Chiefs have won 4 in a row against the Highlanders. The last 3 games have been comfortable margins too (24, 21 & 10 point victories)
Tab currently has it 1.20 v 4.50
Chiefs
Match thread
Highlanders
Round 5 and the this is the 3rd Chiefs match in Hamilton. But remember the Melbourne match was also technically a home game
Only 3 of the remaining 9 games are at home
Photos have shown Narawa and Ah Kuoi training. Even excluding Tupou, McMillan won't be able to fit the other four locks into the 23. Either MSR or Ah Kuoi misses out I think.
If Narawa starts then Rona goes back to centre? Or maybe Tupaea (not his best position).
so chiefs will be desperate to get the points before a tough run to finals
I think the TAB odds are probably right, hope we can keep it close, make them work for it
Unavailable for selection: Kaleb Trask (injury), Malachi Wrampling (injury), Samisoni Taukei’aho (All Blacks rest), Anton Lienert-Brown (injury/concussion)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (capt), Sean Withy, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
full strength so not surrendering, ive always really liked CGB so happy to see him get a couple of games
Cant help but think i might have even started with Ajay...and had Patchell close it out...might to late for the young exciting play to achieve much by the time he comes on
@Duluth said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (capt), Sean Withy, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
IMO, this is pretty much the best side we could have put out. Only complaint would be I'd have Hastie over Arscott, and probably Bogado over CGB, but realistically if we are going well both will be negligible as I doubt they'll see much game-time.
This should be a good game. From what I have seen this season, I'd expect to see this be a close game for the first 60 minutes for definite... Highlanders likely to start well, so it should be fairly level at this point - particularly if they rebound after a step backwards last week.
What this will come down to, is whether the Highlanders can close it out. The Chiefs bench is undoubtedly stronger, particularly in the tight five, so it will be crucial the Highlanders avoid going to scrum time as the game closes out.
I honestly believe if the Highlanders can be accurate, they are absolutely a chance.
Looking forward to seeing Narawa back on the park for the Chiefs. One of the standouts in Super last year.
@Canes4life me too mate, really hope he can get back last year's form (except against Canes of course)
@akan004 said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
How annoying is the music.
nearly as much as the lack of rugby in the first 5 mins.... literally not even a pass or a tackle yet
