Blues 2017
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I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
Tiaan Falcon - we know you want to say it.
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@Chris-B. said in Blues 2017:
I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
I'd definately be happy to lose Fukofuka instead of Stratton
Although I'm not sure he's the type of halfback @Tim is wanting (one with a decent pass)
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@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
Super Rugby-hardened Jackson Garden Bachop is from within the region
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@SammyC yeah sometimes with these young guys who get talked about (and up) form schoolboy level when they arent a starter within a couple of seasons people forget they are still so young and some may flourish quicker than others, or like in the case of Nock, he has had a couple of injury concerns too.
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@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I'd like to see Milo-Harris in the Auckland setup this year - watching Jono Hickey is like torture.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I think Stratton is far more advanced from a game management perspective.. As I mentioned earlier he's a real leader at club level. Captains and steers his team around the park.
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@KiwiMurph Man, I wish that Auckland Rugby would do some fan engagement. Like a weekly video on club rugby highlights, and the coaches talking about performances or players to watch out for.
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@SammyC although in this case, with Nock being at the Blues, he doesnt get to play for his club much (which is where eh would probably learn a shitload too) if at all, and he was an age group captain too wasnt he, so he has the tools, just needs to use them in the big boys club!
Would think if he remains uninjured, he should really push Pulu next season though.
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@Tim said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph Man, I wish that Auckland Rugby would do some fan engagement. Like a weekly video on club rugby highlights, and the coaches talking about performances or players to watch out for.
The time and effort put into the Auckland Rugby's secondary schools youtube channel would be better spent on club rugby
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC although in this case, with Nock being at the Blues, he doesnt get to play for his club much, if at all, and he was an age group captain too wasnt he, so he has the tools, just needs to use them in the big boys club!
Bryn Hall was under 20's captain too
perhaps you could take him backI agree with you, Nock is a good player. But jeez I'd be frustrated with Pulu if I actually cared about the Blues though, he kills so much good fast ball by standing at the back of the ruck thinking about what to do.
Anyway, I'm done discussing the Blues problems. Only jumped on here because I like Stratton and feel he deserves an opportunity somewhere.
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@SammyC ha I was just referring to your comment about being a leader and if Nock was playing club footy regularly he may also be captain and TBH I think these young guys in particular should be released back to thier clubs as often as possible to learn, but obviously super commitments takes away alot of the actual learning while playing as there is more pressure on you from the get go to perform in your 5 or 15 mins.
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2017:
@Stargazer said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
Tiaan Falcon - we know you want to say it.
I didn't/don't want to start a discussion about the Canes in a Blues thread, but yes, I'd like them to lock in Falcon. However, I think the step up to SR might come a bit too early for him as BB's back-up. I'd actually prefer the Canes to swap Black for West until Falcon is ready for SR. Or use Jordie in that role.
Garden-Bachop can stay where he is, and the Canes should dump the always injured TJ Va'a.
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@SammyC I think Fukofuka has another year on his contract. Bryn Hall may be the one to be let go from the Crusaders next year as I'm pretty sure he's on a one year deal.
Oh, and don't act as if you don't want to discuss the Blues with us, we know you love us
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2017 Blues U18 Squad
The following 1st XV players have been selected to attend the annual Blues Under 18 schools camp at the Blues High performance facilities during the first week of the school holidays:
Auckland players:
Hayes Okesene (Kings College)
Millenium Saneviri (Kings College)
Junior Rotuva (Kings College)
Noah Perelini (Kings College)
Thorn Parkes (Kings College)
Aidan Morgan (Kings College)
Fatongia Paea (Sacred Heart College)
Sione (Taufa) Funaki (Sacred Heart College)
Lemeki Namoa (Sacred Heart College)
Zyon Holo (St Peter's College)
Kalin Felise (St Peter's College)
Paul Mohi (Aorere College)
JayJay Su'emai (Aorere College)
Mosese Pepa (Aorere College)
Saula Mau (Auckland Grammar School)
Tovo Faleafa (Auckland Grammar School)
Thomas Strachan (Auckland Grammar School)
Matt Timoko (Auckland Grammar)
Simeon Latu (Auckland Grammar)
Tamaiti Williams (St Kentigern College)
Robert Rush (St Kentigern College)
Caleb Milne (St Kentigern College)
Mitchell Gibson (St Kentigern College)
Wesley Tapueluelu (St Peter's College)
Calum McNab (St Peter's College)
Josh Wheeler (St Peter's College)
Ezra Vai (Kelston Boys High School)
Oliver Shepherd (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Jack Casey Pickering (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Terrell Peita (Mt Albert Grammar School)
John Latu (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Patrick Pati (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Harley Maynard (Mt Albert Grammar School)
TJ Ane (De La Salle College)
Lalomilo Lalomilo (De La Salle College)
Jesse Simi-Tuiala (Papatoetoe High School)
Isileli Manu (Dilworth School)
Tevita Hala (Dilworth School)
Kisi Sau (Tamaki College)
Christian Tuipulotu (St Paul's College)
Fua Schwalgar (Southern Cross Campus)North Harbour/Northland players
Finlay Brewis (Westlake BHS)
David Meki (Rosmini College)
Max Hicks (Rosmini College)
Miller Hazelman (Takapuna GS)
Simon Parker (Otamatea HS)
Lotu Inisi (Westlake BHS)
Tamarau McGahan (Rosmini College)
Brady Rush (Westlake BHS)
Bailee Katipa (Westlake BHS)
Joe Wadman (Kerikeri HS)
Josh Corrigan (Rangitoto College)
Arikitohia Hood-Kaitapu (Westlake BHS) -
Some good players in there, but as a whole, I don't think the squad is as good as past Blues U18 teams.
I've always liked the look and potential of Tevita Hala. He's a crafty little 10 who will remind you a bit of Cruden at times. He's only 16, so we'll need to wait a bit to get our hands on him.
