I'm interested to see if Stacey will have the cojones to put Chanel at 6 for the Kiwis this year over Brown. He's got him beat for every stat, barring tackle breaks and run metres, despite having 81 fewer touches of the ball. Not to mention, Brown didn't even play 6 in a bottom-four team last night.
I'm interested to see if Stacey will have the cojones to put Chanel at 6 for the Kiwis this year over Brown. He's got him beat for every stat, barring tackle breaks and run metres, despite having 81 fewer touches of the ball. Not to mention, Brown didn't even play 6 in a bottom-four team last night.
Chanel appreciation post. I must admit, I've been one of Chanel's harshest critics over the years, but man I'm happy to admit I'm wrong and am stoked for how well he's been going on 2025.
Imo he's been a fantastic 2nd option as a half - kicking, running, and defending really well and chiming in where needed. He used to overplay his hand quite often, we all remember the no look pass over the side line last year, a long with other poor plays, but he's really cut those down this year.
Interestingly, he has 17 try assists for the year, which is 3rd equal for a Warriors half over the last 10 years. SJ got 27 in 2023, 18 in 2017 and 17 in 2018, so if he manages to get 2 more before the season end he'd sit 2nd outright, which is very impressive.
Chanel has the making of a really good 6, just waiting on him to put it all together. Wish he would back himself to run more, he's tough and he's not that small so I think he'd make a great running half personally.
Chanel has the making of a really good 6, just waiting on him to put it all together. Wish he would back himself to run more, he's tough and he's not that small so I think he'd make a great running half personally.
Possibly yes but personally I think it's habitual - if im not mistaken he came up as a natural playmaking halfback (with a pension for the flash: View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a65e6XBgZsM). So he has a pass-first/set up first mentality.
Contrast it with Luke Metcalf who is basically the opposite - natural 6 run first, now handed the playmaking reigns.
I think he has all the tools to run it well but the guys who do it best think RUN first PASS second naturally