Blues 2019
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Heard something interesting a few weeks ago on Scotty Stevenson's podcast, The Short Ball:
He stated that Steven Bates (a coach with the Blues and North Harbour) had been really enthusiastic about Karl Tu'inukuafe and really rated him highly, before this season started. Yet the Blues didn't even put him in their dev squad ...
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I assume they must have analysis of guys that have come through thier dev programmes and and gone on the full blues contracts (or elsewhere as well) be interesting to see how many have come throuhg they have genuinely lost (I hear the odd media commentator mention how they 'lost' Jack Goodhue, but from what I have heard, he was always going to Uni in Christchurch)
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
I assume they must have analysis of guys that have come through thier dev programmes and and gone on the full blues contracts (or elsewhere as well) be interesting to see how many have come throuhg they have genuinely lost (I hear the odd media commentator mention how they 'lost' Jack Goodhue, but from what I have heard, he was always going to Uni in Christchurch)
Yep, every team loses players - the Crusaders lost BBBR, that is bigger than any loss the Blues have had in recent times.
And yep, sometimes, like in Goodhue's case, players are just going for other reasons.
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@nepia @taniwharugby This situation was a little bit different. The Blues hired Tu’inukuafe's NPC scrum coach (Afeaki), needed props (they correctly did not retain loosehead Sam Prattley) meanwhile Tu’inukuafe wasn't even given a development squad spot.....such a Blues outcome.
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I thought it was interesting about the Mitre 10 Cup coaches involvement. A good sign for sure.
The best teenage rugby talent in the region will attend the annual Blues Under-18 Camp over the July school holidays. Fifty players from 21 schools have been selected from 230 nominations put forward from schools in the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland rugby regions. They will go into camp at Mt Albert Grammar from Sunday 8 to Thursday 12 July before fielding two teams to take on the Hurricanes at Owen Delany Park in Taupo on Sunday 15 July. The players will receive tuition from all the Mitre-10 coaches in the region including Derren Witcombe and George Konia (Northland); Tom Coventry and Dan Halangahu (North Harbour); and Alama Ieremia, Filo Tiatia and Tai Lavea (Auckland). Current Blues players including Jerome Kaino, Sonny Bill Williams, Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Scrafton, Dalton Papalii and Otere Black will also present at the camp. -
2019 Squad breakdown: Hooker
Parsons' form really dropped off after the Blues miserable performance against the Chiefs at Eden Park. This is a position they really need an improvement in.
Leni Apisai was signed for 2018 and 2019, and apparently Matt Moulds is signed up for next year too. Unless Apisai is de-listed then just one more hooker is needed. Moulds looks to be the front runner, but his lineout throwing, and possibly scrummaging, needs to improve. Parsons "passion" has really dropped off, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go after the NPC.
It's pretty clear that there aren't many top quality players off contract this year, and big changes at the Blues are unlikely until a new coach is signed for 2020 (combined with plenty of player turnover post World Cup). Possible signings include:
James Parsons, Ross Wright, Kurt Eklund, Nathan Vella, Liam Polwart, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Steven Misa, Samisoni Taukei'aho, James O'Reilly.
Polwart might be the best prospect for 2019 there. Hard to be optimistic about Apisai. It might come down to who in the Blues catchment area plays best in the NPC, or a player from a team like Manawatu showing surprisingly good form.
How long is Asafo Aumua contracted for?
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@tim at the start of the season Jordan Olsen, the Northland back-up rake was in Blues dev side and played in the 10s I think, is a mobile 2 as I think he (like Moulds) was a former loosie.
I've never had issues with Moulds scrummaging, lineout has always been an issue.
If Wright can keep his form up this year, he is a good shot at a utility given he can play prop and hooker.
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There's also a bunch of CM players that can't squeeze into the Chiefs that may be looked at.
Viliame Rarasea has matured into a good powerful lock.
Not sure how long the Canes signed Sam Henwood for but he has proven his ability at this level. Same goes for Tuiloma at the Highlanders.
Another that may have itchy feet is Jonathan Taumateine who is sitting with the dirty dirties at the Chiefs without much prospect when Weber and TTT are there. -
@crucial said in Blues 2019:
There's also a bunch of CM players that can't squeeze into the Chiefs that may be looked at.
Viliame Rarasea has matured into a good powerful lock.
Not sure how long the Canes signed Sam Henwood for but he has proven his ability at this level. Same goes for Tuiloma at the Highlanders.
Another that may have itchy feet is Jonathan Taumateine who is sitting with the dirty dirties at the Chiefs without much prospect when Weber and TTT are there.Tana has brought across enough crap CM players thanks.
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@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at Rarasea -
@crucial said in Blues 2019:
Taumateine (NZ U20 2016) is an interesting case, as he signed for 2019 too, but hasn't had almost any game time this year, after getting plenty before. I wonder if he will seek a release from his contract?
Sam Henwood is signed with the Hurricanes for next year too.
Murray Douglas only signed with them for one year. He might be an option for 6 depth.
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@steven-harris I played a lot with Vaai through our school years. Always a talent but he's always had his fair share of injuries too which have unfortunately delayed his progress over the years. If he stays injury free he could progress to the next level.
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@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at RaraseaSaw Lokotui in a couple of games last year and, yes he did look good.
Obviously Chiefs have inside running on these guys but given the current strength of Taranaki many of the CM players have substantial roadblocks even getting into the development squad, The Umaga connection up the road and the proximity of home to training makes the Blues an option.
Edit: 2017 Chiefs dev squad contained Martin, Vaai, Lokotui, Rarasea, Taumateine, Leger, and Tuiloma.
Martin and Leger have played for Blues, Tuiloma now with Highlanders. -
@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at Rarasea -
@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
Fotu Lokotui
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Rugby washout for Mahu multi-clash
Participating players included Jerome Kaino and Bryn Gatland. Graham Henry and Warren Gatland watched from the sidelines.
Hopefully he was there for more than just watching his son play.
