Saturday 14th February 2026 7:05 PM (NZST)

TAB Odds:

Blues $2.50

Chiefs $1.50

We will definitely not have Barrett, Tuipulotu, or Cam Christie available for the first game, and we've seen who's played where in the second pre-season game.

So how does the 23 look for next Saturday, and will they bring some experienced players on in the 2nd half from the bench? Might see Tu'ungufasi coming on after 45 or 50 mins, and Segner starting at 6? On the the other hand, they'd love to get on top of the Chiefs set-piece early. Beehre might be a nice option off the bench to carry hard. Forbes might start on the wing for his high ball game and experience.

1 Fusitu'a
2 Slater
3 Reneta
4 Darry
5 Beehre
6 Segner
7 Papali'i
8 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 Perofeta
11 Clarke
12 Aki
13 Lam
14 Vai
15 Sullivan

16 Eklund
17 Lay
18 Tu'ungufasi
19 McWhannell
20 Wrampling
21 Nock
22 Simpson
23 Evans/Forbes

For reference, this was the team that played in the QF against the Chiefs last year:

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (35)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (49)
3. Marcel Renata (64)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (122)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (21)
6. Adrian Choat (53)
7. Dalton Papali’i (95)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (76)
9. Finlay Christie (66)
10. Beauden Barrett (42)
11. Caleb Clarke (73)
12. AJ Lam (56)
13. Rieko Ioane (126)
14. Mark Tele’a (78)
15. Corey Evans (27)

Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (73), 17. Jordan Lay (25), 18. Angus Ta’avao (80), 19. Josh Beehre (25), 20. Anton Segner (35), 21. Sam Nock (80), 22. Harry Plummer (87), 23. Cole Forbes (28)

Gibbes is saying that all the ABs are available for the Chiefs, although Norris wasn't mentioned. I doubt all will start or even be in the 23.

@Bovidae Who will be your hookers?

Taukei’aho to start with either Thompson or Pokai on the bench.

Be good to see Segner have a breakout season, seems to have all the physical tools.

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Be good to see Segner have a breakout season, seems to have all the physical tools.

I think he's been quite underwhelming in honesty. Works away yes, but not a great carrier, not great over the ball, and not a physical presence on the defensive side of things.

I'd love to be proven wrong about the guy and also would love to see him have a breakout season, but I almost feel like he's already reached his ceiling. He's almost played 40 games at this level.

@African-Monkey said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Be good to see Segner have a breakout season, seems to have all the physical tools.

I think he's been quite underwhelming in honesty. Works away yes, but not a great carrier, not great over the ball, and not a physical presence on the defensive side of things.

I'd love to be proven wrong about the guy and also would love to see him have a breakout season, but I almost feel like he's already reached his ceiling. He's almost played 40 games at this level.

Could do with being slightly more Samoan

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

@African-Monkey said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Be good to see Segner have a breakout season, seems to have all the physical tools.

I think he's been quite underwhelming in honesty. Works away yes, but not a great carrier, not great over the ball, and not a physical presence on the defensive side of things.

I'd love to be proven wrong about the guy and also would love to see him have a breakout season, but I almost feel like he's already reached his ceiling. He's almost played 40 games at this level.

Could do with being slightly more Samoan

Get some lessons from your husband Lalomilo Lalomilo on carrying with the ball.

@African-Monkey my husband is very good with the ball.

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

@African-Monkey my husband is very good with the ball.

Maybe Segner could get a haircut like Lalomilo too, make him look more intimidating.

@Bones said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Be good to see Segner have a breakout season, seems to have all the physical tools.

Would be good. He was quite poor in the NPC along with the rest of the Auckland team.

@Bovidae think the chiefs have few all blacks out including McKenzie and Wallace .

@george33 I certainly don't expect DMac to be playing in these early rounds, which is the main reason the Chiefs weren't going to let Jacomb go.

Sititi is further ahead than Parker, and has played in the pre-season, so I wouldn't be surprised if he starts at no.8. It will depend where Jacobson is playing (7 or 8).

@Bovidae Parker also out and Carter Narewa . doubtful starters.

Wallace hamstring apparently.

Lol I have two of those players in my Fantasy side, I see teams are named at 4pm today.

Barnes at 6 and Coles on the wing.

@george33 said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Barnes at 6

Like in the 2nd half of the preseason game at Onewa

I wonder if that means its a Lam/Evans midfield. That was the second half combo