@chimoaus said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

I don't know why but I can't help but think the Chiefs have not played like they are the 3rd best side in the comp. Full credit to the team for getting the points but they have not really hit their straps

Not for 80 minutes, no.
When they get going though they are good.
I think the forced use of Ioane at 15 could be an unplanned master stroke though. I have been surprised that we haven’t seen Reihana there but we aren’t party to what goes on elsewhere.
Nothing wrong with the forwards and QT and Poihipi together provide good punch in the midfield. Creative play from the back three is what has been missing.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Referee:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2:Dan Waenga
TMO :Chris Hart

Berry mmmm Tahs are closer now.and Way as touchie scary.

@Crucial said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Nothing wrong with the forwards and QT and Poihipi together provide good punch in the midfield.

I would prefer to put Nankivell back at centre and move Poihipi to the bench. Lowe and Narawa on the wings.

Crazy to think it's the first home playoff since 2013. Just got my tickets bloody excited hopefully the boys pop off.

@Bovidae said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

@Crucial said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Nothing wrong with the forwards and QT and Poihipi together provide good punch in the midfield.

I would prefer to put Nankivell back at centre and move Poihipi to the bench. Lowe and Narawa on the wings.

I’m worried that Nanks has burned out. In the last few weeks he has been a shadow of how he played earlier in the season.
Happy for him to start at 13 with Poihipi on the bench though in case he finds his form as he was very good.

@Crucial I'm hoping that playing at centre will be just the tonic.

Tupaea and Poihipi are too similar for me.

If Stevenson got through his club game he might be an option for the bench. No idea if ENS is fit and available this week.

@Bovidae said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

@Crucial I'm hoping that playing at centre will be just the tonic.

Tupaea and Poihipi are too similar for me.

If Stevenson got through his club game he might be an option for the bench. No idea if ENS is fit and available this week.

There are quite a few comments about the coaching team not settling on their best XV but to be fair to them they haven't had a chance with constant unavailables in the worst spots at the worst times.
At the start of the season they declared a plan to establish a consistent back three by providing early opportunities followed by consistent game time for whoever put their hand up. They haven't been able to do that to the extent that even midfielders have had to start on the wing.

@Bovidae said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

The first home playoff game for the Chiefs since 2013. Yep, it's been that long.

Unfortunately I have a family event on Saturday so can't go, and likely won't see any of the QFs that day.

Families eh?

@Chris said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Referee:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2:Dan Waenga
TMO :Chris Hart

Berry mmmm Tahs are closer now.and Way as touchie scary.

That's it - get in early with lowered expections. It'll make the win sweeter

Waratahs

1 Angus Bell, 2 Dave Porecki, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Jed Holloway, 5 Ned Hanigan, 6 Charlie Gamble, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Will Harris, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 10 Tane Edmed, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Alex Newsome, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Ben Donaldson

Reserves: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Hugh Sinclair, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Langi Gleeson, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Jamie Roberts

Players unavailable for selection: Geoff Cridge – HIA (SF+) Hugh Bokenham – Ankle (Season) Izaia Perese – Knee (SF+) James Ramm – Ankle (SF+) Joey Walton – ACL (Season) Lachlan Swinton - Shoulder (Season) Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco – Shoulder (TBC) Te Tera Faulkner – Ankle (TBC) Will Harrison – ACL, MCL (season)

Paddy Ryan to come on late and give away a crucial penalty

Screenshot from the team list that someone put in the Blues thread. I like Narawa at 15 and good to see Etene back.

Narawa at fullback and Cane at 7??

@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Cane at 7??

Que?

@Yeetyaah said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

@ARHS said in QF Chiefs v Waratahs:

Cane at 7??

Que?

Only news during the week was him sitting out training then various articles saying he was all washed up for AB's. I thought a bench spot was the best to hope for. But he is starting. Had expected Stevenson or Ioane at 15.

The Chiefs were saying that if this was a final Cane would play. I guess we find out tomorrow...

@Bovidae so glad he is there. He brings a real urgency to the forward effort. Glad Nankivell back at centre. But surprised neither Tiatia or Stevenson in back 3 for long clearances.
Beware Jake Gordon and players hunting intercepts....

If that’s the team, I’m pretty happy. Would prefer Ratima to Roe.
I get the point about clearing kicks but Stevenson has never nailed down other aspects of play. In particular he has a habit of shifting the ball into danger.

ENS has a useful kick.

I really thought they would stay with Ioane at fullback.