Foxy's verdict: Chiefs can do it

BY GRANT FOX

Last updated 10:49 24/05/2009

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OPINION: Make no mistake, these Chiefs are the real deal.

Winning the Super 14 title is well within their capability after they came of age at Waikato Stadium on Friday night.

It wasn't your imagination that the Chiefs were that one metre faster, that vital millisecond quicker than the Hurricanes - they were.

Two weeks ago, I wondered whether the Hurricanes were the better off of the two after losing their round-robin clash.

I felt that defeat would sting the Canes to go up a level and that maybe the Chiefs had put their best form on the park too early.

Wrong on both counts.

The Hurricanes went up in intensity, but backwards in their tactical and strategic approaches.

The Chiefs just simply got better.

The Canes seemed determined to bash away around the fringes with a real emphasis on ball protection.

From there, they looked to kick and play a game of field position, slowly turning on the pressure.

But they came unstuck on both counts.

The Chiefs' line speed and physicality at the breakdown made it difficult for the visitors to get any momentum at all.

And when they did kick, they kicked poorly.

The Chiefs' have the best attacking back three in Super 14 - including the world's best fullback in Mils Muliaina. If you find their catching arms rather than grass, you are going to be in big trouble.

So it was for the Canes, who simply didn't chance their arm or play enough rugby to deny a Chiefs outfit that all Kiwi rugby fans can take pride in.

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Charlie #46 07:22 am Jun 04 2009

Well that game was a waste of time. If that was the BEST NZ team to challenge the Bulls then the ABs are screwed this year.

Keeewieeee #45 08:46 am Jun 01 2009

Ouuuuuuch!!!

Dont reckon any side, international or provincial would have beaten the Bulls yesterday! Good luck to the Lions, Aussies and All Blacks this year...

Hugh Acton #44 10:33 pm May 31 2009

I know its easy to comment in hind sight, but Guys to be so far off the mark in your predictions means that perhaps you need to go back to the drawing board.Hugh

bottom line #43 08:30 pm May 31 2009

8 tries to 2.

JOE OMALLEY #42 01:03 pm May 31 2009

well picked!61- 17 was very close however........

ShaBOOOM !! #41 04:04 pm May 30 2009

Bulls who??? Damn the bulls...who gives a hoot about those sissy Steyn droppies....What a better place to slay the bull than its own paddock ... bring it on you fudging pillowbiters!!!!

CHIEFS BY 20 !!!! CHIEFS FOREVER !!!!

mocklarock #40 06:12 pm May 29 2009

Steyn was in the flow & on fire in that semi the scary thing about him was how casual he was was when he dropped those goals?? Fourie's pass to the fullback that lead to nduganes try?? SIck!!?? Im a kiwi but simply I appreciate quality rugby I like both sides Chiefs & Bulls I want chiefs to win! I think the Bulls will though? Surprised I havent heard or seen much media coverage about the up coming Lions series in Sth Africa but my pick would be that the boks wipe the floor with em like we did!!!

Andy #39 04:23 am May 29 2009

For once we should take a leaf out of the rugby league book. Drop Goal = 1 point. It is true that it takes skill to drill one, and can therefore break a deadlock and win the game (Stacey Jones), but lets not have 80mins of drop goal attempts in an attempt to rack up points - boring!

Daniel #38 10:40 pm May 28 2009

To Ryan #10, Crusaders were too good in defence??? 3 tries Bulls, hellooooo, 3 tries besides the perfect drop goals. Go Bulls!!

Phil #37 11:41 am May 28 2009

I agree with Foxy, the Chiefs are a very good side. Whether they can beat the Bulls or not without some of thier better players (Sivivatu, May, Leonard) remains to be seen. All power to them!

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