Two notable returnees.

The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the Reds at 7.35pm this Saturday 6 May is:

1. Kane Hames (17)
2. Hika Elliot (113)
3. Nepo Laulala (6)
4. Dominic Bird (20)
5. Brodie Retallick (79)
6. Mitchell Brown (9)
7. Sam Cane (co-captain) (88)
8. Michael Leitch (29)
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (75)
10. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) (82)
11. James Lowe (45)
12. Charlie Ngatai (39)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (33)
14. Toni Pulu (19)
15. Damian McKenzie (42)

RESERVES:

16. Nathan Harris (23)
17. Atu Moli (19)
18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (19)
19. Taleni Seu (26)
20. Liam Messam (154)
21. Jonathan Taumateine (3)
22. Sam McNicol (15)
23. Shaun Stevenson (16)
    () = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets

Unavailable for selection: Brad Weber, Mitchell Graham, Glen Fisiiahi, Tim Nanai-Williams, Liam Polwart, James Tucker and Finlay Christie.

Good to see an almost top 23 after the shitshow last weekend.

Great to see Ngatai and Harris back too, though throwing Ngatai straight back into the starting lineup seems like a risk.

I'd like to say the Chiefs should walk this, but they were terrible last week.

Jesus and Ngatai goes straight in to the starting 15..
I have been disappointed in Cane's leadership and his general play since his return from injury. Compare and contrast his leadership style with that of Sam Whitelock's over the last while. Saders would walk through fire for Whitelock - the Chiefs? not so much for Cane methinks.
It wouldn't have done any harm to start Lachlan Bpshier who has been outstanding this season every time he's taken the field.

@Crash said in Chiefs v Reds:

Jesus and Ngatai goes straight in to the starting 15.
I have been disappointed in Cane's leadership and his general play since his return from injury. Compare and contrast his leadership style with that of Sam Whitelock's over the last while. Saders would walk through fire for Whitelock - the Chiefs? not so much for Cane methinks.
It wouldn't have done any harm to start Lachlan Bpshier who has been outstanding this season every time he's taken the field.

To be fair I'd start Jesus too.

Are you seriously suggesting dropping Cane and playing Boshier?

@booboo I'd suggest rejigging the back row. Boshier starts at 6 with Cane at 7 and Leitch at 8.

@Unco said in Chiefs v Reds:

Good to see an almost top 23 after the shitshow last weekend.

Great to see Ngatai and Harris back too, though throwing Ngatai straight back into the starting lineup seems like a risk.

He has played three games of footy for fitness I hear so he should be pretty good to go.

@Crash said in Chiefs v Reds:

@booboo I'd suggest rejigging the back row. Boshier starts at 6 with Cane at 7 and Leitch at 8.

Okey doke

@Unco said in Chiefs v Reds:

Great to see Ngatai and Harris back too, though throwing Ngatai straight back into the starting lineup seems like a risk.

Safer to start Ngatai and replace him if he runs out of gas. He has played 3 club games in quick succession, and in 3 different positions too.

This was the midfield that did so well last season.

good game to bring him back, a game Chiefs should win and win well, and he can be pulled at half time or 60mins....really good to have someone that has battled concussion come out the good end of the tunnel

@booboo said in Chiefs v Reds:

To be fair I'd start Jesus too.

Nobody bounces back from serious injury like Jesus. Couple of days and he's up, about, and right as rain

Cruds gooorne

Either DMac or Beaver to 10.

I'd go with Beaver. Has a history of performing in late call ups

At least it's an illness not an injury.

Beaver had to brave a graduation ceremony this week so how hard can a rugby match be?

Oh, so the selectors are having second thoughts at preferring Sopoaga over Cruden...

@Crash said in Chiefs v Reds:

@booboo I'd suggest rejigging the back row. Boshier starts at 6 with Cane at 7 and Leitch at 8.

Boshier is a bit thin for the blinside. He is excellent outwide in support of the backs but lacks physicality in the tight. I'd rather see 6. Cane and 7. Boshier.

I would go with DMac at 10. Bring in Stevenson, shift Pulu to 15 and Beaver to the bench.

DMac deserves a chance to run the game from 10.

Agree with @Crucial but I think Stevenson's preferred position is 15 isn't it? Could be a good chance to see what he can do there.

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Reds:

Agree with @Crucial but I think Stevenson's preferred position is 15 isn't it? Could be a good chance to see what he can do there.

Fair enough. I just like Pulu's 15 play from CM but I guess Rennie will know which of the two he wants where.

EDIT: I guess some of it will also be future planning. If DMac is to be the Chiefs 10 next year and Stevenson is earmarked as the 15 that will be how they go.

Also think Pulu makes a better winger than SS.

Well, that's a great start of the game (not).

Chiefs should be embarrassed letting the Reds score first!