Chiefs brace for barmy Durbs
3 Feb 2010
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from New Zealand.
Chiefs brace for barmy Durbs
Chiefs coach Ian Foster says his team needs to adapt to the humid conditions if they hope to beat the Sharks.
Foster’s charges will play the Hurricanes this Friday in Rotorua before departing for their South African tour on Sunday. The coach said Friday’s fixture will be a good opportunity for his players ahead of a testing time in the sweltering city of Durban.
‘Friday’s match will see us trying some new things as well as getting the players prepared for hot playing conditions – something we will be facing in South Africa next week,’ said Foster.
Chiefs – 15 Mike Delany, 14 Jason Hona, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki (c), 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Subs: Ben Afeaki, Nathan White, Toby Smith, , Hika Elliot, Romana Graham, Culum Retallick, Jarrad Hoeata, Luke Braid, Jack Lam, Junior Poluleuligaga, Callum Bruce, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney.
Woodcock to tackle Saders
Tony Woodcock will make his first appearance for the Blues when they face the Crusaders on Thursday.
Blues coach Pat Lam has named a strong team including an All Blacks front row in Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and John Afoa. Filo Paulo will fill in for Ali Williams at lock as the No 5 is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
Formers Hurricanes pair Alby Mathewson and Daniel Kirkpatrick will start at halfback.
Blues – 15 Paul Williams, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Peter Saili, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Rudi Wulf.
McCaw lauds law tweaks
While South African teams have struggled to adapt to the new breakdown law interpretations, Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw sounded optimistic about the changes.
With the law interpretations now favouring the attacking side more at the breakdown, McCaw believes this will make defending teams more disciplined and accurate in contesting for possession.
‘I think if the refs all do exactly what they say they are going to do, and do it for the whole competition. It will be good. It will reward players that are 100% accurate,’ McCaw told stuff.co.nz, adding that the opportunities for turnovers might even improve if the referees could remain consistent.
McCaw also believes that the law interpretations will not favour any of the New Zealand, Australian or South African sides more than the other as every team will be working hard to adapt.
‘You have seen over the last few years that rugby has gone in swings where if it’s defence-orientated. Everyone figures ways of getting around that and your attack takes over,’ said McCaw.
‘I think there will be a lot of emphasis on getting the breakdown right this year so that you can actually play and it will be interesting to see which team makes the best of it.’
257 Comments
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4 Feb 2010, 00:33 am
that’s a joke btw bp, before you write me an essay
4 Feb 2010, 00:40 am
@Big Hit:
if it werent for the genius at Keo that took away the number ref, I might have an iota of an idea what youre talking about. Or care.
@Big Hit:
BH, Im cracking jokes here all the time but just because I dont have a teachers stamp attached to it, doesnt mean Im serious either.
This way, some of the idiots here even take me at face value. And, trust me, this is MUCH more fun !
4 Feb 2010, 00:58 am
@Transformation: Fair enough. Personally I don’t feel any inclination to support any of the Kiwi or Aus teams but different strokes for different folks.
4 Feb 2010, 01:05 am
@grant10: He does need to get into shape though. Smit and Bismarck should be the Bok hookers. Yes Bissy is the best in country and one of the best in the world but who else is there that can share that role with him? Perhaps Strauss? But with Smit comes the great leadership as well. So get Smit in the shape, move him back to 2 sharing with Bismarck and BJ at 3 then Bob’s your tannie!
4 Feb 2010, 01:09 am
@justrugby: Have to agree with JR there. PdV and Plum need to catch a wake-up call and move Smit back to 2 to share with Bismarck. I mean what do we do if Bissy gets injured?
4 Feb 2010, 02:19 am
@Big Hit: @251
and here I was thinking that was a ref to a reply between us 2, and it was right before me on the previous thread. DOH !
We Kiwis are passionate about rugby, BH, thats all I can say.
Seriously, who IS the farken eejit at Keo that dropped the no’s off the replys ?!? I like to know WHY and WHERE Im bein dissed.
5 Feb 2010, 09:31 am
Not to split hairs, but I think, GarethD, you mean BALMY Durbs, as in moist, tropical, etc.
Unless you’re saying the Durbanites are all a little crazy, then barmy works just fine…
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