@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?

Looking forward to this match.... certainly should be a step up from the mis-matches.

Just confirmed: AJ Lam out; Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens starting at 14. So I assume that means Zarn Sullivan on the bench.

@george33 said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Stargazer depends on AJ Lam as of last evening

..and AJ is out

So JRK starts and Zarn is on the bench

pumped for this even though I'm pretty neutral between these two teams.

Really want to See BB put the shitty kicks away and take the line on a bit .. ( not holding my breath)

Think the chiefs locks have it over the blues .. and rest of the packs match up well.. it will be interesting to see who provides the better ball for their respective backs

Big test for Stephenson. He needs to step up in these games if he wants higher honours.