This part can't be right? That is extraordinary if so and quite surprising. Surely the Crusaders would have done 8 straight?
"But what do you know, here they are, an extraordinary turnaround seeing them roar into the playoffs for an eighth-straight year - extending what was already a current record-streak for any team in the competition."
@KiwiMurph said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Hooroo I think the key point in there is 'current record-streak' - Crusaders current playoff streak is 4 (missed playoffs in 2015).
OK, I didn't realise they missed out in 2015. Just kind of assumed they are always there.
Yeah, Crusaders finished 7th with 46 points, the Stormers won the South African conference with 45 points to finish 3rd.
Those 2 players are great but Chiefs pack doesn't concern much TBH
Jaguares play SA sides who try to blast Jaguares and have largely failed to do so this season minus 2nd half vs Stormers in Cape Town
Sharks have an enormous pack much better than Chiefs & Jaguares handled them well
Chiefs big threats IMO are Weber ALB and their Back 3
Neutralise that threat & Jaguares will win by 10 points or so
Not sure Chiefs fans appreciate the Jaguares side they're playing this weekend compared to side they played 3 months ago
Team is night and Day in squad depth confidence and performance levels
Jaguares gifted the match away in last 5 mins Won't happen again
Time to end this mistake and beat Chiefs in Buenos Aires
@Jaguares4real
Bigger is not better. I know the UK systems have focussed on size and the SAs are just bememoths anyway, but the beauty of rugby is that size does not equal effectiveness (even in the forwards).
This game should be a cracker as both sides rely on forcing errors and pouncing afterwards.
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
Those 2 players are great but Chiefs pack doesn't concern much TBH
Jaguares play SA sides who try to blast Jaguares and have largely failed to do so this season minus 2nd half vs Stormers in Cape Town
Sharks have an enormous pack much better than Chiefs & Jaguares handled them well
Chiefs big threats IMO are Weber ALB and their Back 3
Neutralise that threat & Jaguares will win by 10 points or so
Not sure Chiefs fans appreciate the Jaguares side they're playing this weekend compared to side they played 3 months ago
Team is night and Day in squad depth confidence and performance levels
Jaguares gifted the match away in last 5 mins Won't happen again
Time to end this mistake and beat Chiefs in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires does a MUCH better steak than the Tron. Go the Jaguares!!
I'm very surprised by the chiefs optimistism, I think it's mostly inherent NZ bias. The jags are on a real roll, and are at home. The chiefs, even after their opposed training run last game, have a bloody long way to go to get to Argentina. I think there will be comfortable wins for all the home teams
@Machpants said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
I'm very surprised by the chiefs optimistism, I think it's mostly inherent NZ bias. The jags are on a real roll, and are at home. The chiefs, even after their opposed training run last game, have a bloody long way to go to get to Argentina. I think there will be comfortable wins for all the home teams
I think it is fair to have optimism that the Chiefs MAY overcome those facts. I don't think anyone here is declaring them favourites by any stretch.
What we do know is that for the first week of playoffs the travel factor is not so big. Chiefs have ensured travel at NZ night time so body clocks aren't too disrupted and the lineup will be fairly stable (hopefully) so the training can focus on sharpness.
I'm simply looking forward to the game as I am expecting a good one.
Jags are pretty much an international side so our bunch of hicks should be the underdogs.
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
Those 2 players are great but Chiefs pack doesn't concern much TBH
Jaguares play SA sides who try to blast Jaguares and have largely failed to do so this season minus 2nd half vs Stormers in Cape Town
Sharks have an enormous pack much better than Chiefs & Jaguares handled them well
Chiefs big threats IMO are Weber ALB and their Back 3
Neutralise that threat & Jaguares will win by 10 points or so
Not sure Chiefs fans appreciate the Jaguares side they're playing this weekend compared to side they played 3 months ago
Team is night and Day in squad depth confidence and performance levels
Jaguares gifted the match away in last 5 mins Won't happen again
Time to end this mistake and beat Chiefs in Buenos Aires
It’s not their size that is their point of difference, it’s their skill level.
As you say the Jags have been able to deal with the big sized SA packs, but it’s when the Chiefs try and speed the game up with their link game is where the Jags will be tested.
I do like the Jags chances. They are playing with confidence and are a far more committed defensive side.
Chiefs can score in bunches and of all the NZ sides they have these 15-20 minute bursts that either get them back into a game or turn it against the other.
People always talk about how big SA sides are.
Yet NZ sides rarely get pushed around. And the weights, as televised, are only a couple of kegs different. True, we can be out-muscled by sides who practice mauling more, etc, but weight is no deal.
The likes of Ben Tameifuna isn't a SA speciality.
Chiefs side with BBBR & Cane are an entirely different beast than without, it also helps lift those around them.
I dont think any optimism by Chiefs fans is mis-guided (see my comment above) that said I expect the team is very grounded and will know they are in for a match that should be test match intensity.
@Jaguares4real the way you are talking, the Jaguares just need to turn up and they will win, yet you point as Chiefs optimism?
Reckon this could be the game of the round.
@taniwharugby Agree, but I'm a Chiefs fan and I'm riding on the latest wins. Having Sammy and Guzzler back brings the leadership that they've missed all year back. Jaguares have been outstanding this year and I think it will be a great game but a close game. Always back my lads to get the W, even if statistically there's no hope.
@mariner4life said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
If DMac was fit we would be favourites for the whole comp
I've gone from wild pessimism about not winning a game all season after that first mauling from the Crusaders, to ridiculous optimism about flying back and forth around the globe and beating everyone over the next three weeks! 
@Donsteppa said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@mariner4life said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
If DMac was fit we would be favourites for the whole comp
I've gone from wild pessimism about not winning a game all season after that first mauling from the Crusaders, to ridiculous optimism about flying back and forth around the globe and beating everyone over the next three weeks!
That's the spirit! My hypocrisy knows no bounds when it comes to supporting the chiefs!!!
@Hooroo said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Donsteppa said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@mariner4life said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
If DMac was fit we would be favourites for the whole comp
I've gone from wild pessimism about not winning a game all season after that first mauling from the Crusaders, to ridiculous optimism about flying back and forth around the globe and beating everyone over the next three weeks!
That's the spirit! My hypocrisy knows no bounds when it comes to supporting the chiefs!!!
Fact is the Chiefs are a threat to any team when they have Cane and BBBR both fit and firing. History shows the travel is a bit of a killer, but your optimism is not completely misplaced. This should be a cracking game.
@No-Quarter said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Hooroo said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Donsteppa said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@mariner4life said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
If DMac was fit we would be favourites for the whole comp
I've gone from wild pessimism about not winning a game all season after that first mauling from the Crusaders, to ridiculous optimism about flying back and forth around the globe and beating everyone over the next three weeks!
That's the spirit! My hypocrisy knows no bounds when it comes to supporting the chiefs!!!
Fact is the Chiefs are a threat to any team when they have Cane and BBBR both fit and firing. History shows the travel is a bit of a killer, but you're optimism is not completely misplaced. This should be a cracking game.
Meh
Chiefs pack is run of the mill with a few star players
Jaguares play 4 SA side who ALL have better packs than the Chiefs
I'd also rate the Brumbies & Crusaders packs as well on a superior level to Chiefs and of course the Jaguares themselves
Chiefs rely on 4-5 star players Limit them and Jaguares win by 5-7 points
In a way it'll be like playing the Hurricanes both in style and dependency on stars to win games for them
Bear in mind Jaguares have the 2nd best Points Differential in 2nd halves of matches this season in SR
Chiefs better have a big lead early as Jaguares finish strong
Jaguares will also have an advantage as they're one of the fittest sides in the Comp
@mariner4life That's correct. The Chiefs lost to the Jaguares at home in 2018 (19 - 23) and beat them in Buenos Aires in 2016 (26 - 30) and 2019 (27 - 30). The teams didn't play each other in 2017.
All three games were really close, so it should be an exciting game this weekend.
@Stargazer said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
es were really close, so it should be an exciting game this weekend.
Indeed both game in BA have been very close and games Jaguares have lost in last 5 mins
Jaguares should have won both games but were careless and sloppy
DMac was a big favour in both of these previous wins
Without him Chiefs are a much weaker team & this version of the Jaguares is by FAR the best version in their 4 years playing in SR
Chiefs are a very good team but at BEST have a 25% chance of winning this weekend
I agree size doesn't matter re. forward packs
Jaguares pack has matched up very well this vs NZ packs
DOMINATED the soft Hurricanes pack in Cake Tin
Played well vs Landers
Belted Chiefs pack in 2nd half in Buenos Aires
TBH the Blues pack was very impressive in BA
Big Karl Ola T Big Pat and Akira were making yards and getting over advantage line 
Heck Pat wiped out Gus Creavy from the game with a brutal clear out of the ruck
@Jaguares4real the Jags will definitely be happy to have the Chiefs at home rather than traveling to Christchurch or Wellington. I agree they'll be confident they can get the job done, this is a great chance for them to make a semi final.
@No-Quarter said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Jaguares4real the Jags will definitely be happy to have the Chiefs at home rather than traveling to Christchurch or Wellington. I agree they'll be confident they can get the job done, this is a great chance for them to make a semi final.
And will probably look a little silly if the don't make the semi given the above write-ups....
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@No-Quarter said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Hooroo said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Donsteppa said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@mariner4life said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
If DMac was fit we would be favourites for the whole comp
I've gone from wild pessimism about not winning a game all season after that first mauling from the Crusaders, to ridiculous optimism about flying back and forth around the globe and beating everyone over the next three weeks!
That's the spirit! My hypocrisy knows no bounds when it comes to supporting the chiefs!!!
Fact is the Chiefs are a threat to any team when they have Cane and BBBR both fit and firing. History shows the travel is a bit of a killer, but you're optimism is not completely misplaced. This should be a cracking game.
Meh
Chiefs pack is run of the mill with a few star players
Jaguares play 4 SA side who ALL have better packs than the Chiefs
Which is why, of course, those SA sides finished so highly up the tables, having demolished the NZ sides with those superior packs.
No, wait, ....
I'm intrigued why you think the SA packs are superior -- and this is a game-winning attribute -- when it clearly isn't.
The Chiefs don't need to win it in the forwards. All they need to do is not lose it.
Meh
Chiefs pack is run of the mill with a few star players
Jaguares play 4 SA side who ALL have better packs than the Chiefs
Which is why, of course, those SA sides finished so highly up the tables, having demolished the NZ sides with those superior packs.
No, wait, ....
I'm intrigued why you think the SA packs are superior -- and this is a game-winning attribute -- when it clearly isn't.
The Chiefs don't need to win it in the forwards. All they need to do is not lose it.
Having a very good pack is nice starting point but isn't much use if your team is badly coached,has a lack of quality starting #10
Nepotism can also affect the team negatively Poor skill levels as well can be detrimental to a team Having your team decimated by players going to Europe/Japan will also likely weaken your team overall
The above scenarios explain why the SA sides whilst having dominant packs have struggled to be consistent this season
Let's not kid ourselves Chiefs are closer to SA sides than Jaguares
You have Crusaders Jaguares Hurricanes and Brumbies on a level way above everyone else
We're looking at a 2 game sample for the Chiefs :face_screaming_in_fear: :face_screaming_in_fear:
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
Meh
Chiefs pack is run of the mill with a few star players
Jaguares play 4 SA side who ALL have better packs than the Chiefs
Which is why, of course, those SA sides finished so highly up the tables, having demolished the NZ sides with those superior packs.
No, wait, ....
I'm intrigued why you think the SA packs are superior -- and this is a game-winning attribute -- when it clearly isn't.
The Chiefs don't need to win it in the forwards. All they need to do is not lose it.
Having a very good pack is nice starting point but isn't much use if your team is badly coached,has a lack of quality starting #10
Nepotism can also affect the team negatively Poor skill levels as well can be detrimental to a team Having your team decimated by players going to Europe/Japan will also likely weaken your team overall
The above scenarios explain why the SA sides whilst having dominant packs have struggled to be consistent this season
Let's not kid ourselves Chiefs are closer to SA sides than Jaguares
You have Crusaders Jaguares Hurricanes and Brumbies on a level way above everyone else
We're looking at a 2 game sample for the Chiefs :face_screaming_in_fear: :face_screaming_in_fear:
Chiefs did enough to finish 7th.
3rd in the pool that delivered 4 quarter finalists.
Beat some teams with MAAAAASSSSIVVVE forward packs.
Obviously they have a piss weak forward pack ...
I'm thinking Jagulars win this, and are deserved favourites, but I'm not convinced by your logic @Jaguares4real.
60/40 Jagulars to win.
Chiefs
1 Atu Moli (37)
2 Nathan Harris (57)
3 Angus Ta’avao (31)
4 Brodie Retallick (106)
5 Tyler Ardron (27)
6 Lachlan Boshier (43)
7 Sam Cane (110) (c)
8 Pita Gus Sowakula (14)
9 Brad Weber (71)
10 Jack Debreczeni (5)
11 Sean Wainui (25)
12 Anton Lienert-Brown (68)
13 Tumua Manu (15)
14 Shaun Stevenson (43)
15 Solomon Alaimalo (37)
Reserves:
16 Samisoni Taukei’aho (25)
17 Aidan Ross (24)
18 Nepo Laulala (31)
19 Jesse Parete (23)
20 Mitchell Jacobson (3)
21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (31)
22 Marty McKenzie (30)
23 Alex Nankivell (21)/Ataata Moeakiola (9)
() = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets
Unavailable for selection:
Bailyn Sullivan, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Fin Hoeata, Kane Hames, Laghlan McWhannell, Liam Polwart, Luke Jacobson, Michael Allardice, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Reuben O’Neill, Sam McNicol, Taleni Seu and Tiaan Falcon.
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
You have Crusaders Jaguares Hurricanes and Brumbies on a level way above everyone else
Debresceni deserves a lot of credit for how he's played lately. Noticable that chiefs playing well since he's been there
That tight five ... only 4 All Blacks and a Canadian international, with only one AB on the bench.
Handy looking team.
@taniwharugby said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
@Jaguares4real said in QF 3: Jaguares v Chiefs:
You have Crusaders Jaguares Hurricanes and Brumbies on a level way above everyone else
For all the Kiwis who don't watch Super Rugby out of NZ sides 
Brumbies won 10 games including their last 6 in a row
7 game winning streak at home Won their conference by 14 points
Beat Stormers in CT
Gave Jaguares a good game in BA when Jaguares were starting to fire
Battered Bulls + Lions at home
Battered Chiefs at home
Best win of the season though was beating Blues at home coming off a tough 2 game tour of SA + ARG whilst Blues were fresh off a bye
Need I go on...........
I'm here all week for any other parochial Kiwis
