@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.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

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

Having no DMac is bad. No DMac and Cane is much badder. No DMac, Cane and BBBR is hopeless.

On paper the Canes have this easily. As I said though, there is a glimmer of hope in that if our loosies all play out of their skins (which they sometimes do individually), it will keep us in the game enough that anything could happen.

Not something I would put money on though.

@Crucial it’s ok mate if any team can be off the boil it’s my beloved Canes I’d be optimistic if I was you we don’t do favourites well

On paper the Canes have this easily.

Well, on paper :

Armstrong < Ta'avao
Aumua < Harris
May < Moli
Blackwell < Allardice
Leaupepe < Brown
Fifita > Jacobson (not so sure on current form)
Savea > Boshier
Prinsep < Ardron
TJP > Weber
Barrett > MacKenzie
Tiatia < Wainui
Laumape < ALB
Proctor > Manu
Goosen > Moeakiola
Barrett < Alaimalo

So the Canes superiority on paper is not so evident. If the Chiefs dominate up front - which is probable - it should be a tight result.

@cgrant looks about right although that's a pretty bold call at fullback.

@Bones in the most key positions 7, 9 & 10 the Canes look far superior so that will give them a big edge and the fact that the Chiefs three best players are sitting in the stands.

Very curious about the status of Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, just wondering if he is signed for the chiefs in 2012..
I find it really strange he’s ranked the no3 ABs halfback, can’t always make the chiefs starting 23 little alone the number 9 jersey..is it something he’s done wrong within the squad work ethic or is he signing with another franchise ..?
I

@Steven-Harris said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

Very curious about the status of Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, just wondering if he is signed for the chiefs in 2012..

Nothing public about having signed beyond 2019.