Blues 2019
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@arhs said in Blues 2019:
Yeah, can't help but think the coaching decision was influenced by the ability of MacDonald to attract a few under-utilised Crusaders north, and still allow Umaga to retain those loyal to him. If he was to have gone, how many of the better players would have followed suit I wonder? I do expect a stronger playing roster with this coaching team.
Ennor, Macilai, Stratton, Sanders, Strange, Jager all may be under-employed by staying put. But, the Crusaders do better than anyone else in keeping their players put.
Of these players, Ennor, Sanders and Jager are all contracted to the Crusaders next year or the year after. I'm only certain that Macilai will be off-contract after the 2018 season.
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I'd imagine there will be a few fringe players that Leon might help to sign, but I doubt there will be many if any big guns who aren't already nailed down elsewhere.
I'd be looking to see whether he could bring Makalio and a fullback - any of Havili, Bridge, Jordan or Dagg.
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Super Rugby is attractive to a Kiwi on the way to retirement:
It's home. Some of us have had the choice of minting it in Europe and chosen to come back. That you are used to living overseas doesn't make it home.
It's less stress. Mainly because the season is so much shorter, so a Super series coach can actually get a long holiday.
It'll come down to what their wives want in some cases, so we'll never know. Warren might be enjoying Europe, but is Trudi? Does being close to family over-ride money?
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It's about time we reflect on who from this years squad should stay and who should go. This is made harder this year by all the injuries.
OUT:
Apisai
Taramai
Kiri Kiri
Pryor only stays on as 3rd choice 7, so dev squad.
Nock
Gatland - OK backup, but gone to Highlanders
Kirkpatrick - filler
Hyland - too slow
Johnson - serious heart surgery
Moala - overseas -
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The definite selections for next year.
IN:
Hodgman
P. Manu - good for squad depth, good scrummager
Ofa
Scrafton - coming back from a serious knee injury though.
Cowley-Tuioti
Goodhue - finally started to hit his straps at this level. Good against Jaguares until concussed.
Tuipulotu - I see him as primarily a bench option though
Papali'i
Gibson
A. Ioane
Pulu - prefer him off the bench ...
Perofeta
Black
SBW
Leger - looks like a good prospect for the midfield
T. Manu - looks to have the ability at this level, be interesting where he plays for Auckland
R. Ioane
Clarke
DuffieThat's 19 players.
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@kiwimurph Ugh. Unfortunately it looks like it.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/08/blues-sign-hurricanes-hooker-leni-apisai-until-2019.html
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As discussed earlier in the thread i think Hooker is somewhere they need to find someone.
It is one of those positions that seem to be key to a good team.
9 is the other spot they need an upgrade. Pulu just isn't the answer.
Im afraid however that both Parsons and Pulu are cemented in while Tana is in charge.Other than those two positions the building blocks seem to be there to make a decent team. They just need a decent architect and builder.
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@kiwimurph
yeah i'm aware thus why i asked, its very likely that he might become a coach but Leon and Isa are a bit same except Isa has played in more positions and Leon has played in more international tests..they are both also known for their kicking game, so maybe Isa might join another franchise (hopefully the Highlanders who will need a kicking coach to develop new playmakers after Sopoaga leaves this month) -
@bones yeah his mistake was that he kept his NZ passport, he still has it and he never got around to getting a Fijian passport so basically he cannot stay in Ireland for much longer unless he gets a job there and i'm not sure Leinster are looking for a backline coach right now and also, Isa's family are all in NZ including his wife and kids so i don't see why he will stick around in Ireland unless he gets a major coaching gig which would allow him to move his whole family there, remember he "re-signed" with Leinster only for a season which dragged to 2 seasons s his visa has definitely run out..
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Brilliant news.
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Three players from the Blues and NZ U20s have been signed for the next two years. Congrats Harry Plummer, Taniela Tele’a and Hoskins Sotutu. -
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Fullback Michael Collins has re-signed with the Blues for 2019, believing that better days are just around the corner for the beleaguered franchise.
So confident is he, that he's prepared to stick around for
the long terma year...
