Blues 2017
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Thinking about the Blues in 2018. In a good sign, there won't be a huge number of spots available, but there won't be none either.
There are probably 22 players who will definitely be picked:
As Perofeta covers fullback, I expect that they'll try for four 1st 5s: Black, West, Gatland, and him. West is short (5'9"), but I'd love to see him counter attacking from the back in the last 20-mins. I wonder if he will head to the Hurricanes if we pick up Black?
Half back is a bit of a mystery, Nock will need to show something this year, with Milo-Harris the other in-zone option? Who else can we pick up?
Matt Vaega is a good option to cover centre and wing, and there are four players who can play 12 in the squad (SBW, Moala, Faiane, Collins). If he has another good NPC he might be hard to retain though.
Will Jordan Trainor get picked up again? He's another young player who needs consistent game time in which to demonstrate some form. Caleb Clarke is very promising, but young and raw. Should be good competition in the Mitre 10 cup - there's seldom a shortage of decent wings in NZ ...
I expect Dalton Papali'i to be signed as a loose forward, as well as Murphy Taramai. Hopefully we retain (the superior) Kara Pryor.
One more lock, hooker, and prop on each side remain. No idea who they'll be. Would like to see GPT return, but perhaps they will look for someone a bit more dynamic around the park.
That gives 36 players, with seven unnamed. Anyone know how big squads are next year?
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@Tim I thought Nock signed on for 3 years...he needs to get uninjured and play some rugby!
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@taniwharugby Cheers dude. He is definitely in next year then. Hope he gets some decent ball from the Northland backs this year!
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My wishlist would be: A dominant tighthead prop, a dynamic hooker who throws well, and a quality starting halfback - would love a slick passer, with Pulu off the bench for the last 20 to 30 minutes.
I wonder when if Webber is signed to the Chiefs for 2018? How about Moli? I wonder if Mafileo will get some starts, with Tu'ungafasi coming off the bench?
This year we seem to have solved our lock problems. Hopefully Black and Perofeta will solve our 10 problems.
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@Tim I can see us being without one of West or Gatland if Black is signed. I think West is probably the one worth keeping between the two because he could have a niche as an impact player off the bench. We also have Harry Plummer and Wiseguy Faiane on developmental contracts, which might factor in on how many 10s we keep next year.
For halfback, I'd be keen to pick up TTT if available. I like his skillset and upside. The good young halfbacks tend to come through at Super level around their 3rd or 4th year, and if we snag him, we'd get him in his 3rd year.
Trainor is definitely back next year having signed until 2019.
I'd give Clarke a spot(think he is already on the Blues' books in some capacity). He probably won't play much or at all next year if selected, but he can take one of O'Donnell's or Ranger's spot, since those two don't even play anyway. It'd be good for him just to be with the team full time.
I can definitely see Papali'i picking up the spot left behind by Luatua. I wouldn't mind us also making a play for Seu to add some depth and height in the backrow. He's a backrow/lock like Luatua, which could come in handy.
I'm definitely all for GPT coming back, but that ship might've sailed. Tana didn't pick him up two years in a row despite good form, but I'm still hoping. I'm all in on getting young Asafo Aumua, who has all the traits of the modern dynamic hooker. He has Coles and Riccitelli ahead of him down at the Canes, so he definitely seems like someone we could realistically pick up.
It sucks seeing Tupou take up a spot, but it's not so bad if he's well down the pecking order. However, I'd rather give his spot to a developmental lock in Sam Slade(covers 6 too) or Jacob Pierce though.
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Glad to see him moving for more game time. Sad to see him move on, but excited to see what he can develop into as a starting (hopefully!) pivot. A pity he's arriving when some great players like Charlie are moving and on.
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Otere would be good
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
Back 3 and midfield - pretty good. WIth SBW, Nanai, Ioane and others there's enough there to go forward
10 - looking hard
9 - serviceable, with potential (and previous form)
loosies - no problem
Locks - PT and Scott Scrafton look fine at this level
Front row - we'll miss Big Charlie, but Ofa, Parsons and Pauluisi Manu will be good enough
WE're not a complete package, but it's been 14 long years of looking up. Next year will clearly be our year
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@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
Otere would be good
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
Back 3 and midfield - pretty good. WIth SBW, Nanai, Ioane and others there's enough there to go forward
10 - looking hard
9 - serviceable, with potential (and previous form)
loosies - no problem
Locks - PT and Scott Scrafton look fine at this level
Front row - we'll miss Big Charlie, but Ofa, Parsons and Pauluisi Manu will be good enough
WE're not a complete package, but it's been 14 long years of looking up. Next year will clearly be our year
Does that mean they'll have the best spine in the comp ... oops sorry wrong thread/code ...
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alot of expectation being heaped on Black, if he does head north
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
alot of expectation being heaped on Black, if he does head north
Not from me! We're good solid mid table at the moment, if we can go fringe playoff that's a step up.
14 long years baby, 14 long years
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Was referring to this part of nzzp's comment.
@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
We've got enough there for a decent 10 to want to come over.
