Chiefs 2022. A case of playing to their ceiling?
Did they underperform or simply reach their peak based on the players they had? Were fans over expecting given the limitations that were obvious from the start?
There is no doubt the the Chiefs assembled a formidable forward pack with depth this season and despite injuries to big name players along the way, more than held their own in the trenches and set pieces. The scrum was not only solid but, at times, dominated some big names. There was no excuse for the platform provided to the backs and no blame can go the way of the front rowers at all.
Depth at lock is seriously good and only the pending retirement of BBBR will keep others from being snapped up elsewhere. Even then maybe McWhannell's agent might be shopping around.
The loose forwards managed all sorts of shuffles well and all had their moments. They never really had a chance to settle on a first choice combination with different players either in form or not available at different times.
Disruptions and depth. In general this was handled well by the coaches and the 'Chiefs Mana' approach and culture served them well. That's what a season and a squad is all about so no excuses there.
Selections. While we aren't party to all niggles and training ground performances there have been a few head scratchers along the way. The reluctance to try Reihana at fullback even though he showed out in a very brief cameo from the bench was one. The preference of Roe as reserve halfback at the pointy end of the season despite the find of the season being Ratima, another. Most of the fan questions have been around the back three and I don't doubt that it was the same for the coaches.
If forwards were the strength of the side, backs were the weakness. Weber didn't have his best showing in the semi but overall for the season deserved his place as first choice halfback. Ratima took every opportunity that came his way and is a must keep and Roe, while not doing anything wrong, didn't do much. An 'achieved' pass mark for the smallest backs.
Midfield rates as a 'could have done better' on this report card. While things weren't helped by the loss of the experience and class of ALB both Tupaea and Nankivell had some very good performances marred by some poor ones (QT notably in the biggest game of the season). Maybe some blame could go on ALB not being there as an old head but personal responsibility is what we need.
The real problem areas are the playmaker and the outside backs.
At the key pivot position there were high hopes going in that Josh Ioane would regain form and bring some spark along with good decision making. However, when Gatland was given a chance he surprised everyone to start with by adding some running to his game and keeping defences honest. He put in some good showings and looked like he may be good enough to scrape us home. Ioane then tried too hard to come back and lost his spot at first receiver, becoming a DMac lite off the bench. However, Gatland seems to have poor patches during games that he can't overcome and once he hits that wall he reverts to being a shoveller and throws pressure on those outside him. He isn't the long term answer but won't be going anywhere while dad is around. No one can win this comp without a class 10 and the Chiefs need DMac back refreshed and wiser badly.
The back three were always the big question from squad selection. ENS has never kicked on and looks for the step instead of the line or gap way to much. Narawa had flashes but never screamed selection while the other options put in nothing more than the journeyman performances at their ceiling. As mentioned, there was a possibility of Reihana being a Perofeta like option that was never explored.
Stocks on the rise Ratima, Finau, Vai'i (still),
Stocks that plummeted Trask, ENS, Narawa, Reihana (for reasons unknown)
@Bovidae I'm such a massive fan of his, I've seen him around a few times at the supermarket and shit but I never say anything when I see players out as they're just humans. Mum's met him at games and says he's the loveliest guy out. Always a big fan of players personalities coming out rather than the standard "full credit to the boys" shit. Defs a future All Black.
@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:
@Bovidae I'm such a massive fan of his, I've seen him around a few times at the supermarket and shit but I never say anything when I see players out as they're just humans. Mum's met him at games and says he's the loveliest guy out. Always a big fan of players personalities coming out rather than the standard "full credit to the boys" shit. Defs a future All Black.
Awesome, agree, agree, and no way.
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2022:
@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:
@Bovidae I'm such a massive fan of his, I've seen him around a few times at the supermarket and shit but I never say anything when I see players out as they're just humans. Mum's met him at games and says he's the loveliest guy out. Always a big fan of players personalities coming out rather than the standard "full credit to the boys" shit. Defs a future All Black.
no way.
Why?
@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2022:
@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:
@Bovidae I'm such a massive fan of his, I've seen him around a few times at the supermarket and shit but I never say anything when I see players out as they're just humans. Mum's met him at games and says he's the loveliest guy out. Always a big fan of players personalities coming out rather than the standard "full credit to the boys" shit. Defs a future All Black.
no way.
Why?
He’s a bits and pieces player who is great at Super level but not good enough at either to make the next step in my opinion.
The lock/six spot is one where you have to be world class in one and really serviceable in the other.
So, he’d be well behind Vaa’i, Barrett, Robinson, and likely Grace right now, for me. The key one is Vaa’i who is basically the same thing but better, and already capped. He’s need an injury to Vaa’i to get the opportunity in my opinion, plus the selectors to ignore Robinson, and not use Barrett as a potential 6.
Too many dominos in my opinion.
The Chiefs, and All Blacks, can breathe a sigh of relief, with Sam Cane having been cleared of any major injury. There were fears the Chiefs co-captain and ABs skipper could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines after copping a blow to his right knee in his side’s 51-24 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Force in Hamilton on Saturday evening. However, Stuff understands the veteran openside flanker has avoided any big damage and instead been diagnosed with just a strain.
@Stargazer said in Chiefs 2022:
@Bovidae Tyrone Thompson will be playing for Napier Tech.
Yeah, I saw your post. I would have thought that a 3rd hooker and halfback would have been taken to Fiji.
@Crucial ENS had his best season as a Chief so far, to be honest - which shows just how disappointing he's been.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:
I would have chosen Taukei’aho as the POTY myself.
Voting concluded with 6 rounds to go maybe? Clearly I wasn't one of the fans in FPOTY vote.
@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs 2022:
McWhannell
Laghlan McWhannell? 1.98m 114kg? And at 23 years that is an ok starting size I would have thought..looks heavier than 114 I would have thought: https://www.chiefs.co.nz/player/laghlan-mcwhannell
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2022:
@Yeetyaah Narawa 15, Lowe 14.
Nankivell has to be at 11 or 12, he's such an influential player on attack, but also his work off the ball.
A linchpin on defense and a real creator & great physicality he brings to a backline that lacks size.
Tupaea best at 12 than 11.. so Nankivell at 11 it is. Seturo is defensively frail & on the small side.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders with Nankivell at 11, Tupaea at 12, who were both instrumental.
The way your post reads (or, how I read your post) it seems like Nankivell is a better 12 than Tupaea?!
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@Bovidae the Tevita Li signing announcement can't be too far away?
@FakatavaAllBlack Thought he was going to play for Japan, wouldn't signing with the Chiefs make him ineligible for the Cherryblossoms?
@ARHS Already announeced in June, unless they extend the one-year contract with more years.
McMillan and then Randle were sitting near me at the Waikato-Hawke's Bay game so I am assuming they are trying to watch the games involving the 4 Chiefs teams to look at particular players. Outside backs (to replace Lowe and Tiatia) and props (Mafileo and Ta'avao off-contract, questions over the fitness of Moli and O'Neill) would be the urgent positions to fill. And then how many 1st 5s are needed in the squad.
@Bovidae If you need a prop then Abraham pole who was injury cover this yr for Moana would be worth a look although he's a loosehead
I didn't see the full match but was that Mafileo with his back to the camera near the crowd at the end of the NH-Tasman game? If so, he had a major neck brace on. Not good for a prop who needs to scrum.
@FakatavaAllBlack Any new LH prop would only be the 3rd rated behind Ross and Norris. Too early for the younger LHs like Bartlett with minimal NPC experience. Cobb is only 23, and has been part of the WTG. He might be the next option.
@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2022:
Not good for a prop who needs to scrum.
Heeyyyyy.....waaaait a miiiinute....