Blues 2019
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@steven-harris if you count Tupou as the fifth lock with Pat T, Cowley-T, Scrafton and Goodhue , then there should be still 3 loosie positions open after Papalii, Akira, Gibson and Sotutu. Unless they already re-signed Taramai and/or Pryer and Preston?(god forbid). That would also mean no Whetton who was outstanding until injured.
For me I thought the Auckland players they needed to pick up quickly were Able, Ormstead, Whetton, Renata, Manu, and Rayasi. Scarily there are rumors of Whetton, Rayasi and Renata to the Canes and Manu to the Chiefs. That would leave us with not as good players and once again no depth once injuries strike. Its a worry. -
@daffy-jaffy Coventry did mention there weren't many spots available
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@kiwimurph sadly most teams have so few spots available come the end of NPC, a number often filled by kids who have yet to prove themselves, cant see this changing anytime soon though.
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@daffy-jaffy would be really surprised if Pryor has been re signed ,talk around Northland he’s heading oversees.,on Preston,is he on a 2 year deal..?
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Is any of that really surprising though?
The only bit that was a surprise (although thinking about it and the boys club fraternity in NZ rugby, it shouldnt be) was about getting the job without an interview.
I spoke to Bryce Woodward about 4 years ago and he had the opposite experience with the roles he applied for at NZR, in that he had to be spot on with his interviews, details perfect, plans and have confident answers to all questions...
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@higgins said in Blues 2019:
I am not sure what the answer to locking into the latest current "hotshot schoolboy star" to prevent others latching their mits onto him. If they kid is not ready to put in a full shift at the next level frankly they should not be rewarded for that. We are blessed in NZ with an almost never ending supply of "hotshot schoolboy stars" emerging virtually every year. You might "miss" one one year but there will almost inevitably be another emerge in the not too distant future. Should you sign up a guy to a contract for two or three years you will night have trouble finding a spot for the next up and comer simply because there is nothing to offer them contract wise. They won't hang around waiting and will inevitably take any offer made to them by other NZ Super Teams. Almost a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation if you lose a guy that turns out to be a superstar elsewhere and face the scorn of your supporters for passing on that player. If only we had the ability to see into the future?
Whilst I essentially agree you're not just cvompeting against the other NZ Super teams you're up against NRL clubs too.
But then again it's only so many maby they can sign.
But conversely again they have a strong, fibancial Under 20s programme.
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Posted in another thread:
@steven-harris said in semi final v Waikato:
A good piece of news handed to me this morning however is that Tom Robinson has been signed by the Blues which is great reward for a guy who had some really bad luck with injuries.
Good news
Robinson and Tupou are apparently signed. Also there was an article earlier in the week seemed to suggest Olmstead was signed too.
They all seem to fit a similar role at SR level. I'll be surprised if all 3 are in the same squadMaybe Tupou isn't coming back?
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