I think that the Chiefs team named tomorrow will largely be predictable. Injuries to some obvious starters will mean it won't be the strongest team available, and I am curious to see who plays on the right wing. I hope they don't move Stevenson there and play Ioane at fullback. I'd be tempted to play Rona.

Halfback will be a 50/50 but on form you'd have to select Ratima ahead of Roe. I wouldn't be surprised if MSR and Vaa'i are the locks. Ah Kuoi could even be the 6 if Finau isn't fit. McMillan did say they would reward pre-season form so Sititi could earn himself a spot on the bench.

Whoever is selected, the Chiefs will have to have a huge improvement on their pre-season performances.

You'd think it'll be Peniasi Malimali and ENS on the wings (despite both their defensive issues), though they're generally both specialist left wingers. ENS has spent plenty of time at fullback for Counties though so maybe he'll be shifted over.

@Mr-Fish ENS' defence was hugely improved last season.

Assuming that the Chiefs midfield combo will be Tupaea and ALB, there was an interesting stat about their partnership in an article by Aaron Goile. They have started together in just 9 of the Chiefs' last 61 games, and none of the last 27 games (from Tupaea's debut in 2020). Obviously both have had serious long-term injuries in recent seasons but that surprised me.

We should be expecting team list today right?

@Yeetyaah @george33 just posted that all teams are being announced at 4pm.

@Canes4life must be a fact then

@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Yeetyaah @george33 just posted that all teams are being announced at 4pm.

A coordinated press release with coaches interviews etc .

@Chris about time Super Rugby sorted it out.

@Canes4life yeah it's a good thing , but in saying that like the league could b changes on match day

@george33 yeah but that could happen if you named the team a day out aswell. Good to see IMO.

True

The Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Crusaders:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Bradley Slater
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Kaylum Boshier
8. Luke Jacobson (Captain)
9. Xavier Roe
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling
15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Simon Parker
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Josh Ioane
23. Daniel Rona

A few surprises for me. No MSR, but Tupou on the bench. Jacobson is definitely the backup 7.

LCF is the safe option on the right wing.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

A few surprises for me. No MSR, but Tupou on the bench. Jacobson is definitely the backup 7.

LCF is the safe option on the right wing.

loose forwards as i expected this early in season. but hope to see finau/jacobson and parker ar 8 at some stage.

What is this? 2016?

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

MSR

Simply not very good.

@ploughboy said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

loose forwards as i expected this early in season. but hope to see finau/jacobson and parker ar 8 at some stage.

Agreed. As I had said previously, Parker replaces PGS as the impact loose forward. Ah Kuoi as a 6 option seems to have been shelved now.

I hope the teams also release who is unavailable for selection.

looking forward to seeing QT at #12 again