Blues 2018
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Looks like Sione Havili won't be on the bench tonight (disappointing but not surprising).
I wonder if Telea and Sotutu are injured? They are mentioned in the article but not in the team named. Jeez the Blues love an injury - what the hell is going on with their strength and conditioning? this isn't exactly the first year injuries have been a real problem for the Blues.
Good to see likes of Reidlinger-Kapa, Funaki, Plummer, Clake and Visinia in there.
Interesting names in the coaching team.
Ahead of tonight’s big game in Dunedin, our Under 20s will kick off the Blues Development Programme against the Under 20s Chiefs in Waihi tomorrow. Leka Tu’ungafasi Luteru Tolai Robb Cobb Ben Sa’u John Akauola-Laula Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (CC) Aleks Dabek Sione Havili Taufa Funaki Harry Plummer Caleb Clarke Sebastian Visinia Scott Gregory Lemeki Namoa Matt Storm Reserves Penisoni Fineanganofo Leon Thambiran Feao Teutau Max Hicks Tamarau McGahan Jack Heighton Wiseguy Faiane Patrick Pati AJ Lam John Cooper Nathan Va’atausili Dan Halangahu, Coach Ben Afeaki, Assistant Coach Steven Bates, Assistant Coach -
@kiwimurph have heard good things about Scott Gregory.
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@tim Parsons really did seem to break the shackles without the captaincy and was running so really nice lines - his core set piece work seemed solid too.
On the other hand Apisai - my main takeaway of him when i've seen him in the past is 'underwhelming' and it was more of the same - he got dominated in some collisions.
Moulds hasn't had a ton of opportunities but he hasn't really taken those that he has had.
I'd honestly rather the Blues had someone like Eklund in the mix - he was a huge improver in M10 Cup and looked sharp at the Brisbane 10s - I reckon he could provide real spark off the bench with his speed.
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@kiwimurph Eklunds throwing is worse than Moulds....I know it isn't always the throwers fault.
Yeah Moulds has all the attributes to be a top drawer hooker, but just hasn't gotten there yet, which makes you wonder if he will.
Tana was impressed with Ross Wright in pre-season, many Taniwha fans have said for years hooker is his best spot, could be worth a crack off the bench.
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@taniwharugby Eklund's throwing was hugely improved in 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. 2016 yes I'd agree - 2017 he was MUCH better.
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@kiwimurph Yup, he was probably one of our standouts in a horrendous M10 Cup season.
I'd hope Parsons goes around another year for us especially as he isn't far away from 100 games.
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@kiwimurph yep Telea and Sotutu both injured at the Brissy 10s and haven't come right yet. Blues 20s were very poor against the Chiefs. Chiefs were 14 nil up at halftime. Blues forwards very loose/disconnected (buzzword these days), possession was scarce. Sione Havili far and away the best player for the blues. Kaynan Tua (son of David) also caught the eye coming off the bench with some strong aggressive carries which was seriously lacking in the first half. When the Blues backs finally got ball they tried to push the pass too much. Scott Gregory probably the main culprit with a number of errors. Very uncharacteristic of him though...I've seen him play a lot and this was a game he would much rather forget. Wiseguy Faiane came on 2nd half with Plummer moving to 2nd 5 and Visinia replacing Gregory at center. That seemed to spark things a bit but too late as the Chiefs consolidated their first half 14nil lead with 2 further tries. Plummer outplayed by his Chiefs counterpart Matoe. Caleb Clarke may as well have not been playing he hardly touched the ball which was absolute criminal!! Sebastian Visinia the pick of the Blues backs.
Blues 20s play the Hurricanes next Saturday at Suburbs. Apparently Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett will both be playing! -
I will be heading along to watch the Blues development game on Saturday will keep you all posted.
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