great result for the chiefs, they are playing well at times but can't help but feel they still haven't hit their best... Just need to cut down some of the dropped ball and errors on defense that I guess go with a new bunch of players and coaches.
But they are winning and that's what counts, Their scrum is really good, breakdown work is really good, lineouts are ok, defence overall you would have to say is very good but is an area I think they can improve.
Sona was impressive, always had the ability to sniff the try line close but this year has been something else, and he's been good in the scrum too but much of the credit for that I think goes to the other 4 members of the tight 5 maybe more than him but still. much improved. Tameifuna has obviously been the real find, mind blowing really. He has been the key for the chiefs, after Smith and Afeki were injured the chiefs pack should have been up **** creak but Tameifuna has done more than fill in he's been brilliant. When their two injured props make a comeback I think the chiefs front row stocks will be the best ever from my memory, maybe since the 90's.
I thought Hika Elliot had a really good game I also thought latimer had a very good game too, this may be the first time in a looong time Latimer has had a better game than Messam - not to say Messam had a bad game. Some strong runs, some massive tackles and very few errors. Looks like he's bulked up a bit because he's smashing guys on defense and pushing over the advantage line really well with the ball.
How good was that run from Horrell? That may have been one of the sweetest runs I've seen this year. He looked fricken good actually - heck I dont think the chiefs lost anything by resting Robinson - or Kane Thomson for that matter Bradley had a solid game to.
Cruden impressed again, as did SBW and Kahui. Kahui was really good on defense again, he makes such great tackles and so often he doesn't just stop the man but he shifts the momentum of the play in the chiefs favor. Bloody brilliant - he's had a really good run without any serious injury too, long may it continue.
Good game from the cheetahs, they haven't got many good results this year but they are the best SA team to watch and they have the skill to hurt any team that doesn't respect them... just ask the hurricanes.
Sharks next and I see that game as critical. NZ teams chances of playoff spots will be boosted by making sure they get three of the playoff spots and to do that they need to take points off the sharks, Reds and Tah's. It's not just about picking up points for your team it's about denying points for rival opposition teams. Massive game.
