Chiefs v Blues - Trial

[ozbash]

For the second year running Jono Gibbes is unlikely to play at all in the Chiefs' Super 14 pre-season campaign, but the influential captain is expected to be fit for next Saturday's first match against the Brumbies.
Gibbes came down with a virus last Monday and was not considered for Thursday's win against the Hurricanes. He isn't expected to play in the final pre-season hit-out against the Blues tomorrow night in Rotorua.
Last season he missed the Chiefs' build-up because of a tissue tear in his foot and did not play until round two against the Cats in Johannesburg.
He has lightly trained twice this week but Chiefs coach Ian Foster does not see any point in asking too much from Gibbes with the Super 14 season opener just over a week away.
"We have no idea what the virus is but he's just come off training and the signs are pretty positive," Foster said.
"I still don't think we'll strip him for Thursday . . . we're not going to risk him if he's not 100 per cent.
"We've done all sorts of tests and they're positive but you have to let the illness run its course."
With Gibbes out, starting hooker Tom Willis will lead the Chiefs tomorrow night at International Stadium.
Keith Robinson, who returned to the team on Monday after an All Blacks-enforced lay-off, did train yesterday in Rotorua but, due to a slight calf strain, has not been named to play tomorrow night.
Therefore, Kristian Ormsby gets his second start in a week and, with fellow lock Toby Lynn back from an ankle strain, Foster has been gifted an opportunity to view a new locking combination.
Last year's standout midfield back Richard Kahui is out with a shoulder injury sustained in a tackle in the 31-14 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
"He's not training. Just receiving treatment for it at the moment," Foster said. "It's not nearly as serious as we thought but his shoulder is sore. There is no tear but there is heavy muscle bruising."
On a brighter note, prop Craig West has bounced back from the leg/ankle injury that had him in a moon boot last week and is said to be "jumping out of his skin" to get gametime.
Foster said West and Anthony Tahana, also back after a hamstring injury, should get about 20 minutes' play against the Blues.
Ex-Hurricanes second-five eighths Tane Tu'ipulotu, who had an excellent game against his former side last week, gets another shot with Stephen Donald getting a start in the No 10 jersey. The match kicks off at 7pm tomorrow.


Rookie Chiefs prop Craig West and winger Anthony Tahana are named in the Chiefs mix to take on the Blues in the final preseason match at Rotorua on Thursday night.
Both players have recovered well from their respective injuries, West (lower leg) and Tahana (hamstring), to be named in the Chiefs reserves this week.
On Thursday night Chiefs coach Ian Foster is able to start rookie Chiefs lock Toby Lynn alongside Kristian Ormsby. Lynn was unavailable last week due to an ankle strain. However, the Chiefs are still without the services of their two experienced locks Jono Gibbes (viral illness) and Keith Robinson (calf strain) for this week's preseason.
In the backs Foster has opted to start Stephen Donald at first five-eighth, alongside draft Chief Tane Tu'ipulotu (second five-eighth) and Niva Ta'auso at centre. Midfielder Richard Kahui injured his right shoulder during last week's Chiefs v Hurricanes preseason and was unavailable for selection this week.
The Chiefs team to play the Blues at Rotorua International Stadium on Thursday 25 January at 7.00pm is:
1. Simms Davison
2. Tom Willis
3. Nathan White
4. Kristian Ormsby
5. Toby Lynn
6. Liam Messam
7. Marty Holah
8. Sione Lauaki
9. Jamie Nutbrown
10. Stephen Donald
11. Roy Kinikinilau
12. Tane Tu'ipulotu
13. Niva Ta'auso
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves: Craig West, Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Andrew van der Heijden (CWTG), Tanerau Latimer, Steven Bates, Brendon Leonard, Murray Williams, Tasesa Lavea, Anthony Tahana, Dwayne Sweeney. CWTG = Chiefs Wider Training Group

Tickets are on sale now through the normal outlets, with gate sales on the night. Gates open at 6.00pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, and children are free.
Note: The public can meet the Chiefs at Rebel Sport, Rotorua tonight between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. The latest Chiefs poster is available on the night.
Tomorrow (Wednesday 24 January) the public are welcome to watch the Chiefs train at Rotorua International Stadium between11.00am and noon.
Next week the Chiefs takes on the Brumbies in the opening round of the Rebel Sport Super 14. This match will be held on Saturday 3 February at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Kick off is 7.35pm.
Tickets for this match, and all other Chiefs homes games are now available from the usual outlets.

 

[Sanchez]

thats one sh*ty line up right there my friend:lol:

 

[ozbash]

thats one sh*ty line up right there my friend:lol:

yes, i guess it was...

First Half
The Chiefs began the first half strongly enjoying a fair share of posession. After several big tackles from the Blues midfield, the Chiefs were rewarded with a try in the 12th minute to fullback Sosene Anesi. Roy Kinikinilau brushed off his opposite down the left wing before off-loading to Anesi who put in a smart chip kick and regather to score. Stephen Donald was successful with the conversion.
Five minutes later the Chiefs scored again after another Kinikinilau bust. Sione Laukai was the man to finish this time taking the home side to an early 14 - 0 lead after another Donald conversion.
The Blues responded half way through the first half with a converted try to loose forward Angus MacDonald.

Half time score: Chiefs 14 - 7 Blues

First Half
The Blues were quick off the mark in the second half with a try to Justin Collins straight after the break, converted by Nacewa.
Steven Bates was later sin-binned before Stephen Donald was successful with a penalty goal from out in front. Doug Howlett then scored a well worked try in the right wing corner bringing the scores to 17 - 21 in favour of the Blues.
Jono Gibbes unexpectedly entered the field with 20mins to go after not being named in the initial squad due to an unknown virus.
The Chiefs were awarded a number of late penalties as they worked their way out of their own 22m line. After a number of successful lineouts and a powerful drive near the line, replacement halfback Brendon Leonard crossed for the match winning try deep into injury time. Dwayne Sweeney converted to give the Chiefs a 24 - 21 victory.

Full time: Chiefs 24 - 21


Scorers:
1st Half:
CHIEFS: Sosene Anesi, Roy Kinikinilau tries, Stephen Donald 2 cons.
BLUES: Angus McDonald try, Isa Nacewa con.

2nd Half:
CHIEFS: Stephen Donald pen, Brendon Leonard try, Dwayne Sweeney con.
BLUES: Justin Collins, Doug Howlett try, Isa Nacewa 2 cons.

arse will NEVER beat class ;-)

 

[Twizzle]

Tahs did OK too



Beale seals unlikely win


January 25, 2007

NEW South Wales wonderkid Kurtley Beale was at it again, setting up the winning try as his Waratahs side downed defending Super 14 champion the Crusaders at Aussie Stadium.

With two minutes left on the clock and NSW finding it almost impossible to get out of its own half, Beale dummied and split the defence 60m out before drawing the Crusaders' last defender and sending replacement halfback Josh Holmes over for the clincher.

The 18 year-old then converted the try to give the Waratahs a scrappy Rotomahana Challenge win.

Beale's qualities – also on display in his first match against the Brumbies last weekend – did not escape the attention of Crusaders' supercoach Robbie Deans.

"We'd heard a lot (about Beale), you can see why, he's an excitement machine, things happen when he's involved," Deans said.

"He's obviously a huge talent and he's got a presence about him so it looks like he'll cope at the level.

"I'd say Ewen would be pretty excited about what he offered them tonight."

Thrown into the fray in the second half with the Waratahs up 10-5, it didn't all go Beale's way, though, when he let a try in, brushed aside by Crusaders replacement halfback Andrew Ellis' fend to allow the visitors to a 12-10 lead on the back of the huge territorial advantage.

"He created something at the end there, he obviously got a little bit of a lesson at the edge of the ruck there as well so it was a mixed bag," Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said.

"But I think that's life for an 18-year-old kid stepping up against one of the most consistent and best sides in the competition.

"That's what he's all about, he's trying to actually make his way as a footballer and I think that was the reality of where he's up to, there was some brilliance there and a couple of things he needs to keep working on."

Big names Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu, Morgan Turinui, Sam Norton-Knight and Peter Hewat were all on show – although they were replaced for the error-ridden second stanza – against a Crusaders outfit minus its resting All Blacks stars.

McKenzie used Josh Valentine at No.9 for the first half, with fellow Wallabies tourist Brett Sheehan taking over in the second and young gun Holmes getting a run in the last 10 minutes.

The new four-step scrum rule posed plenty of problems for both packs – and the referee – as set piece after set piece had to be reset.



AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21120187-5002381,00.html

 

[bayrep]

what was the final score Twiz.

I wonder if Beale is going to be one of those players you love to hate becuase he is so darn good!

 

[Twizzle]

17-14 or something like that, not much in it

I only caught the highlights but from what I saw of him, he looks good in attck

need to see him play a full 80 minutes and see what his overall game is like, including his defence and how he reads the game

 

[ozbash]

I,m picking a slow start for the crusaders.

 

[Twizzle]

yeah, Tahs probably just blew away all their confidence

 

[Sanchez]

dam those chiefs
lol
practice games count for nothing oz wait till the class of the blues beats the arse of the chiefs when the real deal comes along