Blues 2019
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@stargazer said in Blues 2019:
@tim ... and will again this year.
Yep - will be playing for them on their November tour then taking up a French contract
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So far with 3 squads named the blues region has got away lightly only loosing Rayasi and Manu to other franchises, and probably Whetton to the Highlanders.
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Blues Rugby
The official home of the Blues rugby team. Buy tickets and merchandise, get the latest news, view results and go behind-the-scenes with our players.
Front row: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi,
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose forwards: Jed Brown, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou.
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru.
First-five: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer
Midfield: Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor
Out: Bryn Gatland (Highlanders), Jerome Kaino (Toulouse), Pauliasi Manu (Hino, Japan), George Moala (Clement Auvergne), Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Murphy Taramai, Dan Kirkpatrick, Matt Johnson.
In: (Karl Tu’inukuafe (Chiefs), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Blues Development – Auckland), Jacob Pierce (Blues Development – North Harbour), Ma’a Nonu (Toulon), Marcel Renata (Hurricanes), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues Development – Auckland), Harry Plummer (Blues Development – Auckland), Tanielu Tele’a (Blues Development – Auckland), Tom Robinson (Northland), Jed Brown ( Ta$man), Levi Aumua ( Ta$man).
Unavailable for selection: Tamati Tua (injury), Sione Havili (injury), Scott Gregory (Sevens/U20s).
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No Olmsted or Abel. Jacob Pierce was 4th choice at Harbour this year - incredibly lucky.
Don't rate Aumua at all. Losing Manu a massive blow. Talea not ready for this level.
Could've done with Rayasi. Collins a waste of space.
Problems at hooker, halfback, centre, and no clear choice at fullback. No backup 8 with any experience.
Not a good squad.
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Tu'inukuafe
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Parsons (more because of a lack of options)
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Tu'ungafasi
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Tuipulotu
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Goodhue
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Papali'i
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Gibson
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A Ioane
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Pulu (like Parsons a lack of options and a Tana favourite)
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Black
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R Ioane
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SBW
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Aumua
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Nanai (Will probably be Duffie)
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Anyone but Collins but it will be him
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Moulds
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Hodgman
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Mafileo/Renata
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Brown
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Robinson/Sotutu but will be Tupou
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Ruru
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Perofeta
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Nonu
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Only things I'm happy about are the props.
Really haven't improved over last year. Still no centre, no new kicking options in midfield or the back three from exits, no class at halfback, very average hookers. Ioane only decent centre option, which will leave wings lacking power.
Gutted for Olmstead. Pierce over Whetton ...
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@tim pretty good summary.
On the positive side I'm glad Trainor made it and i'm pleased with Lindenmuth and Renata.
Way too many average players - namely Apisai, Collins, Nock, Pulu, all 3 hookers.
Tana to get fired - hopefully Hanks and the CEO too. Squad cleanout to occur for next year.
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Best team they could put on the park:
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Tu'inukuafe
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Parsons
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Tu'ungafasi
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Tuipulotu
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Scrafton
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Papali'i
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Gibson
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A Ioane
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Pulu
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Black
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Clarke
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SBW
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R Ioane
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Nanai
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Trainor
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Moulds
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Hodgman
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Mafileo/Renata
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Goodhue/Cowley-Tuioti
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Robinson/Sotutu
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Ruru
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Perofeta
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Nonu
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