Western Force v Chiefs Saturday 3 Juune 2023

[Tazzmania]

Chiefs have tweeted pictures of Sam Cane, Anton Lienert Brown, Cortez Ratima, Pita Gus Sowakula and Tupou Vaai in Perth. We may not be facing a very weakened team!!

[brokendown gunfighter]

maybe they treat it as a training run!

[Tazzmania]

Some of the Chiefs players in Perth:

[Tazzmania]

and some of the others:

[Burgs]

Poor fella in the middle got split personality too?

[The InnFORCEr]

June 01, 2023
MCMILLAN’S EXPECTATIONS STILL HIGH FOR TEAM NAMED TO FACE THE WESTERN FORCE
Clayton McMillan the chance to freshen some players and trial others for this weekend’s clash against the Western Force in Perth.

With DHL Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals kicking off at FMG Stadium Waikato next weekend, this round will see many Gallagher Chiefs players get some beneficial time on the park, especially those that have returned from injury.

It allows players to get valuable minutes in alternative positions for the first time this season. In particular, Naitoa Ah Kuoi slots into the loose forwards after an outstanding season so far at lock, sitting second on the table for average lineout steals (1.4 steals per 80 minutes). Rameka Poihipi also makes a shift from his midfield role to start in the number 10 jersey.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to playing the Western Force who have proven to be a difficult team to beat in Perth. They are well-coached, play with flair and passion, and in front of a home crowd will be a fierce challenge.

“Clearly, we have taken the opportunity this week to freshen up some frontline players, which is purely a strategic decision. We have played some incredibly physical games over the last few weeks, and this along with the travel to and from Perth and a short turn-around to the quarterfinal, resting them became a bit of a no-brainer.”

Named in the front row are Ollie Norris and John Ryan at prop, with Tyrone Thompson at hooker, while Laghlan McWhannell starts at lock again this week alongside Tupou Vaa'i who is back from All Blacks rest.

Simon Parker lines up with Ah Kuoi in the loose forwards, with Samipeni Finau moving to the No.8 jersey.

Named as halfbacks are two players with some of the highest passing accuracy in the competition. Starting is Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who will play his 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs this weekend, boasting a 98.6% passing accuracy to sit in fourth place on the table. One spot ahead, with a 99.2% passing accuracy, is Cortez Ratima who will provide impact off the bench.

In the midfield, Anton Lienert-Brown will captain the side from second-five with Alex Nankivell named at centre. Liam Coombes-Fabling will be on the wing with Etene Nanai-Seturo, and Shaun Stevenson at fullback.

In the reserves, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit and Atunaisa Moli will get invaluable minutes as support in the front row, while Manaaki Selby-Rickit will run on at lock, and Pita Gus Sowakula for the loose forwards.

Making his return from a long-term injury, first-five Rivez Reihana will look to log some essential minutes ahead of playoffs, as will Lalomilo Lalomilo in the midfield.

“Most of the players we are resting have helped us prepare in Perth and will head home in advance of the weekend’s game to spend time with family and recharge the batteries,” said McMillan.

“For those that have remained – our expectations as a collective and as individuals are clear. Points won’t change anything for us but pride in our performance will.”

The Gallagher Chiefs final match before the playoffs kicks off at 12:00am (midnight) NZT Sunday 4 June at HBF Park, Perth.

Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Western Force:
1. Ollie Norris (41)
2. Tyrone Thompson (12)
3. John Ryan (13)
4. Laghlan McWhannell (6)
5. Tupou Vaa'i (41)
6. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (45)
7. Simon Parker (7)
8. Samipeni Finau (28)
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (49)
10. Rameka Poihipi (26)
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo (40)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (102, Captain)
13. Alex Nankivell (67)
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling (9)
15. Shaun Stevenson (80)

Reserves
16. Bradley Slater (47)
17. Jared Proffit (3)
18. Atunaisa Moli (54)
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit (25)
20. Pita Gus Sowakula (65)
21. Cortez Ratima (22)
22. Rivez Reihana (8)
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo (1)

Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets.

Players not considered due to injury
Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier, Brad Weber.

Fixture Information
Western Force v Gallagher Chiefs
Sunday 4 June 2023
Kick off: 12.00am NZT
Live: Sky Sport / Stan Sport

https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/m...-western-force

[andrewg]

Good team from the Western Force.

[.X.]

resting Damian McKenzie, Webber, Taukeiaho, Retallic, Jacobson and, Narawa

[WFDom]

resting Damian McKenzie, Webber, Taukeiaho, Retallic, Jacobson and, Narawa

We're still in the shit!

Let us hope the Captain can be the required conduit between coach & team!

[boof1050]

Let us hope the Captain can be the required conduit between coach & team![/QUOTE]

My lips are sealed!!
Great to see Simpson back but risky seeing as its a game we have to win and he’s had a few weeks off!
I still would just like to see what Pugh has to offer, is he injured or shit in Crons cornflakes at some stage?
With Kibirige on the field the chiefs will be licking their lips. Turnstile time!

[Tazzmania]

I still would just like to see what Pugh has to offer, is he injured or shit in Crons cornflakes at some stage?

Who would you replace for him?

[WFDom]

Who would you replace for him?

Poolman!

[boof1050]

Who would you replace for him?

Not too sure maybe the skip! But being this late in the season might be a bridge too far. I do know that he killed it in the NPC last season but hasn’t been able to get a dash this year. Just wondering why? Can’t exactly say that Wells has set the world alight with his stats and would certainly hate to see another gem leave because they’re stuck and not given a shot.

[The InnFORCEr]

Force's finals hopes boosted as Chiefs rest All Blacks
Story by Justin Chadwick • 2h ago


The Western Force's finals hopes have been given a massive boost with the Chiefs deciding to rest a whopping 11 players from last week's starting line-up.

The Chiefs beat the Brumbies 31-21 to guarantee themselves top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific table.

With nothing but pride to gain from their final-round clash with the Force in Perth on Saturday night, the Chiefs have decided to rest their All Blacks stars.

Only four players who featured in the starting line-up against the Brumbies will again be in the XV - lock Laghlan McWhannell, playmaker Rameka Poihipi, and wingers Etene Nanai-Seturo and Alex Nankivell.

Missing from last week's XV are props Aidan Ross and George Dyer, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, lock Brodie Retallick, co-captain Sam Cane, No.8 Luke Jacobson, scrumhalf Brad Weber, playmaker Josh Ioane, winger Emoni Narawa and fullback Damian McKenzie.

None of those listed have even been named on the bench.

Pita Gus Sowakula, who started at lock last week, will start on the pine.

It means a total of nine All Blacks who featured in last week's starting side won't be in the XV in Perth.

"Clearly we have taken the opportunity this week to freshen up some frontline players, which is purely a strategic decision," Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said.

"We have played some incredibly physical games over the last few weeks, and this along with the travel to and from Perth and a short turn-around to the quarter-final, resting them became a bit of a no-brainer.

"Most of the players we are resting have helped us prepare in Perth and will head home in advance of the weekend's game to spend time with family and recharge the batteries.

"For those that have remained - our expectations as a collective and as individuals are clear. Points won't change anything for us but pride in our performance will."

The Force will unleash one of their strongest squads of the year, bolstered by the full return of Wallabies lock Izack Rodda.

Rodda returned from a foot injury via a 35-minute cameo off the bench in last week's 52-14 loss to the Melbourne Rebels.

That result dropped the Force to ninth, meaning they must defeat the Chiefs and rely on either the Highlanders or Reds to lose in order to sneak into the finals.

Rodda, who is one of the best locks in the country, will start with prop Santiago Medrano (sternum) and scrumhalf Gareth Simpson (quad) also key inclusions.

Force: Angus Wagner, Folau Fainga'a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Rahboni Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Max Burey, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia. Res: Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman, Toni Pulu

Chiefs: Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, John Ryan, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa'i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown (capt), Alex Nankivell, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson. Res: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Atunaisa Moli, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Rivez Reihana, Lalomilo Lalomilo.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/afl/...0080e2fc&ei=10

[GIGS20]

Rodda and Medrano big ins

Cronny has certainly thrown everything at this one!