Blues 2018
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@Bovidae he came of his own free will
...although TBF I had heard the Chiefs were keen on him before he even played for Northland. -
@Tim Michael Collins isn't playing for Otago due to a stress fracture in his leg.
Is Matt Vaega signed? I don't think he played one minute for the Blues in 2017. Which is a shame because he is a good player.
I'm not convinced at all by Trainor. One decent cameo against a garbage Reds side with nothing to play for - aside from that he's shown next to nothing to even look Super Rugby standard.
I'd prefer to have a quality midfield than outside backs - Blues havent had a quality midfield in forever. With SBW, Rieko, and youngsters Faiane (and hopefully Tua) there is some genuine midfield ability there. Knowing the Blues though they'll probably stubbornly stick Moala in the midfield and then wonder why their backline has no flow.
I'm interested in who Blues sign for their 3rd halfback - I'd be throwing everything at Enari but there are also other good young halfbacks around. Pleasing that Nock is looking good for Northland.
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It was more to highlight that players move to/from all over NZ so provincial allegiances don't mean much with the new SR contracting system.
There was a story about Alaimalo's background during the Super season:
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@Bovidae yeah I know that, and the new contracting model does seem for the most part to be evening things out with less players moving just for a Super contract...I mean despite our shit results of the past 2 seasons, we have our best Super rugby representation since, well probably ever!
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Sounds like Matt Vaega will be with harbour again next year.
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As far as his career goes, Vaega is committed to the club for the next year. And while being a humble individual, he is a leader in the team. Given responsibilities within the side, that compliments his rugby-brain and consistency.
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Be interesting to see if Perofeta gets some time at fullback next season. Gives a second playmaker, and could allow an extra forward reserve to beef up the pack in the last 30 mins.
I know I'm a broken record, but we could really do with a slick passing halfback to give the backline that bit more space and time.
Gatland and Mo'unga are the form 1st 5s of the NPC so far. Perofeta and Black are going well too.
Hopefully those frontrow reserves can put some heat on at scrum time.
1 Pauliasi Manu
2 James Parsons
3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Jerome Kaino
7 Blake Gibson
8 Akira Ioane9 Augustine Pulu
10 Bryn Gatland/Otere Black
11 Melani Nanai
12 SBW
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Matt Duffie
15 Stephen Perofeta16 Matt Moulds
17 Alex Hodgman
18 Mike Tamoaieta
19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
20 Dalton Papali'i/Kara Pryor
21 Manihera/Liavaa-Moala/Jimmy Tupou22 Sam Nock
23 George Moala/TJ Faiane/Matt Vaega -
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@Stargazer Nope, but he's one of options I suspect will be available to sign. IIRC, Bovidae pointed out that there isn't room for him at the Chiefs.
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@Tim Matich is another that could be an option for the squad, has been in Blues dev system (and Auckland) heard he was very close to nabbing a super contract this year (not with Blues)
I'm a big fan of his, huge motor on him and accurate.
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@Duluth Taramai is gone apparently. Wouldn't be surprised if Nanson misses a lock/loose-forward spot.
Only thing I've seen about Fa'anana-Shultz was in this Australian article, which is hardly conclusive.
Rebels lose young star, Sydney Uni clash
Southern Districts will have to do without the services of Jamason Fa’anana-Shultz for the rest of the season...
The Waratahs decided against taking him on but two New Zealand-based Super Rugby clubs, believed to be the Hurricanes and the Blues, have swooped, with both the Wellington and Auckland-based clubs said to be keen on his services.
