Chiefs 2023

Where do the Chiefs go from here.

The weaknesses have been exposed (as have the strengths) so it shouldn't be hard to know where to target the recruitment.

We probably need a Chiefs 2023 thread so we can weed through the contract positions etc.

Is Ioane the answer for 10? Does he get another year? I don't think that the Gatland v Ioane 'battle' has helped at all. Ioane didn't get regular time and Gatland has surely reached his limit (which isn't good enough).
Maybe better strikepower in the outside backs can paper over the 10 problems a bit more but I think it would just equal bigger wins against lesser sides rather than wins against better sides. Still it would be nice to have a power winger and a fullback that could chime in.
The return of DMac will be very interesting. IMO Ioane can go overseas or to MP, DMac should be 10 and Gatland the backup however I don't really want Gatland coming on to close out games. DMac would have to play 80.
That doesn't solve the outside backs though. I can't think of anyone decent coming off contract elsewhere. Coombes-Fabling hasn't done enough in his opportunities down south. Wrampling is an option but a makeshift one as he is a midfielder.
If contracts allow and replacements can be found I would ditch all of our current lot. With my CM eyepatch on I would be watching Jared Page in ITM (if he is still around)

@Crucial Start up a Chiefs 2023 thread and we can discuss. In the short-term, I think that DMac has to be the 1st 5.

@Crucial said in Chiefs 2023:

We probably need a Chiefs 2023 thread so we can weed through the contract positions etc.

This post might as well start it.. I’ve split into a new thread

In the backs the Chiefs are probably looking for back three players, backup midfielders, and if they get DMac then they will consider a young ten?

At prop they have Mafileo's on-going injury struggles to consider, and whether Moli can get back to Super Rugby standard after his injuries. In the loose forwards they probably want a good ball carrying and tackling six or eight, and a better backup 7. There's a couple of six/eight options in the Blues area at the moment.

Reuben O'Neill had season-ending surgery so the Chiefs were down a prop before the season started. George Dyer has to be one of the 6 props from next year. He's the same age as Norris, so a good investment for the future. If Moli is off-contract I would wait until after the NPC to make a decision. If he can't play and perform, it's time to move on.

@Tim Simon Parker (a 6/8) has been in the squad for the last 2 years but a series of injuries has meant he hasn't played SR or NPC. There are some good young loose forwards coming through the Chiefs system like Nikora Broughton.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:

Nikora Broughton

What position(s) does he play? Seems to be one of the top young players at the moment.

Are the Sullivan brothers both contracted next season? Would love to see them both in the side together. I think Dmac should be 10 as Gatland and Ioane were dire this year. With QT and ALB and Nank I think they have the midfield. I think the 11,14 & 15 is the issue.

Also is Moorby signed to the Canes next year?

@chimoaus Think Zarn Sullivan is with Blues for next two seasons.

@Tim said in Chiefs 2023:

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:

Nikora Broughton

What position(s) does he play? Seems to be one of the top young players at the moment.

6/8. He was in the Chiefs U20s last year and the Barbarians in the Taupō tournament this year. Also played for BOP last year.

I just scrolled through the info I had from the Chiefs 2022 thread. Without knowing all recent contract negotiations, the players off-contract this year are:

Sione Mafileo
Xavier Roe
Josh Ioane
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Chase Tiatia

There is plenty of uncertainty regarding the length of contracts with other players with no media releases.

@Bovidae Four of those could sign with MP.

@chimoaus said in Chiefs 2023:

Are the Sullivan brothers both contracted next season? Would love to see them both in the side together. I think Dmac should be 10 as Gatland and Ioane were dire this year. With QT and ALB and Nank I think they have the midfield. I think the 11,14 & 15 is the issue.

Also is Moorby signed to the Canes next year?

Yup, Sullivan and Moorby will be Canes next year. Why would Sullivan move back to the Chiefs, that wouldn’t make any sense.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:

I just scrolled through the info I had from the Chiefs 2022 thread. Without knowing all recent contract negotiations, the players off-contract this year are:

Sione Mafileo
Xavier Roe
Josh Ioane
Etene Nanai-Seturo
Chase Tiatia

There is plenty of uncertainty regarding the length of contracts with other players with no media releases.

Assuming Dmac comes back, we don't need any of those 3 10/outside backs. ENS might be worth another contract, only as we may not be able to sign anyone better.

@gt12 I wonder if Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens might be tempted to move? Even though he is still young, he's nowhere near the Blues 23.

I would still like to see Stevenson given a chance at fullback. He plays there for NH.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2023:

@gt12 I wonder if Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens might be tempted to move? Even though he is still young, he's nowhere near the Blues 23.

I would still like to see Stevenson given a chance at fullback. He plays there for NH.

I'd love to get him. I assume part of his reason for the Blues is his partner plays up there, but he would be an obvious target.

Kini Naholo would likely have been a good option to have kept, and Fihaki would be a good option to try to sign.

Stevenson's boot is really underrated and we missed it once he was injured. He's rocks/diamonds but I'd keep him just because of his boot.

This is the WTG player I had hoped would be brought into the squad for ALB, not Inga Finau.

Taniela Filimone - no.13

@Canes4life bugger I was really holding out hope that the Chiefs could poach Moorby

@Bovidae Yeah he's like Emoni Narawa last year. He should push for a move.

@gt12 Fihaki would be a great signing

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2023:

@Canes4life bugger I was really holding out hope that the Chiefs could poach Moorby

Why would Moorby move though? He’s managed to cement his way into the starting side and was rookie of the year for the Canes. Would be silly to move.