Blues 2019

[trooa]

Should be hearing his intentions for next year soon now that their school season has been completed.

[KiwiMurph]

@trooa He's already played Blues U18 so he's on the Blues radar (as well he should be). Meanwhile Auckland's assistant coach Tai Lavea coached against him last year so should know all about him.

[Nogusta]

@kiwimurph Blues also had him in the U20s side in the matches earlier this year. First time they've ever picked a current schoolboy in the U20s team.

[KiwiMurph]

Blues Rugby

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Experienced Super Rugby player and coach, Daniel Halangahu will follow his North Harbour coach Tom Coventry to join the Blues for the next two years.

Halangahu will complete his third year as an assistant coach with North Harbour before joining the Blues as the specialist Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

[Tim]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

What's MacDonald's role then, attack coach? Or perhaps the real head coach?

[Duluth]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

What's MacDonald's role then, attack coach? Or perhaps the real head coach?

Yeah I think MacDonald was called attack coach at that press conference. So something like this?

Umaga - defence
Coventry - fowards
MacDonald - attack
Halangahu - backs
Afeaki - scrum

What's interesting is that Coventry has all his NH assistants joining him. That puts him in a powerful position when Umaga finally gets sacked opts for an exciting new challenge in world series rugby

[taniwharugby]

@duluth UMaga will probably take over from Redman!

[Bones]

@taniwharugby it would be the perfect time for him to join Mitchell and Jones wouldn't it?

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

[antipodean]

@bones said in Blues 2019:

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

Looking like a great 2019 comedy duo too.

[mariner4life]

@bones said in Blues 2019:

@taniwharugby it would be the perfect time for him to join Mitchell and Jones wouldn't it?

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

"which caused a nation of Englishmen to sigh "alas Mitchell & Jones""

[taniwharugby]

@mariner4life Eddie and John visit NZ could be a kids programme.

[Tim]

After the first round Fukofuka and Tumua Manu look like good options for the 2019 squad. Ruru does not. Would like to see more of Jono Kitto.

Thought Sione Mafileo had a good game.

[Tim]

Reminder that Umaga gave Matt Johnson a contract ahead of Matt Vaega.

[Steven Harris]

Hanks,how is he surviving ..?

[allblacksfan72]

@duluth alistair Rodgers is defence coach

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris good photos....

[KiwiMurph]

@allblacksfan72 said in Blues 2019:

@duluth alistair Rodgers is defence coach

He was. He's not next season.

Sport

None of Dave Ellis, Steve Jackson or Alistair Rogers re-applied for their jobs.

[Tim]

Harbour's Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a could be worth a look for backup 8 and 6. He's certainly got the size. Was in NZ U20, turns 22 in November.

[Canes]

Fotu Lokotui looks like a good player from Counties who could be a great backup 7

[Tim]

@canes Jed Brown and Billy Harmon are off contract at the Crusaders. Sione Havili is an option too.