Super 14 Preview - Chiefs
One of the disappointments for me last year (and costing me money to boot) – a reasonable squad and a kind draw should have seen them in the semis; however in the final analysis failure to win either of their 2 games in South Africa (to the Sharks and – ahem – the Cats) at the beginning cost them dearly and they missed by 2 points.
So do I risk my hard-earned on them again this year? After all, a similar squad, a similar price (as are all the teams). Looking through their roster, they aren’t harmed by three backs on the AB conditioning thing, and of the nine squad members lost from last year only Sam Tuitupou commanded a regular starting spot.
I have one major question about the Chiefs – their inside backs. It looks like they’ll be starting Donald at 10 and Lavea at 12, and neither had exactly memorable Super 14 seasons last year. To me it was no co-incidence the best performances from the Chiefs last season were at the end when they finally got David Hill back in the 10 jersey. Another slight concern is the back-up behind the first-choice tight 5.
On the plus side, the loose forward coverage would have the Canes spewing with envy and the outside backs will be dangerous – even more so when Sivivatu and Muliaina return. They also seem to have no major injury worries starting out. So they will get ball, have finishers out wide – it all comes down to the men in-between.
They had a kind draw last year. So it figures it’s not so good this year – tricky home games against the Brumbies and Hurricanes first-up, followed by the harder SAF trip of the Stormers, Bulls and Cheetahs. While the middle of the season should produce plenty of wins, they will not want to enter their last 2 games visiting Sydney and Christchurch needing a win to qualify for the final 4.
At 12/1 they are worth considering. But I wouldn’t take much lower.
Prediction: maybe being a tad optimistic; 9-4 and probable semifinalists. But I don’t think they’ll go all the way in May.
Player to watch: Keith Robinson – even if fully fit I wouldn’t expect him to start in every game. How they manage his workload and if he stays injury-free is something to keep a close eye on.
So do I risk my hard-earned on them again this year? After all, a similar squad, a similar price (as are all the teams). Looking through their roster, they aren’t harmed by three backs on the AB conditioning thing, and of the nine squad members lost from last year only Sam Tuitupou commanded a regular starting spot.
I have one major question about the Chiefs – their inside backs. It looks like they’ll be starting Donald at 10 and Lavea at 12, and neither had exactly memorable Super 14 seasons last year. To me it was no co-incidence the best performances from the Chiefs last season were at the end when they finally got David Hill back in the 10 jersey. Another slight concern is the back-up behind the first-choice tight 5.
On the plus side, the loose forward coverage would have the Canes spewing with envy and the outside backs will be dangerous – even more so when Sivivatu and Muliaina return. They also seem to have no major injury worries starting out. So they will get ball, have finishers out wide – it all comes down to the men in-between.
They had a kind draw last year. So it figures it’s not so good this year – tricky home games against the Brumbies and Hurricanes first-up, followed by the harder SAF trip of the Stormers, Bulls and Cheetahs. While the middle of the season should produce plenty of wins, they will not want to enter their last 2 games visiting Sydney and Christchurch needing a win to qualify for the final 4.
At 12/1 they are worth considering. But I wouldn’t take much lower.
Prediction: maybe being a tad optimistic; 9-4 and probable semifinalists. But I don’t think they’ll go all the way in May.
Player to watch: Keith Robinson – even if fully fit I wouldn’t expect him to start in every game. How they manage his workload and if he stays injury-free is something to keep a close eye on.
Labels: 2007S14
posted by Rob Crawford at 11:45 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home