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‘Going to add some silverware’: Sonny Bill Williams tips former club for title
By Finn Morton
The Chiefs extended their unbeaten streak with a convincing win over the Highlanders on Friday, and an All Blacks great believes they can go all the way this season.
Dual international Sonny Bill Williams has tipped his former club to “add some silverware to the cabinet” after their 10th win of the season.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner, who won a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs, shared the message on Twitter after the ladder-leaders went coast-to-coast in Dunedin.
“Looking like they’re going to add some silverware to the cabinet this year,” the former All Black tweeted.
The Chiefs started their season with an emphatic win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, and they haven’t looked back since.
Led by playmakers Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber, as well as high-flying outside backs Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa, the Chiefs have been sensational.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders again in round 10, before heading to Dunedin for their second consecutive match against New Zealand opposition.
While the Highlanders shocked the undefeated Chiefs with an early try to Ethan de Groot, the visitors quickly took control.
In the end, it wasn’t really close.
The Chiefs unleashed an attacking onslaught against the Highlanders – they went on a try-scoring blitz, which included a brilliant solo effort from Narawa.
With All Blacks coach Ian Foster in the crowd, winger Emoni Narawa and fullback Shaun Stevenson continued to impress ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.
“There have been a number of players who have out their hand up, but I guess in the case of Shaun and Emoni, they’ve probably been the ones in bright lights,” Foster said on SENZ The Run Home earlier this week.
“They’ve taken their opportunity, they’re playing regularly and really doing a good job for their franchises and making us have a look at that.
“The fact that you’ve got Sevu Reece, who’s out of contention… it does mean that we are putting the spotlight on that space.
“It’s a good time to be playing well as an outside back, that’s all I’d say.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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