Chiefs
1. Sona Taumalolo , 2. Mahonri Schwalger , 3. Ben Tameifuna , 4. Craig Clarke (c) , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Tanerau Latimer , 8. Kane Thompson , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Andrew Horrell , 14. Tim Nanai-Williams , 15. Robbie Robinson.
16. Hika Elliot , 17. Ben Afeaki , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Sam Cane , 20. Brendon Leonard , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Lelia Masaga
the most impressive thing about the chiefs this year is their depth, ben afeaki, hika elliot, sam cane, brendon lenoard, lelia masaga all have All Black exeperience, not bad for a bench and jackson willison has been pushed out due to the class of others, not cos of his form, very impressed with this chiefs team.
the chiefs baptism by fire starts now with all matches in the past now redundant and thers no bigger test then facing the crusaders who have been the finals benchmark team for eons.
The match up of the game will be Aaron Cruden vs Dan Carter. Is the student now better than the master?
I think the Crusaders forwards should win the game upfront. To much experience, and it is finals rugby.
Chiefs form has dipped slightly, and they have also been beaten at home recently by the Crusaders.
going by their last match,,,,NO, carter still the best 10 in the world, even showing cruden who is the spXV form flyhalf hes got plenty or tricks up his sleeve.
im picking the crusaders to win it upfront and im also picking the breakdowns to be a warzone that the UN will decalre a no go.
chiefs saw how the bulls were manhandled in the breakdwons, so they will now be prepping for it big time and the crusaders have always loved those tight rumbles, even if the results dont always go their way.
crusaders by 6.
