A puff piece on Jacobson talking about the motivation of final last year
Chiefs
Match thread
Crusaders
So many defections and injuries for the from last years final
Will Jordan, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitch Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Sione Havili Talitui, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (capt), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Reserves: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O’Neill, Quinten Strange, Dom Gardiner, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki
I think I got that right?
Non playing sabbatical for most off the SR season.
@Duluth said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
So many defections and injuries for the from last years final
Will Jordan, Dallas McLeod,Braydon Ennor,Jack Goodhue,Leicester Fainga’anuku,Richie Mo’unga, Mitch Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie,Sione Havili Talitui,Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (capt),Oli Jager,Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Reserves: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin,Reuben O’Neill, Quinten Strange, Dom Gardiner, Willi Heinz,Fergus Burke, Chay FihakiI think I got that right?
Chiefs by 20+
Not sure if they did this last year but the super.rugby site has a 'Facts' section for each match with some stats
- https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2024&match=939501
The Chiefs have won four of their last five regular season matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Crusaders (L1), including each of their last two; the last and only time they recorded a longer winning run in such fixtures was a four-match span from February 2015 to July 2016.
The Chiefs will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats in Super Rugby for the first time since May 2021, following their 20-25 loss against the Crusaders last time out in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific Final.
I think that the Chiefs team named tomorrow will largely be predictable. Injuries to some obvious starters will mean it won't be the strongest team available, and I am curious to see who plays on the right wing. I hope they don't move Stevenson there and play Ioane at fullback. I'd be tempted to play Rona.
Halfback will be a 50/50 but on form you'd have to select Ratima ahead of Roe. I wouldn't be surprised if MSR and Vaa'i are the locks. Ah Kuoi could even be the 6 if Finau isn't fit. McMillan did say they would reward pre-season form so Sititi could earn himself a spot on the bench.
Whoever is selected, the Chiefs will have to have a huge improvement on their pre-season performances.
You'd think it'll be Peniasi Malimali and ENS on the wings (despite both their defensive issues), though they're generally both specialist left wingers. ENS has spent plenty of time at fullback for Counties though so maybe he'll be shifted over.
Assuming that the Chiefs midfield combo will be Tupaea and ALB, there was an interesting stat about their partnership in an article by Aaron Goile. They have started together in just 9 of the Chiefs' last 61 games, and none of the last 27 games (from Tupaea's debut in 2020). Obviously both have had serious long-term injuries in recent seasons but that surprised me.
@Canes4life must be a fact then
@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@Yeetyaah @george33 just posted that all teams are being announced at 4pm.
A coordinated press release with coaches interviews etc .
@Canes4life yeah it's a good thing , but in saying that like the league could b changes on match day
The Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Crusaders:
- Aidan Ross
- Bradley Slater
- Reuben O’Neill
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Kaylum Boshier
- Luke Jacobson (Captain)
- Xavier Roe
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Quinn Tupaea
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Liam Coombes-Fabling
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Simon Parker
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Josh Ioane
23. Daniel Rona