Paywalled but Marty Bourke not ruling McKenzie in or out of this game but indicates next week's game is more a shout.

To me the interest will be in the loose forward combination, and who starts on the wing.

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

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Paywalled but Marty Bourke not ruling McKenzie in or out of this game but indicates next week's game is more a shout.

Taking a rest against weaker opposition?

Wouldn't sensible thing be to have him on the bench

Ratima isn't injured.

Chiefs

Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Benet Kumeroa, Reuben O'Neill, Samipeni Finau, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi

Crusaders

Tamaiti Williams, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leicester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Louis Chapman, James White, Dallas McLeod

What is the story re Ollie Norris?

@Bovidae he missed game vs Landers to be their for the birth of his child I believe.

@ARHS said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

What is the story re Ollie Norris?

I expect he will be playing for the Dev team again. Norris had off-season surgery so maybe they are just being cautious with his return.

@Ghost678 Yes, listed as paternity leave again.

No Codie Taylor for the Crusaders is massive. They aren’t the same team without him at all

Taumoefolau walks into the Hurricanes and Blues backline (arguably the Crusaders too) - Chiefs looking like a bit of an odd move.

@frugby said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Taumoefolau walks into the Hurricanes and Blues backline (arguably the Crusaders too) - Chiefs looking like a bit of an odd move.

Don't think he's had a particularly great start to the season. Couple of nice moments on attack but they've been undone sometimes by trying to do too much himself. Defence has been poor.

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@frugby said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Taumoefolau walks into the Hurricanes and Blues backline (arguably the Crusaders too) - Chiefs looking like a bit of an odd move.

Don't think he's had a particularly great start to the season. Couple of nice moments on attack but they've been undone sometimes by trying to do too much himself. Defence has been poor.

Yes fair, but more my point is, the level he needs to be at to crack this Chiefs team is super high - and at this stage of his career, if he wants to be an All Black, guaranteed game time is what he really needs.

I think there will be rotation of the back three and Taumoefolau will also play at fullback during the season.

@Bovidae I’m sure - but I feel like to make the ABs (which presumably was his main driver for the move)

Your performances when the lights are on in big games really matter, and as an outside back it is tough to make an impact unless starting.

@Bovidae

I think he was signed on the basis that we were going to (and will) lose ENS. This season I expect to be ENS' last in NZ.

@gt12 Yes, I should have mentioned that regarding playing fullback.

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Bovidae

I think he was signed on the basis that we were going to (and will) lose ENS. This season I expect to be ENS' last in NZ.

I'd say with his defensive reads heh has a good few years on the wing before moving to the back

@Canes4life I agree he hasn't fired a shot (yet), but first two games for the team - and it's not like the Chiefs backs in total have fired many yet either.
I don't really rate Naholo as a winger, though he has been effective for you guys - I'd probably pick Sullivan ahead of him to be honest given the midfield riches. Fineanganofo I like, shame he's leaving.

Every thread becomes a Canes chat I swear

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Every thread becomes a Canes chat I swear

Riley Higgins?

@African-Monkey never heard of her next question

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Bovidae

I think he was signed on the basis that we were going to (and will) lose ENS. This season I expect to be ENS' last in NZ.

I expect ENS will have a breakout super star season this year before he's allowed to disappear gently into the night.

I hope ENS waits till the South African tour squad is named before he decides to leave. A larger squad so he must be in with a chance.

@mikedogz said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

I hope ENS waits till the South African tour squad is named before he decides to leave. A larger squad so he must be in with a chance.

How many players? 50+?

I've read on here 40.

@Bovidae Curious then that LCF has been named at fullback for the development team with Taumoefolau on the wing.

@Mr-Fish My point is that out of the top four options in the outside backs, Taumoefolau is a better chance to play fullback than either Carter or Narawa. Yes, LCF can play there, as can Hutchinson (when fit), but they would be considered more backups than regular starters when everyone is available.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Mr-Fish My point is that out of the top four options in the outside backs, Taumoefolau is a better chance to play fullback than either Carter or Narawa. Yes, LCF can play there, as can Hutchinson (when fit), but they would be considered more backups than regular starters when everyone is available.

Why? Narawa is a good fullback.

Cortez is in his game shorts and boots, could be a late change. So is Dmac though but dunno, they seem to be warming up.

If Crusaders had white shorts and Chiefs had black shorts this jersey clash wouldnt nearly be as bad.

Excellent patience Chiefs.

Holy shit what a try!

All we need to do is do this in grand finals, holy fuck

Chiefs are making a habit of these end to end tries... nice interplay

Havili doing his best to MOTM for the chiefs

Nothing beats a sunny evening game at the Tron. Looks like fun.

Josh Lord in some form atm

Lord has better skills than most nz backs