@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:

@kiwi_expat Just because they aren't listed as injured doesn't mean they are all ready to play.

Ioane's father has just died, so I doubt rugby is his no.1 priority at the moment.

As I've said before, Wrampling is to return via club rugby which only starts this weekend for the Waikato competition. No idea about Reihana, who hasn't played at all, but he often plays for Melville so could be involved too.

After signing Reihana they just haven’t given him a go. Seem to have written him off.

Will hopefully be a cracker. Supposed to piss down on Saturday. Can't shake the feeling that the Blues will win it by 3 or so.

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs v Blues:

Will hopefully be a cracker. Supposed to piss down on Saturday. Can't shake the feeling that the Blues will win it by 3 or so.

Blues feel like the classic canes - some backline firepower, but a weak tight 5 that keeps costing games. No one puts tight forwards on promotional material, but they're everything in rugby.

Chiefs by a thowwwsand

@nzzp pulling no punches I see, Chiefs are the underdogs, Blues by a million

Chiefs will win this one. Blues have a horrible record in Hamilton don't they? Also, Beaudy is back at 10 so that pretty much seals it for the Chiefs.

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs v Blues:

@nzzp pulling no punches I see, Chiefs are the underdogs, Blues by a million

Chiefs are favourites at TAB and for good reason. WE've got a light tight 5, a converted flanker at lock, and a beanpole beside him. Our starting prop is out for the season and we're playing an immobile aging scrummager beside a discarded hooker.

@nzzp The Chiefs are missing their starting TH prop too, as well as the top 3 midfielders.

The last time the Blues played in Hamilton they won convincingly, so the Blues must be favourites.

@Crucial said in Chiefs v Blues:

After signing Reihana they just haven’t given him a go. Seem to have written him off.

It would be good to know what the situation is with Reihana. He didn't play in the pre-season games, or for the Chiefs Dev team in their game against the Chiefs U20s. There has to be a reason for his continued absence.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:

The last time the Blues played in Hamilton they won convincingly, so the Blues must be favourites.

I'm still dirty about the maul try that got overturned and a penalty awarded a couple of years ago. Cost us a place in the final. Still a ropey call given how mauls get reffed, but that's life. Still - like Lions 2, it wasn't just the penalty but the fact we then imploded afterwards that pisses me off even more.

I'm off to the Grumpy thread now

@Canes4life We've won 2 of the last 3 there and beat them 25-0 last year with Barrett having a blinder in both victories.

@nzzp Yup, would have been 3 victories in a row in Hamilton, and 7 in a row against the Chiefs if it weren't for that.

Still got a poor record against the Chiefs though according to some.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Crucial said in Chiefs v Blues:

After signing Reihana they just haven’t given him a go. Seem to have written him off.

It would be good to know what the situation is with Reihana. He didn't play in the pre-season games, or for the Chiefs Dev team in their game against the Chiefs U20s. There has to be a reason for his continued absence.

Not a lot of time last season either.
I recall him coming off the bench at first-five in one game and playing well but then wasn’t seen again.

I think the Chiefs are due a loss and the Blues will edge this in a close game.

Chiefs by 15..

Blues forwards to give away too many penalties early while the smiling assassin will walk up and kick the Chiefs into a early lead, Beaudy with a 3 man overlap will try and kick pass instead... but alas will go to Stevenson who appears to have Will Jordan like capabilities lately get a magic bounce and put ENS away for a try. Blues subs to add impact but in chasing the game Rieko will break through a gap but ignore support to go himself ..fail..and the margin cant be reduced..

Close?

@bayimports said in Chiefs v Blues:

Chiefs by 15..

Blues forwards to give away too many penalties early while the smiling assassin will walk up and kick the Chiefs into a early lead, Beaudy with a 3 man overlap will try and kick pass instead... but alas will go to Stevenson who appears to have Will Jordan like capabilities lately get a magic bounce and put ENS away for a try. Blues subs to add impact but in chasing the game Rieko will break through a gap but ignore support to go himself ..fail..and the margin cant be reduced..

Close?

You forgot that Caleb Clarke will break through a couple of tackles, get in the clear, trip over his own feet then spill the ball

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Crucial said in Chiefs v Blues:

After signing Reihana they just haven’t given him a go. Seem to have written him off.

It would be good to know what the situation is with Reihana. He didn't play in the pre-season games, or for the Chiefs Dev team in their game against the Chiefs U20s. There has to be a reason for his continued absence.

He was just on an overseas holiday with his partner based on his Instagram posts and stories

@African-Monkey said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Canes4life We've won 2 of the last 3 there and beat them 25-0 last year with Barrett having a blinder in both victories.

Nevertheless, Chiefs to win by 10.

Is it already known who of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Zarn Sullivan will be on the Blues' bench?

@Stargazer depends on AJ Lam as of last evening

@Yeetyaah odd for him to go on holiday at this stage unless he had an injury or they determined they'd not need him?