Blues 2017
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@African-Monkey said in Blues 2017:
I would assume Visinia is on his way out as Sumo mentioned during the Auckland v Otago game that Otago fullback Michael Collins is close to signing for us.
I heard that, and it really surprised me. Collins has good stat's this year but he's a makeshift fullback and ain't at all quick. Plus I'm wondering if those stats are even up to much given the dominance Otago have had against other tier 2 sides and their struggles vs Canterbury and Auckland.
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Yeah from what I've seen he doesn't look like anything special. We've got players in our own region that are just as good, if not better than Collins.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Blues 2017:
@Duluth Lam is a big unit and quick. He could be Hosea Gear like if he can stay fit.
Actually, he would be more like Hosea Gear if he can't stay fit.
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Two young backline prospects from Taranaki and Otago will head to the Blues for next year’s Investec Super Rugby Championship.
Teenage first-five Stephen Perofeta, originally from Wanganui but playing for Taranaki, and Otago utility Michael Collins have signed to join the Blues, it was announced today.
Both players have represented New Zealand at age grade level, Schools and/or New Zealand Under-20, and have impressed in the Mitre-10 Cup competition this season.
Perofeta, 19, is a player for the future to join established pivots Ihaia West and Piers Francis at the Blues. He was a finalist for Heartland player of the year in 2015 after his debut for Wanganui as a schoolboy, scoring more than 100 points before scoring 58 points in three games for the NZ Heartland XV.
He moved to Taranaki and was selected for the NZ Under-20s for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
“He is a young player who is achieving beyond his years and we believe is an outstanding prospect for the future,” said Blues coach Tana Umaga. “We’ve been watching Stephen for some time and believe he has the attributes we need and the maturity even at his age to make a real contribution to the Blues.
“First five has been a priority position for the past two seasons and we have been working closely with some exciting young first fives coming through in the region, but they are not yet ready to blood at Super level.
Collins, 23, is formerly from Queenstown before moving to Dunedin where he captained Otago Boys and was selected for the NZ Schools in 2011 and New Zealand Under-20s in 2013.
He moved to the Otago team and last year spent the off-season playing for Llanelli in the Welsh competition as injury cover before returning for the Mitre 10 Cup.
Collins is a utility who can play midfield or in the back three, and has made his mark this year at fullback
“Michael is another to come through the national age group system. We believe he has the speed and skills required to cover a number of backline positions and will be a real asset to the Blues.”
The Blues will finalise their squad in the coming weeks with the announcement in early November.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
Im a Perofeta fan - good signing.
Watched him a couple of times last year and wondered why he was playing heartland rugby.
Looks to be a smart player and a good kicker.
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@rotated SBW, Pulu, Manu and now Perofeta. Not inspired by Collins coming but I'd hardly say that it's been uninspiring recruitment so far.
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@African-Monkey Jimmy Tupou also a solid signing.
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@KiwiMurph Forgot about Tupou and Hodgman who is also a very good signing, he just hasn't had a chance to prove himself at Super level behind Moody and Crockett. Wouldn't suprise me if Hodgman starts next year.
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@Wurzel said in Blues 2017:
You'd hope Tana is showing Harry Plummer some love. It's early days yet, but if a player like him flourished elsewhere it would be a disaster for Auckland/Blues rugby
His names suggests he should be playing for England.
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@cgrant said in Blues 2017:
Harry Plumer is an outstanding prospect, at least as a goalkicker. He was very good against the Aussie schoolboys.
He does look the goods doesn't he? I would assume someone has him tied into something. Needs a season of NPC but you'd be silly to let another team get him first if you had an option.
