@Duluth New Plymouth, against a very different team that will play this game. Still, no lack of motivation for the Chiefs.

@Bovidae

Yeah it should have very little influence on this game

It would be funny if a great season for Chiefs was ruined by two loses to the Reds though

Referee Angus Gardner

@Duluth said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

What the injury situation for the Chiefs?

To answer this question, McWhannell, Vaa'i and Nankivell were the main players who left the field in Perth. I would assume that Vaa'i is fine as it seemed more precautionary. Lord played club rugby on the weekend so should be back in contention.

@Number-10 said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

Referee Angus Gardner

Could be worse, could be Pickerill.

@Number-10 said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

Referee Angus Gardner

where you get this info mate?

The toughest selection decision will be Finau or Sowakula at 6, and I think that Finau will start. He can empty the tank before being replaced by PGS. The rest of the forward pack picks itself. If Vaa'i isn't risked there are options (Ah Kuoi, Lord, Selby-Rickit).

Weber is available, so the only question mark in the backs is whether Nanivell is fit. Otherwise Poihipi plays.

I see that Trask was at training yesterday, and Tupaea is back too.

Trask finished up in Japan then? Guess he was always coming back for NPC.

@Crucial The Japan League One Final was played on 20 May. Trask's club played it's last promotion/relegation game on 13 May. I think the League One season officially finished on the 31st of May.

@Duluth said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

It would be funny if a great season for Chiefs was ruined by two loses to the Reds though

I will laugh harder than ever before. All aboard the Brad Thorn train

If the Chiefs don't roll out their B team again, this is a foregone conclusion.

@antipodean all the quarters are, except the Bumbreeze and Hurricanes. Really ought to be a top 6 at most, but ideally a top 4.

Reds have won 2 of the last 3 against the Chiefs

The margin has been 6 points or less since 2019

I'd say this iteration of the Chiefs is the best since they won a title.

@antipodean said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

I'd say this iteration of the Chiefs is the best since they won a title.

I'd actually think they almosy best since they started?

@Dan54 said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

@antipodean said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

I'd say this iteration of the Chiefs is the best since they won a title.

I'd actually think they almosy best since they started?

You'd need to compare with 2013. Really rough comparison probably edges it to 2023 on the loosies, but even that is very debateable.

Props: 2013
Hooker: 2023
Locks: Equal (2023 on depth)
Loose Forwards: 2023
Halfback: Equal
First-five: Equal
Midfield: 2013 (Ngatai, Kahui, Aki vs ALB, Poihipi, Nankivell)
Wings: Equal
Fullback: 2023

Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Queensland Reds:
1 Aidan Ross (71)
2 Samisoni Taukai'aho (75)
3 John Ryan (14)
4 Brodie Retallick (125)
5 Josh Lord (18)
6 Samipeni Finau (29)
7 Sam Cane (Co-Captain, 147)
8 Luke Jacobson (60)
9 Brad Weber (Co-Captain, 120)
10 Damian McKenzie (108)
11 Etene Nanai-Seturo (41)
12 Rameka Poihipi (27)
13 Anton Lienert-Brown (103)
14 Emoni Narawa (26)
15 Shaun Stevenson (81)

Reserves
16 Bradley Slater (48)
17 Ollie Norris (42)
18 George Dyer (18)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (46)
20 Pita Gus Sowakula (66)
21 Cortez Ratima (23)
22 Josh Ioane (9)
23 Daniel Rona (8)

Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets.

Players unavailable for selection due to injury:
Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Laghlan McWhannell, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Alex Nankivell, Tupou Vaa’i.

Thompson over Slater for me. Interesting that Ryan and Dyer have swapped. Otherwise as expected.

Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa'agase, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell

Reserves: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Lopeti Faifua, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan

@Duluth said in QF: Chiefs v Reds:

Reds have won 2 of the last 3 against the Chiefs

The margin has been 6 points or less since 2019

Odd that the Chiefs struggle so much against them, we seem to find it hard to break down their defensive system.

Which is ironical as other teams seem to have no problems at all...