Waratahs announce experienced side for trial game against the Chiefs

more bad news for chiefs Number eight Maama Vaipulu went off after 25 minutes with an injured right shoulder, and openside flanker Mitchell Karpik picked up a knee injury three minutes into the second half.

All over, Chiefs have won.

Never trust Wikipedia. Look at his weight now

Hey Paul, got a score update?

Thus far 12-12 a the 3/4 mark. Pretty happy with that given the level of experience in the Tahs team

If I was you I'd book my Grand Final tickets now to avoid missing out.

He might have fattened up, Tah's website has him at 128kg and make special mention of his weight putting him second in line in the big stakes

I wonder how much he has improved

Wiki had his weight at 116kg

Yeah, a full of colossuses of Super Rugby their 2016 version...

great news about Naiyaravoro coming back to bolster the Tahs wing spots in late May for the remainder of the season... will be better for the Scotland run (3 tries last game apparently) and can cover for injuries or just chime in as a 'finisher'...I have little doubt this backline will be highly competitive ...like you Chook I want to see the forwards rip in in the old JackPot fashion...I guess we'll be coming up against ol' Jackpot at some stage...

Yeah Cynical... for me it's more about how our forwards perform. Especially our front row. Regards Dempsey... he's definitely got talent, is very athletic but still young. I'm a little concerned he's not big enough just yet.

Can't agree. The starting XV looks promising on paper but still largely unproven (nobody really knows how Guildford and Robinson will fare). The bench is lacking experience in key areas (locks and outside backs) and the 30 man squad really doesn't stand out.

It's great that there are so many young players this year. We had a good couple of years with a settled squad and now that they have to rebuild it looks to me like they have terrific potential.

Another run for Robinson and Guilford. First runs for a few players and chance to impress. The result here will be quickly forgotten no matter who prevails (I favour the Chiefs at home with the Tahs without Folau, Foley, etc). But the interest for me lies in seeing how the starting front tow goes, how Horne goes at 13, how Dempsey goes at 6 (I've never seen him play) and of course how Guilford goes. The Tahs seem ti be developing a very flexible back-line. I would even rest Foley from this game as he must be completely shagged and we don't want him injured

Lousi is not an 8 though Peter and with his published weight closing in on 130kg I can't imagine he's incredibly effective in the lineout despite his 199cm height. I'm sure he'd add plenty of attacking punch around the fringes but the fact is, when you've already got Skelton and Hooper is your 7, you need the other three in the back five to link, hit the rucks, control the lineouts and do a lot of the dirty work down on the ground that neither Hooper and Skelton do. That requires three blokes with big engines and I'm not sure Lousi fits that bill for the starting XV. I'd stick with Jed Holloway as the 8 and let him find his feet. He's still young, good in the lineout, quick, has great hands, strong in contact and, more importantly, every level he's played he's stepped up and become a consistently high performer. I think he'll do the same at Super Rugby level too.

Chiefs another dead set team . One of about 5 teams that are fighting for the title. Chiefs , crusaders , tahs, stormers, and Jaguares

The Chiefs aren't mucking around. Rettalick, Cane and TKB all named for the trial. Great to see James Lowe back. Lookout if Fisiahi gets some open space, be the fastest on the paddock i'd say.

Tahs have a great side to take the title

PeterK... hopefully next week they won't be so weak eh?