Blues 2025
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I think NZ schools and Blues u20 Prop Robson Faleafa is also training with the squad -
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I think this is Sika Pole at training -
Who is this?
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@Daffy-Jaffy That's definitely Sika Pole.
The pictures below, he kind of looks like Tamiano Ahloo? Which wouldn't be surprising to see him show up at Blues training. But that would also be one of the oldest looking 18-year olds that I've seen, so I could be way off here.
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@reprobate said in Blues 2025:
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
@reprobate said in Blues 2025:
That's on Harry, not the selectors.
Same as Akira then. You either reckon they got the nudge from the selectors or you don't.
Not really the same: Akira is 29 and has been in the frame for years, whereas Plummer is 26 and this is the first time he has been even close on Super performance. One is quitting after giving it a decent crack, one is quitting at the first sign of potentially being up to it.
What potential opportunity was that? The two minutes where he didn't get to touch the ball for the entire tour?
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@antipodean said in Blues 2025:
@reprobate said in Blues 2025:
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
@reprobate said in Blues 2025:
That's on Harry, not the selectors.
Same as Akira then. You either reckon they got the nudge from the selectors or you don't.
Not really the same: Akira is 29 and has been in the frame for years, whereas Plummer is 26 and this is the first time he has been even close on Super performance. One is quitting after giving it a decent crack, one is quitting at the first sign of potentially being up to it.
What potential opportunity was that? The two minutes where he didn't get to touch the ball for the entire tour?
Spot on
Some money quotes in there
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@nzzp you would hope that both parties were honest with the next steps ie the coaches with him and him with NZR as I expect these negotiations have been on the table for a while, and he likely was able to demand a bit more after his 2 mins...
If the coaches were honest telling him he is 3rd and unlikely to move up or had too many work ons or whatever, then good on them (even if we disagree with them) as it allows him to move on.
As to Plummer, I will never criticise these guys for making thier money while they can, it is what it is.
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Plummer can be really proud of his career in NZ - guiding Auckland and the Blues to drought breaking titles. Throw in the Trans Ta$man Super title too. He delivered in finals.
It's a shame we didn't get to see him get a proper crack at test level to see if he could translate his Super Rugby Final form across - where he looked every bit the test 10.
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@KiwiMurph spot on.
Injuries weren't kind to him, but he's had a good career
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@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
Injuries weren't kind to him, but he's had a good career
Yeah those shoulder injuries really delayed the start of his career
He did get the goal kicking yips early on too. When 10's are missing goal kicks their general play gets judged harder. I think he was playing better than he was given credit for in those early seasons
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@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
Injuries weren't kind to him, but he's had a good career
Yeah those shoulder injuries really delayed the start of his career
He did get the goal kicking yips early on too. When 10's are missing goal kicks their general play gets judged harder. I think he was playing better than he was given credit for in those early seasons
He was, but always got shifted around as well which never allowed him to settle. He was 10 one week, 12 the next, then on the bench the following for a fair bit of his early career.
He was judged very harshly in 2019 when we were still finding our feet as a side and then had to compete with Barrett, Perofeta and Black until last season when he finally got a decent opportunity at 10 for the first time in his career and sure enough, look what happened.
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ATTN Northlanders - from a Blues email -
We are rocking and rolling in the lead up to Christmas here at Blues HQ. Our Blues men have another full on week of pre-season training, culminating with a camp in Northland on Thursday and Friday. We’ll be training at Northland’s Rugby Union's training base (136 Riverside Drive, Parahaki) from 11:45am – 1:15pm on Thursday with public welcome to attend. In the afternoon half the squad are visiting Onerahi Rugby Club to help with some painting around the place while the other half will be delivering and packing the ‘Fill The Blues Bus’ food donations at Whakaora Kai food rescue charity.
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In round 1 the Blues take on the Chiefs in a grand final repeat, so for a limited time only we have an awesome pre-sale ticket offer for our Blues whānau. This offer will expire on Friday 13 December at 12pm noon – so get in now and don’t miss out! Experience the energy of a packed out Eden Park. Orders are limited to 10 tickets.
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Buy Tickets - DHL Super Rugby Pacific Blues v Chiefs
DHL Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 starts with a bang with a repeat of the Grand Final - Blues v Chiefs. 17:00 - Box office opens 17:15 - Gate A opens 17:30 - Gates open 17:35 - Blue Mile - Blues Players arrive at Gate A, welcome the team off the bus as they walk through the concourse! 18:50 - Open...
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So Payton Spencer had a left shoulder reconstruction.
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"Without hesitation, Spencer says he’s a fullback in 15s after switching from the All Blacks Sevens programme"
Nothing new there. However I think he'll have a better chance of making the 23 if he can cover wing too
Assuming one of the 10's at 15, Sullivan possibly in the midfield. Spencer might be competing with Forbes for chances
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Another extra player at training to identify?
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'I felt I wasn't going to get a shot': Why Plummer decided to leave NZ
