Blues 2019
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@steven-harris I don't disagree.
He was a good signing at the time, and a bit of a marker that semi-decent players were willing to to the Blues. Largely, to be fair, to Tana. He didn't wind up getting anywhere near the heights he could have,
good luck to him,
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@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
@tim Pulu under delivered in his time at the Blues,unfortunately his weaknesses were exposed,always looking to see what the best option for Pulu was,no question he has that brilliant individual running game which can break open any defence..but to many other flaws for my liking.
I also believe Sam Nock is looking at a move to the Highlanders.
which will leaves Ruru,not sure where Tana goes from here,perhaps looking at Bryn Hall again might be an option..?,
Jack Stratton is a halfback I rate,One halfback who is dead keen to make his mark is Jono Kitto from Northland,I will watching his form with interest.I see the attraction from the Blues, but why would Hall want to leave Chch?
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@booboo said in Blues 2019:
I see the attraction from the Blues, but why would Hall want to leave Chch?
Bryn going to Chch shows what good coaching and a decent forward pack can do for a halfback.
Also, I can't see shit changing at the Blues this year. Fark the board
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@steven-harris ah thats interesting if Nock might be off, be interesting to see him in a better environment, seems a bit of a confidence player and had zero, in fact was in the negatives alot of times at the blues, although had one of his better games in his last outing IIRC.
Stratton is definitely one to watch!!
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@steven-harris He's always been a Northcote boy since his dad played there back in day. He only had 1 random year at Pakuranga as he wasn't sure where to go after school and Wayne Pivac convinced him to go there and then signed for North Harbour after that.
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@kiwimurph yep, neither Nock or Ruru did anything to challenge his position, even if he weren't captain.
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2019 unsigned Super Rugby halfbacks (as far as I know):
Jack Stratton, Jonathan Ruru, Sam Nock, Richard Judd, Jamie Booth, Josh Renton.
Leon Fukofuka had time with the Crusaders, but it was interrupted by injury.
Other possible options: Carlos Price, Lewis Gjaltema, Nico Costa, Pele Cowley, Harrison Levien, Jay Renton, Xavier Roe, Jono Kitto.
Fukofuka and Stratton might be the best of that lot.
As posted earlier, it wouldn't be surprising if Jonathan Taumateine (Counties, Chiefs) looks to exit his contract early to get more game time.
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@kiwimurph Jack Stratton played for Ta$man.
Ultimate Rugby claims that he is joining Harbour for this season. Probably bullshit though!
Jack Stratton
Stratton was called into the Crusaders squad for the 2015 pre-season games, as a short term replacement for Willie Heinz. Stratton has been a consistent performer for Canterbury in Mitre Cup, despite being unable to push his way into the Crusaders 2017…
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@tim Isn't Levien going to Harbour with Stratton going to Waikato?
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@african-monkey Yep, that sounds more like it. Levien played for Northcote, and I think that someone here posted about Stratton going to Waikato.
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Discussion of the Blues on Scotty Stevenson's Short Ball podcast today:
Big clean out at the Blues. Entire strength and conditioning team gone. Tony Hanks has done recruitment pretty much by himself in the past, Coventry/MacDonald won't be interested in that, expected to change a lot. According to Mils, Daniel Halangahu (Harbour's assistant coach) is being lined up for skills coach. Coventry doesn't tolerate any shit and might put a rocket up the forwards.
Stevenson claimed that both MacDonald and Coventry are on two yeqr contracts, but it was reported at his signing that MacDonald was on a three year deal.
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@tim havent heard alot of good about Hanks though.
They need to look higher than those support roles for people to kick out as well
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@taniwharugby I got the feeling from the podcast that Hanks is on his way out.
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@tim said in Blues 2019:
Big clean out at the Blues. Entire strength and conditioning team gone. Tony Hanks has done recruitment pretty much by himself in the past, Coventry/MacDonald won't be interested in that, expected to change a lot. According to Mils, Daniel Halangahu (Harbour's assistant coach) is being lined up for skills coach. Coventry doesn't tolerate any shit and might put a rocket up the forwards.
Stevenson claimed that both MacDonald and Coventry are on two yeqr contracts, but it was reported at his signing that MacDonald was on a three year deal.
MacDonald and Coventry getting more and more power and they are appointed for a longer period than the head coach. They should have been brave enough to make a clean split (unless its a stage managed departure..)
Also worth noting that if Halangahu comes in, the North Harbour coaching staff is essentially taking over. Which is a good thing, they earned the promotion. Coventry/Halangahu/Afeaki.
