Rugby: Chiefs face halfback crisis after Christie ban; NZ Herald

The Chiefs will be searching for halfbacks following the three-week ban handed down to Finlay Christie today.

Christie was found guilty of stamping or trampling on an opponent after he was cited during the Chiefs' narrow 16-7 win over the Force in Perth.

The 22-year-old, who replaced the concussed Tawera Kerr-Barlow during the match, will miss all forms of the game up to and including May 19, which rules him out of the Chiefs' matches against the Sunwolves, Reds and Crusaders. The Chiefs have a bye after the Reds game in New Plymouth before they play the Crusaders in Fiji on May 19.

Regular starter Brad Weber has already been ruled out for the season with a broken leg.

Sanzaar's foul play review committee found that the offence was at the "mid-range" level.

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks," a Sanzaar release said.

"The Committee viewed the Player's action as reckless and although as a result of that action the Player made contact with the forehead of the opponent, such contact was made with a comparative lack of force (the opponent thought that his head had been 'stood on') and resulted in a grazing of the skin and no laceration.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's youth and inexperience, his excellent disciplinary record, his contrition and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."

 Chiefs will have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to field a 9 if TKB doesn't recover from his concussion. 

 ...JW,..as you know, the Chiefs have amazing depth...good news on Ngatai coming back into the centres as well..
"Twenty-year-old Jonathan Taumateine would almost certainly be handed the No 9 jersey, having initially not been among the Chiefs' contracted players. The Counties Manukau halfback was added to the squad when Weber went down, enjoying brief stints off the bench in the opening two rounds.
As for a reserve, the Chiefs would have to reach into their development squad, a group currently touring Hong Kong. One option would be Logan Crowley, who played for Canterbury in last season's Mitre 10 Cup before signing with Taranaki, while Bay of Plenty's Luke Campbell would be the other.itially not been among the Chiefs' contracted players. The Counties Manukau halfback was added to the squad when Weber went down, enjoying brief stints off the bench in the opening two rounds."NZ Herald

...Two other recent All Blacks are also set to again don Chiefs colours in the next few weeks, with prop Nepo Laulala a chance to play next week, and hooker Nathan Harris shortly after.

Also eyeing an impending return off the casualty list are Tim Nanai-Williams, Mitch Brown and Michael Allardice, promising a deep squad capable of contention.
NZ Herald

 I read the same article Brycy, how many teams would be able to cope with what the Chiefs will have to deal with?
Of course don't tell the sabb about the ban reduction as although we may know it is all above board some may see it differently

 ...JW, looking real good the Mighty Chiefs despite halfback woes...we just got back from tour without a centre for instance and still managed to accrue nine points...tha'ts massive, and that's probably nine more points than the Stormers will be capable of achieving on their tour of NZ but don't tell them that..

 ...more good news we have back from Japan, former AB and Chiefs star winger Lelia Masaga aka "Flash" back on call if needed as backup for us...although McNicholl , Pulu or Stevenson are all playing well and would have to be injured before we needed Masaga...but who could forget all his doubles , trebles and try scoring celebrations...

 I would have thought the wee stormers would have packed it in after their defeat by the Saders but I guess they don't want to let down their fan

 ...JW in fairness the yarpy boat people have to do a lot of rowing to get to NZ...that might explain the chronic fatigue and the eight tries they let in on the weekend ...let's see how they go at tackling Naholo this week - he's a very slippery customer at the best of times...

 Christie was found guilty of stamping or trampling on an opponent after he was cited during the Chiefs' narrow 16-7 win over the Force in Perth.his contrition (BWAHAHAHAHAHA) and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."

A typical series of kiwi events. Foul play backed by reduced sentences. Yaaaaawn same old same old.
Brycy and JW time to admit kiwis suck big time!
Beeno getting the perspective right as always.

 ..Bean Brain, accidents happen...your parents will confirm this ..

Brycy you live in an upside down world.