ozbash
Referee
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saw highlights of this game v the canes tonight. 27-26 to the mighty chiefs but if that was a taste of whats to come,,, bring it on.
pinched from www.xtra.co.nz
The Chiefs have been handed a massive boost ahead of the Super 14 kickoff in just over a week, with inspirational skipper Jono Gibbes poised to make an earlier than expected return to action.
As reported by XtraMSN Rugby earlier, Gibbes will make a belated start to the new Rebel Sport Super 14 season as he recovers from stress fractures in the foot he had surgery on in the off-season.
Coach Ian Foster said then he had been resigned to being without the All Black for the season start, but had been hopeful he might be able to return early in the campaign.
And it appears that optimism has not been unfounded with latest news out of the Chiefs camp suggesting Gibbes' re-entry may not be as belated as initially feared. It looks certain the second-rower will join the squad on the trip to South Africa.
The Chiefs open their Super 14 campaign against the Sharks in Durban next weekend, then meet the Cats in Johannesburg and the Western Force in Perth en route back to New Zealand.
And with such a testing start on the road, Foster was clearly keen to get as many of his front-liners on deck as possible. Gibbes, who covers lock and blindside and is the side's spirtitual leader, definitely fits into that category.
Gibbes trained with the Chiefs ahead of Thursday's hitout against the Hurricanes in Rotorua and Foster has reported his captain-elect is being targeted for a return in the second round in Jo'burg.
"We don't think Jono will be available for game No 1, so we're targeting game No 2," Foster told the Waikato Times.
"Whether that's a start or off the bench will depend on our mix as well as injuries in our next two games."
Gibbes has played almost no rugby since leading the New Zealand Maori to their famous victory over the British and Irish Lions last July, as he continued to be dogged by a plantar fascia injury. Eventually he decided to have surgery on the problem foot.
The rugged forward appeared to be on his way back to full fitness before the stress fractures developed to ruin his Super 14 buildup.
But now all indications are he has finally shaken off his problems which will be a huge boost for a Chiefs side with their sights on a return to the semifinals.
Fot all that, Foster will not be taking any chances with one of his most valuable commmodoties this early in the season.
"We're not risking anything taking Jono and we've got a lot to gain with his experience, his captaincy and the potential for him to play game No 2," he told the paper.
"We've weighed up all the options and think it's the best option for the squad."
Utility back David Hill, out till mid-competiton with viral fatigue syndrome, and prop Nathan White (calf injury) are the two squad members not travelling to South Africa.
New signing Mils Muliaina made his first appearance at fullback for the Chiefs in the hitout against the Canes.
Chiefs 27 v Hurricanes 26
02-02-06
First Half
Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sione Lauaki
Conversions: Stephen Donald (2)
Penalty: Stephen Donald
Halftime score: 17 - 14 Chiefs
Second Half
Tries: Kristian Ormsby
Conversion: Loki Crichton
Penalty: Loki Crichton
Fulltime score: 27 - 26 Chiefs
pinched from www.xtra.co.nz
The Chiefs have been handed a massive boost ahead of the Super 14 kickoff in just over a week, with inspirational skipper Jono Gibbes poised to make an earlier than expected return to action.
As reported by XtraMSN Rugby earlier, Gibbes will make a belated start to the new Rebel Sport Super 14 season as he recovers from stress fractures in the foot he had surgery on in the off-season.
Coach Ian Foster said then he had been resigned to being without the All Black for the season start, but had been hopeful he might be able to return early in the campaign.
And it appears that optimism has not been unfounded with latest news out of the Chiefs camp suggesting Gibbes' re-entry may not be as belated as initially feared. It looks certain the second-rower will join the squad on the trip to South Africa.
The Chiefs open their Super 14 campaign against the Sharks in Durban next weekend, then meet the Cats in Johannesburg and the Western Force in Perth en route back to New Zealand.
And with such a testing start on the road, Foster was clearly keen to get as many of his front-liners on deck as possible. Gibbes, who covers lock and blindside and is the side's spirtitual leader, definitely fits into that category.
Gibbes trained with the Chiefs ahead of Thursday's hitout against the Hurricanes in Rotorua and Foster has reported his captain-elect is being targeted for a return in the second round in Jo'burg.
"We don't think Jono will be available for game No 1, so we're targeting game No 2," Foster told the Waikato Times.
"Whether that's a start or off the bench will depend on our mix as well as injuries in our next two games."
Gibbes has played almost no rugby since leading the New Zealand Maori to their famous victory over the British and Irish Lions last July, as he continued to be dogged by a plantar fascia injury. Eventually he decided to have surgery on the problem foot.
The rugged forward appeared to be on his way back to full fitness before the stress fractures developed to ruin his Super 14 buildup.
But now all indications are he has finally shaken off his problems which will be a huge boost for a Chiefs side with their sights on a return to the semifinals.
Fot all that, Foster will not be taking any chances with one of his most valuable commmodoties this early in the season.
"We're not risking anything taking Jono and we've got a lot to gain with his experience, his captaincy and the potential for him to play game No 2," he told the paper.
"We've weighed up all the options and think it's the best option for the squad."
Utility back David Hill, out till mid-competiton with viral fatigue syndrome, and prop Nathan White (calf injury) are the two squad members not travelling to South Africa.
New signing Mils Muliaina made his first appearance at fullback for the Chiefs in the hitout against the Canes.
Chiefs 27 v Hurricanes 26
02-02-06
First Half
Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sione Lauaki
Conversions: Stephen Donald (2)
Penalty: Stephen Donald
Halftime score: 17 - 14 Chiefs
Second Half
Tries: Kristian Ormsby
Conversion: Loki Crichton
Penalty: Loki Crichton
Fulltime score: 27 - 26 Chiefs
