Blues 2019

[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.

[Canes]

Also, would definitly try to sign at least one of the Faingaanuku brothers

[Canes]

@tim Very true, Sione Havili is a young, talented local with no connection to any other franchise so could be a smart signing

[Canes]

Players like, Murphy Taramai, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Alex Hodgman, Dalton Papali'i, Orbyn Leger and Tumua Manu are lowkey players with a huge amount of potential, just need to continue developoing them

[Tim]

@canes Agree on all those except the first. Taramai is just too small at Super Rugby level. He falls off tackles constantly, and can't out pressure on at the ruck. Handy NPC player though.

Scrafton's recovery from injury will be a key. Would be great to see Goodhue's form demand selection.

[Canes]

@tim Agreed, Scrafton and Goodhue could become vital cogs in the pack (both play similar to a lite version of Retallick orWhitelock). Could even snag Sevu Reece

[Tim]

@canes I'm hoping we pick up Shaun Stevenson. We need to improve our exits, and he's a good kicking option. Much better than Collins.

[taniwharugby]

@tim I think Goodhue was just starting to look really comfortable at Super level when he took his head knock.

Expecting a big M10 Cup from him, Tom Robinson is another to keep an eye on too, although needs a farking haircut!

[Gunner]

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

Tom Robinson is another to keep an eye on too, although needs a farking haircut!

Trying to get noticed perhaps? People always remember a hair do like that....

[Tim]

@gunner Copying Dan Pryor?

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Yeah, I was gutted when he went off during that game against the Jaguares, as he was having a blinder, especially on defence.

[taniwharugby]

@gunner he's a red head, he doesn't need much help there!

[Tim]

So there's one certainty in the midfield next year - SBW will start at 12 when fit. Who will partner him at 13, and who will be the combination when he's unavailable?

Probably want someone with distribution skills, and pace to take the outside break, when he's playing. Whereas when he's out you'll want the best combination of a power player and a distributor, whatever position they are in.

[KiwiMurph]

@tim Tumua Manu has a good opportunity by playing 13 for Auckland. He started his Mitre 10 Cup season very well last week. Be interesting to see how he goes today.