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Blues 2019

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Blues 2019
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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    wrote on last edited by
    #641

    Coventry mentioned after the game yesterday that there's not going to be all that much change to the Blues squad as a lot of players are signed up to contracts already. Can't say I'm surprised.

    He did also talk about the opportunity new players might get in preseason on training contracts (whilst the ABs are on their summer break) so it will be interesting to see who is in the mix.

    number9N 1 Reply Last reply
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  • number9N Offline
    number9N Offline
    number9
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #642

    @kiwimurph The Blues players are playing well for their respective NPC Teams as well as the A.B's. Coventry has a wealth of talent in the Blues Squad and he has more than enough to work with. If he can;t get the forwards working with a good sound game plan then he needs replacing.

    S KiwiMurphK 2 Replies Last reply
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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    Steven Harris
    replied to number9 on last edited by Steven Harris
    #643

    @number9 said in Blues 2019:

    @kiwimurph The Blues players are playing well for their respective NPC Teams as well as the A.B's. Coventry has a wealth of talent in the Blues Squad and he has more than enough to work with. If he can;t get the forwards working with a good sound game plan then he needs replacing.

    Give the man a break..they have not even played a game yet,letโ€™s not for forget heโ€™s proven himself as the chiefs forward coach that won 2 titles in a row..was the same guy who tried to convince the Blues to take Karl Tu nukuafe ...I think we can trust him,unless you want Jackson back..!

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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #644

    Experience on the field, and quality at hooker will be the key issues for the Blues forwards next year.

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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to number9 on last edited by
    #645

    @number9 said in Blues 2019:

    @kiwimurph The Blues players are playing well for their respective NPC Teams as well as the A.B's. Coventry has a wealth of talent in the Blues Squad and he has more than enough to work with. If he can;t get the forwards working with a good sound game plan then he needs replacing.

    I generally agree but not entirely - hooker is a real issue.

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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #646

    Well, the NPC regular season is over, so it must be time for yet another of my "Will the Blues have a decent team next year? Well ... maybe." posts.

    Assuming Manu is signed, then there's three big holes to fill: hooker, halfback, and fullback. Nonu as backup centre?

    I'm still hoping for Stevenson, but I guess Trainor will be the other option. Still a bit small, IMO.

    Halfback is a fucking gamble.

    Hopefully that Waikato hooker is available and steps up. Over at Green and Gold Rugby they're saying that Abel isn't actually contracted to the Brumbies. Would be a nice signing - better than any of the 2018 Blues hookers. The Brumbies signed him until end of 2019 in 2017, but they do have three other hookers they've signed too.

    Olmsted and Whetton have been big finds, and Marcel Renata has really improved. Mafileo has been pretty good for Harbour. We need a third loosehead, as prop attrition rates are very high now.

    I think both Gibson and Papali'i have looked really good in the NPC. Backup number 8 is a big issue. Depth at 6 might be a question too.

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Tim on last edited by
    #647

    @tim 6 is where I reckon Matich would go best at super level, at a pinch 7, but not sure he is even on the Blues radar.

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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    wrote on last edited by
    #648

    Sotutu covers 8 as does Papali'i.

    Halfback Ruru should start.

    Fullback Duffie should start with Trainor pushing him. That prob won't happen though....

    Hooker yes is an issue. Hopefully some fresh blood there.

    TimT DuluthD 3 Replies Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #649

    @kiwimurph Yeah, I don't know about Ruru at super level. His passing doesn't seem good enough to be honest, even though he improved in the NPC. Also, he can be a bit slow at clearing kicks.

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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #650

    @kiwimurph Riedlinger-Kapa looks a good prospect at 6, but again is very young.

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  • DuluthD Offline
    DuluthD Offline
    Duluth
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #651

    @kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

    Sotutu covers 8 as does Papali'i.

    ..and Tupou

    taniwharugbyT TimT 2 Replies Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Duluth on last edited by
    #652

    @duluth am sure Taramai could too

    DuluthD TimT KiwiMurphK 3 Replies Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to Duluth on last edited by
    #653

    @duluth Ouch!

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • DuluthD Offline
    DuluthD Offline
    Duluth
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #654

    @taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

    @duluth am sure Taramai could too

    Hopefully he isn't signed?

    We know Tupou is signed

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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #655

    @taniwharugby Double ouch!

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  • DuluthD Offline
    DuluthD Offline
    Duluth
    wrote on last edited by
    #656

    At 6 it will be interesting to see who has been added

    Papalii should start at 6 (until Gibson is injured..)

    Olmstead? Umaga was looking at Robinson in the Northland v Waikato game. Maybe they both got contracts

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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #657

    @taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

    @duluth am sure Taramai could too

    not on the basis of the Battle of the Bridge....

    taniwharugbyT TimT 2 Replies Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #658

    @kiwimurph NPC means nothing!

    KiwiMurphK 1 Reply Last reply
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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #659

    @taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

    @kiwimurph NPC means nothing to Tana!

    Fixed

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #660

    @kiwimurph Pretty sure Duluth was being sarcastic. ๐Ÿ™‚

    KiwiMurphK 1 Reply Last reply
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