Blues 2017

Tim

@KiwiMurph link?

EDIT: Here it is - http://theblues.co.nz/development-programme-in-full-flight-as-u20s-prepare-for-canes/

Tim

Pretty strong dev team!

Sam Prattley, Blues (Auckland)
James Parsons, Blues (North Harbour)
Marcel Renata, Auckland
Josh Goodhue, Blues (Northland)
Scott Scrafton, Blues (Auckland)
Brandon Nansen, Blues (North Harbour)
Murphy Taramai, Blues (North Harbour)
Kara Pryor, Blues (Northland)
Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
Bryn Gatland, North Harbour
Jordan Hyland, Northland
TJ Faiane, Blues (Auckland)
Matt Vaega, Blues (North Harbour)
Salesi Rayasi, Auckland
Jordan Trainor, Auckland
Joe Royal, Blues
Howard Silioto, Northland
Namatahi Waa, Northland
Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, North Harbour
Herschel Gideon, Auckland
William Talataina-Mu, Auckland
Pisi Leilua, Auckland

KiwiMurph

@Tim See @Stargazer also posted the team above.

Tim

@KiwiMurph Oops.

KiwiMurph

Blues U20s team named for this weekend.

U20s team to face the Hurricanes

Jerry Samania
JP Sauni
Afioga Ielemia
Sam Slade
Cameron Suafoa
Hoskins Sotutu
Adrian Choat
Dalton Papalii (C)
Lewis Gjaltema
Wiseguy Faiane
TJ Vaega
Tamati Tua
Tanielu Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Otumaka Mausia

Bench
Charles Napa’a
Robb Cobb
Fe’ao Teutau
John Akauola-Laula
Sione Talitui
Henry Saker
James Little
Siave Togoiu
Loketi Manu
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Nikolai Foliaki

Nick White, coach
Dan Halangahu, assistant coach
Grant Wilson, manager
Dan Halliday, physio
Jaco Pretorius, physio
Josh Yarnton, performance analyst
Tim Hurst, trainer

Bovidae

For those that are interested the Chiefs Development team beat the Blues Development team 35-14.

I didn't see the Chiefs team list but that is a good win.

Northlandallday

@Bovidae said in Blues 2017:

For those that are interested the Chiefs Development team beat the Blues Development team 35-14.

I didn't see the Chiefs team list but that is a good win.

That's a very good win to the chiefs dev, as that Blues dev team was a solid looking squad. Considering the Blues dev team were unbeaten (if I recall correctly) last year, it seems a step backwards?

KiwiMurph

@Northlandallday Blues U20 coach might have something to do with it...

Nogusta

@KiwiMurph

A bit delayed but – I was at this game last Saturday. Canes had a stacked side with a couple of Super WTG guys in there (Jonah Lowe, Hugh Renton) and quite a few others with Mitre 10 experience. They certainly weren’t all U20 so was a good test for the young Blues side. Blues came out guns blazing to take an early 19-5 lead. Caleb Clarke scorching the Hurricances for 2 awesome long range efforts. The first one from halfway, hugging the line and just getting on the outside of his marker off a beautiful flat pass from fullback Otu Mausia. The chasers shouldn’t even have bothered. The 2nd one after getting back to support the fullback following a Canes clearing kick. Clarke took a pass on his own 22 metre line – again close to the touchline – and just gassed it down the left touchline. Beat the first guy with power, beat the cover defender with pure pace then an in and away with only about 2 metres of the sideline to work with to beat the last line. It was a joy to watch!! Canes kept it tight and ground away to score 2 tries of their own to make the score 19all at halftime. The 2nd half was an even affair. Errors creeping in to both sides games understandable given all the movement on the subs benches. In the end it was only 2 missed conversions in it. Both teams scored 2 tries in the 2nd half, the Canes converting both of theirs. Final score 33-29 to the Canes. Blues staff would have been quietly pleased with that effort as they would certainly have to have been considered the underdogs. 10 (out of 26) of that Blues 20s squad will be eligible again next year against probably just 2 from the Canes (Proctor and Moimoiseia).

Players to catch the eye for the Blues.

Dalton Papali’i – Gee this kid is a machine. It’s no wonder he is very highly regarded in the Blues organization. Another 2 tries against the Canes to go with his 2 the week before against the Chiefs 20s.
Caleb Clarke – Will easily be the first choice winger for the NZ U20s. Bigger, stronger and faster than his old man at the same age. Crazy to think he is still 17 – turning 18 this year.
TJ Vaega – Although not tall for an outside back –was great under the high ball, and extremely dangerous with ball in hand making a lot of threatening runs.
Cameron Suafoa – Big test against the premiere up n coming lock Walker-Leawere but gave a good account of himself. Called up to the March NZ U20s camp
Tanielu Tele’a – Given a start this week after good impact off the bench against the Chiefs the week before. Looked confirtable at this level. Also called up to the NZ U20s camp
Lewis Gjaltema – Great game by the halfback. Ran well and good option taking.

First post

Cheers – ex pat Aucklander living in the capital.

Hooroo

@Nogusta Welcome aboard

Nogusta

@Hooroo Cheers!

Tim

@Nogusta Great first post dude. Welcome aboard.

Nogusta

@Tim thanks mate. I feel welcome already!

KiwiMurph

@Nogusta As has been said, welcome and excellent first post.

I'd like to see these young Aucklanders get a crack in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.

Tim

Should be a very good Auckland squad this year. Question marks are 9, 10, and tighthead prop. Wonder if Ofa will be available often?

Stargazer

@Nogusta Cheers, good to read a summary from a Blues perspective; it corresponds to most of my summary in the Hurricanes thread!

Indeed, a few of the Canes U20 players aren't U20: Piri Paraone may be 20 (not sure), both Canes full squad members, Hugh Renton and Jonah Lowe, are 20 and possibly there's one more.

But you are incorrect about the number of players from the Canes U20s that are eligible again next year. Without checking, I can already name Tim Farrell, Liam Giltrap, Brayden Iose, Al Momoisea, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Will Tremain and possibly Ben Power and Ben Werthmuller.

Welcome to the Fern!

Nogusta

@Stargazer Cheers bro. Yep I did realize there were a few more U20 boys there after looking at the team sheet again. Either way what awesome talent coming through the ranks. BTW...there would have probably been a few sighs of relief from the opposition seeing Alex Fidow running the water instead of running rampant on the field...! Lol. Was expecting to see Carlos Price as well?
Thanks for the welcome!

cgrant

Is Plummer injured ?

KiwiMurph

@cgrant I may be wrong but I think he's having planned shoulder surgery with the view to give the NZ U20s a real crack next year.

KiwiMurph

Perofeta is back for Blues development this weekend

Team list:

Howard Silioto, Northland
Hame Faiva, Blues
Namatahi Waa, Northland (Blues Squad)
Josh Goodhue, Blues
Scott Scrafton, Blues
Brandon Nansen, Blues
Kara Pryor, Blues
Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, North Harbour
Sam Nock (C), Blues
Stephen Perofeta, Blues
Pisi Leilua, Auckland
Matt Vaega, Blues
Rene Ranger, Blues
Declan O’Donnell, Blues
Jordan Trainor, Blues

Joe Royal, Blues
Isi Tu’ungafasi, Auckland
Marcel Renata, Auckland
Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
Connor Collett, North Harbour
Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
William Talataina-Mu, Auckland
Jordan Hyland, Northland

The Silver Fern

Blues 2017