seems to have his favourites (Blackwell, Tiatia, Prinsep) that he has to select instead of actually starting those that are specialized in those specific positions.

@Higgins surely Blackwell isn't the only lock capable of learning lineout calls.

@Canes4life I was only grasping at resaons that might be in favour of him being an everpresent starter.

@Higgins Plumtree has mentioned him being the most experienced but it still doesnt' mean he should be playing there. How many lineouts/kickoffs have we botched this year because of our locks being slightly too short. Those mistakes are far too costly and it will most likely be our downfall as we head into the business end of the season.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Higgins Plumtree has mentioned him being the most experienced but it still doesnt' mean he should be playing there. How many lineouts/kickoffs have we botched this year because of our locks being slightly too short. Those mistakes are far too costly and it will most likely be our downfall as we head into the business end of the season.

Got the answer?

@Bones Yeah some quality locks

@Bones Geoff Cridge, IWL - take your pick.

@Canes4life no but what's the number of lineouts/kickoffs lost for that reason?

@Bones well atm the Canes sit 14th for lineouts won at 81.6%.

If they can improve that stat alone the Canes should quite easily put more points on the board considering they are 1st at metres gained with 4231m.

It will take a massive effort from the Chiefs loosies for them to be in this game. Glimmer of hope is that they are actually capable of playing at that level at times during a season. Let's hope this is one of those nights.

@Crucial just can't see it without McKenzie and Rettalick on the park. They are too influential to this inexperienced Chiefs side.