Chiefs squad dissection

The Chiefs have lost their main enforcer and one of the biggest thugs in the game Brodie Retallick. Without him in the forwards it is going to be a tough task for the rest of the forward pack to achieve the dominance they did with the big lock but they still have the Canadian Captain Tyler Ardron. He is another lock who have been playing with Brody the last couple of seasons and would have learned allot from the big guy. They also finally picked up a flyhalf that will enable their best player Damian McKenzie to move back to his preferred position in the 15 jersey. The Flyhalf they signed is Aaron Cruden. If he brings the same form that got him in the All Blacks mix a few seasons ago he will enable the rest of the backline to play of the front foot.

Players to look out for:

 Damian McKenzie: This diminutive fulback will want to get back on the field after last seasons injury. This is player who did not go to the World Cup last year because of injury, and all their opposition would have been glad that they didn’t have to face the fleetfooted fulback. He will want to come back this year and become one of the key players that the All Blacks would start building a squad around for the next world cup.

Aaron Cruden: a Player returning from his stint in Europe. If you look at South-Africans going there they usually become better players over there. I am not saying that the European teams are better teams or have better coaches but it is evident that the payers returning from there are more mature players. Now Aaron left as the backup for Carter in the All Blacks setup and if he also returns a better player he would look to make an impact from the word go.

Sam Cane: He was probably one of the major reasons New Zealand lost to England in their semi-final. They started Scot Barret he is also an amazing player but much slower to the breakdowns than Cane is and that cost them. Sam is going to have allot of presure on his shoulders having to lead the pack after Retallick left. He will just look to do the basics right (tackle and compete at the breakdown) I know that is not always the eye catching rugby but it is that hard “donkey” work that wins games.

New signings:

Bradley Slater (Hooker), Ryan Coxon (Prop), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Lock), Dylan Nel (Flanker), Aaron Cruden (Flyhalf), Kaleb Trask (Flyhalf), Orbyn Leger (Center),  Lisati Milo-Harris (Scrumhalf), Sam McNicol (Utility back), Kini Naholo (Wing), Quinn Tupaea (Center).

Players that left:

Kane Hames, Sosefo Kautai, Liam Polwart, Brodie Retallick, Fin Hoeata, Taleni Seu, Jonathan Taumateine, Jack Debreczeni, Ataata Moeakiola, Marty McKenzie.