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Foster in sensible selection shock |
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Written by the Astonished Fan in the Stand
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Thursday, 12 November 2009 |
Mr Foster, the Fan feels cheated. At this time of year, I expect to rant and rave over the injustice of the Chiefs squad selection, while pouring derision on unknowns who just happen to play within the sound of the cowbell.
My vitriol was already prepared. How could Foster leave Bourke out after the season he had for the Bay? Surely Retallick deserved a spot ahead of {insert no-name flashy Waikato lock}. How was that young double barrelled Waikato pup selected ahead our rock solid Junior?
I had resigned myself to just four Bay players in the Chiefs this season those being all of the obvious selections. Our current All Blacks Latimer and Delany were assured of places, our junior All Black James McGougan would be there and there looked to be no competition for Luke Braid as openside cover for Latimer. A total of seven Bay players was well beyond my expectation.
Colin Bourke has been colossal for the Bay in 2009 but rumours were abounding that he would be excluded from Foster’s squad. Bourke had rarely been sighted in the Chiefs this year with Lauaki and Messam preferred at number eight. His selection is great news for the Bay, an extended run in the Chiefs starting line-up could see the multi-talented Bay skipper press for higher honours.
Culum Retallick has been a rock in the Bay forward pack for two seasons now but there is a long history of Bay solidity missing out to wayward Waikato flair in the Chiefs forward pack. Retallick’s aerial skills have improved markedly in 2009 and he should be pushing for a starting spot against the incumbents O’Neill and Clarke.
Junior Poluleuligaga has been a model of consistency behind the Bay pack, his partnership with Mike Delany flourishing over the weeks. Young Kerr-Barlow has shown some erratic brilliance at half-back for Waikato but Foster has made the sensible choice to cover for the often injured Leonard.
So what of the rest of the Chiefs, 2010 edition? The Fan could grizzle about the underwhelming Callum Bruce and Dwayne Sweeney but they did perform for the Chiefs when they made the final last season. Maybe Delany will push out Bruce in 2010 and take the ten jersey so that Donald can move out to 12. The bolter in the backs is the very promising Tim Nanai-Williams of Counties-Manukau, already a Sevens star and being groomed for the future in the Chiefs.
Jason Hona and Phil Burleigh have missed out this time but they must have been close to selection and could still claim a spot if the usual Chiefs injury blight occurs.
Finally spare a thought for Joe Savage who started the provincial season as a Chiefs player and captain of the Steamers and has now lost both of those titles. A prop with the name of Savage will surely recover from these setbacks. Go the mighty Bay of Plenty Chiefs!
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