Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has been able to name an unchanged match 22 for this week’s Super Rugby Final against the Sharks in Hamilton.
Initial injury concerns over captain Craig Clarke, who picked up a knock to the knee in last weekend’s semi-final win over the Crusaders, appear to have abated and Rennie has opted to make no unenforced changes to the unit that downed the seven-times champions in a tense, 20-17 victory.
For the Sharks, whose legs may feel a little tired in the second half, the presence of four All Blacks on a strong Chiefs bench will be a concern, with the likes of Hika Elliot, Sam Cane and Lelia Masaga certain to look to open things up in the final quarter.
Chiefs: 15. Robbie Robinson, 14. Tim Nanai-Williams ,13. Andrew Horrell ,12. Sonny Bill Williams , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 10. Aaron Cruden , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 8. Kane Thompson , 7. Tanerau Latimer , 6. Liam Messam , 5. Brodie Retallick , 4. Craig Clarke (capt) , 3. Ben Tameifuna ,2. Mahonri Schwalger ,1. Sona Taumalolo
Replacements : 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Ben Afeaki , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Sam Cane , 20. Brendon Leonard , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Lelia Masaga
Damn that was fast!
What time is kick off? (SA Time)
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : 9h35
@Franshark (Comment 3) : Not ideal for a huge party . . .
Damn there is some hard men in that team, squaring up to be a great match. But I have a sneaky suspicion the Chiefs think that they won their final last week against the Saders. I am cautiously optimistic for this game.
Come on people, Rob has done it, so can you!
Show your support!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.486608104702313.122634.251571854872607&type=1
As I recall Taumololo niggled McCaw all night last week and it seemed to work.
Should we not anticipate that they`ll use the same tactic against Bissie?
Haha yay! I only notice now that I finally have three stars
@KingRiaan (Comment 5) : “But I have a sneaky suspicion the Chiefs think that they won their final last week against the Saders.”
misguided suspicion: “Wayne Smith was liberal in his praise of the Sharks. ‘We’ve been watching them win eight of their last nine matches, they’ve had quite a number of sudden-death performances so they’re used to it, while we haven’t had to go down the same road.
‘So they will have forged a really good spirit and while they will be trying to battle that travel factor and have come a long way, you can win away from home and they’ve shown that,’ he said.
‘We’ve just got to go out expecting them to be at their best, just as we expected the Crusaders to be at their best. They’re physical and probably the most talented team on paper if you look at them among those other South African teams.
‘We weren’t at our best [the last time they met] and they weren’t at their best – this will be a different kettle of fish.’
@KingRiaan (Comment 8) : Congrats…Its a long road to 4 stars
@Megatron (Comment 9) : Too true, I think this is going to be the most physical and most brutal match of the tournament, won’t be surprised if some handbags get thrown around.
@Viking (Comment 10) :
@Viking (Comment 10) :
It’s a very long road from 4-5 stars and years from 5 stars to platinum
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : Haha as long as there is something to say about the Sharks, I’m sure I will reach it someday
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : Baby steps…You guys catch us with the first 2 stars that come quite easily, BUT THEN …
@Viking (Comment 15) : I had my second star in a month! Been a few months now and still no third!
@Megatron (Comment 9) : Aag that’s an old tactic by overseas teams, talking their South African opposition up.
Problem is, the Sharks ARE by a country mile the underdogs for Saturday and most non die-hard-Sharks supporters will have their money on the Chiefs.
So try again Wayne – you’ll have to do better than that to convince your boys that they are not the overwhelming favorites.
I bet they’ve put a ban on any reporting from sports scientists in their newspapers – should be a 20 point margin by now
Though, have to agree Mega, hoping the Chiefs had their best game last week is suicide – this is finals rugby
@Die Kriek (Comment 16) : Keep at it…Random posts like these goes a long way to getting the next star
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : well i wasn’t talking about who is blowing smoke up whose arse, just showing KR that the chiefs brainstrust don’t believe their final was last week:
“Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith said it is imperative that they rise to the level of performance which they displayed against the Crusaders last week.
‘We’ve got to, otherwise we’re not going to win it and not too many teams are able to back up two great performances in a row,’ said Smith.
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : I think platinum stars are reserved for people without real jobs, who can sit and blog all day…
@Megatron (Comment 19) : I agree with you there, can’t go into the game thinking the Chiefs already played their best game last week – probably more wishful thinking than anything else.
My nerves are finished. Don’t know what to do for the next 48 hours. Surely not work.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : Had a look at the community stats on Superbru. Suprisingly enough with over 40 000 picks ats still 50/50
Seems like theres a lot of people that fancy the sharks chances…
@Bite me (Comment 22) : Unfortunately some of us have to, otherwise you may have to fake insanity (no faking will be needed on my part, just less hiding it)
@Viking (Comment 23) : Or just hopeful fans who will never bet against their team. *raises hand
@Die Kriek (Comment 24) : Insanity… So that explains the irrational statements you were flinging about with gay abandon yesterday…
@Culling Song (Comment 26) : It may be, would that be an acceptable defence?
@Die Kriek (Comment 27) : Hey with the Non Compus Mentus plea you can get out of most predicaments
what is amazing is how everyone is looking at the sharks and missing how the chiefs are. They are similar as us, if you put them under immense pressure they tilt, push their tight five back, pressure scrummie & cruden and they wont have the most fun of times. When we just lost earlier this year we were doing that, we know how to beat them.
@Original Pierre (Comment 28) : Lawyer? Or previously insane?
Die Saaks is gevaaaalik. Like Ashwin would say it.
@Dunx (Comment 29) : you were dong that and still lost, doesn’t say much does it?
@Megatron (Comment 32) : We´re hardly the same side form-wise from the one that closely lost to them earlier in the season. I´m not sure what happened, but this Sharks team has turned 180 since then.
Having said that, the Chiefs have also improved a lot and love playing off front-foot ball. If we don´t dominate them up front and starve them of possession, we´re screwed, but I do have a sneaky feeling we´re going to pull it off.
@Quintin (Comment 31) : Whahaha, daai verkleurmannetjie ook nou ‘n kamma kamma Saaaak
Four AB’s on the bench…thats hectic, lets hope Masaga dont get more than 5 minutes
Good luck to the Saaaaaaks
@Die Kriek (Comment 16) : Sal self nie omgee vir ‘n ou 3de sterretjie nie…wat is die vereiste vir graduation na die 3de ene
Sharks team for the final….
15 Ludik
14 Jordaan
13 JPP (he and Jordaan to swop around when needed)
12 Lambie
11 Mvovo
10 Fred
09 Mcleod
08 Kanko
07 Marcel
06 Daniel (Capt)
05 Bresler
04 Alberts
03 Jannie
02 Bismark
01 Beast
16 Burden
17 Herbst
18 Sykes
19 Deysel
20 Botes/Odwa
21 Bosman
22 Viljoen
@Die Kriek (Comment 27) : Let’s see, you accused me of fraternising with Aussies… so no, not acceptable. If a district surgeon declared you certifiably insane, and suffering from rabies, paranoid delusions and withdrawals from a crippling drug dependency, then maybe…
@sharks_lover (Comment 37) : Good team…I like Jordaan on the wing and hin and JPP swopping at times. Will bring a different perspective to the game for the Chiefs to strugle with
@Culling Song (Comment 38) : Thanks for clearing that up. 25 years under the rock it is then
@sharks_lover (Comment 37) : Hold on. According to the sharks website, Jordaan is at inside and Lambie at fullback! Ludik remains on the wing…
@Viking (Comment 39) : Jordaan is at 12, Ludik stays on the wing, Pat gets the 15
@sharks_lover (Comment 37) : Expected
Jordaan will have to put in a massive performance to keep SBW in check. I do however believe he can do it. He is young and mitivated and will not let anything stand in his way of achieving the result on saturday…
I hope Bizzie can crown his 100th with a bit of silverware. Well done bissie on an outstanding 100 games!!!!
http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/news/general/120802/Lambie_Jordaan_To_Start
good luck to the boys