Any comment on all the talk about injuries for the Chiefs hindering their season at this point [MENTION=2357]Rego[/MENTION]? *ahem
It did hinder their season, everyone was talking them up as being hot shit, thought they'd be unbeatable etc. but they peaked way too early and haven't reached the form they were at, at the start of the season. Notably they were lucky in a couple of games they were really shit in and grabbed a win but that didn't last. Basically the 4 NZ teams going into the playoffs are par. The conference system will fuck 3 of them over but in a equitable comp those 4 teams would be semi finalists.
The June test break has been a tonic for the Chiefs you are overlooking that. also cane looked better at number 8 let him finish up there.
I think you'll find we have been hot shit and you were wrong. One thing I have noticed about you [MENTION=2357]Rego[/MENTION], you are very unwilling to admit when you're wrong. But you're young and still learning. There's still hope for you
Wrong? you even admitted I was right, I said how their form would slump. It was round 7 where that started to happen: Rd 7: Played poorly against a struggling Blues Rd 8: Played atrocious against the Canes Rd 9: Played terribly against the Sharks Rd 10: Outplayed by the Landers Rd 14: demolished by the Tahs You have to be kidding me if you think injuries didn't affect your form.....
It has but then again I just feel like the Chiefs are the type of team that beats the Saders, they've shown that twice. Can't look into the Reds game, the Reds are god damn awful. This Landers match is the biggy. But yes I agree, without the 4 week break I reckon the Chiefs would have been fucked, gave time to get some injured players fit too.
I never said you didn't? Like I said the Chiefs got really lucky in games they played shit in but they're not hot shit. Everyone (media) kept going on about the Chiefs, how they were going to win and I just kept saying man the Crusaders are really going unnoticed, the Chiefs started playing terribly and the media stopped shit storming about how the Chiefs would win and jumped on the Crusaders. I said the Chiefs would drop off and they did....had they lost some of those games they got lucky in they very well could be missing a play off spot.
That's a fairly good analysis mate. I'm just still a bit smug about you virtually writing is off early in the comp with all the injuries. We've coped better than most expect I reckon. The Saders do scare me though. None of the other NZ teams do. Not even giving any overseas side much hope. The Lions would have to play outta their skins go get close and all the Aussie sides are hopeless.
I never wrote the Chiefs off, I said they'd suffer later on and they did - poor performances. I still saw them sneaking into a lower play off spot - lower because of the shitty conference system. If they lose against the Landers that will happen. Chiefs have got very lucky this season for sure. I don't recall a team shitting so many games but still just winning. One thing I must admit I was wrong about is I completely forgot about the test break, that month definitely helped the Chiefs. I was thinking back to the world cup year where the final would have already taken place. In turn the Chiefs were able to get some men back. I don't see them winning it unless they top the table. The Chiefs just have some poor defence. I laugh at only being scared of the Saders. You've tamed them twice now, I reckon it's the Landers and Canes you need to be more weary of, especially the Landers. The Chiefs defence will cost them away from home in the play offs if they have to travel. Also one thing that shocked me was how well the Saders have gone - really thought they'd struggle a bit. I
[MENTION=2932]Hurricane[/MENTION] I had a sneaking suspicion the Canes had an injury I hadn't heard about when I saw them at $3.20 and yeah Proctor's out.....massive shame. Good to see they've got Laumape starting but just don't know him and Haloholo will be able to get the job done defensively, Proctor reads the game very well both offensively and defensively. Ah well a bit of "flair" in the centres nevertheless.
The over 47 tonight in the Blues v Tahs games could be a goer but what's the weather like? The Tahs know they need a win and have to try for that BP so will go for tries I reckon. The Blues have nothing but pride to play for so will also be looking to score tries imo. Blues to win imo, Brumbies to qualify you'd have to say even if the Tahs win. So that's why the Tahs will want that BP to give them more hope.
I really reckon once Ngatai is back a combo of him and Moala could be worth a try in the AB's - reckon that could be the goods tbh.
Money's on the Rebels in this one - they're underdogs betting wise and away but definitely think they'll get the job done against what has been a very poor Reds. Solid start for the Rebels with that try there.
Cheers Rebels, perfect betting night - a lot closer than it should have been but not complaining. Won quite a lot of money tonight. I can tell you one thing - no way am I putting anything big on tomorrow's matches, just gonna enjoy the games.
I actually reckon finishing 5th could be ideal - obviously wouldn't get a home quarter but the Brumbies (who will finish 4th) are the weakest team in the playoffs.
