Blues 2019
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019:
I believe Olmstead's time with the Blues is up and he's moved back to Australia.
I see he's gone back to the Newcastle Falcons
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The Blues have a problem at centre and Rieko Ioane is not the solution
The Blues have three key players – Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu and TJ Faiane – who are all best suited to second five. Without a bonafide centre, the Blues have struggled to create space for their outsides.
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
@Yeetyaah Gladly. Anyone one else who has suddenly played poorly for the 2019 Chiefs you don't want? We'll take TTT and DMac too.
Just a (genuine) centre will do. Although TTT would be good,
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@antipodean Jordie?
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@Machpants more of a second five isn't he?
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Michael Collins to centre!
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These are some of the unsigned Super Rugby halfbacks for 2020:
Ere Enari
Bryn Hall
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Jonathan TaumateineNot sure if Folau Fakatava hasn't been re-signed by the Highlanders.
Blues have two NZ U20 trialist halfbacks in their colts team, Brad McNaughton and Taufa Funaki.
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Sounds like Matt Duffie will be available for the next game:
The imminent return from injury of outside back Matt Duffie may help MacDonald's options here as the coach prepares for a match against the Highlanders at Eden Park after this weekend's bye.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12211881
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As we all know, 2020 will be MacDonald's first season with his own squad, so lets start looking at possible changes, avoiding very young players unless necessary. I'm guessing that more experienced recruits would be preferred where possible. Also, it might be easier to nab a Chief than a Crusader ...
LH Prop
Good strength here, with Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe are returning next year, and Lindenmuth a hot prospect (can also play both sides) who will likely return too. What he and the next line of in-catchment players lack are the several years of Super Rugby to establish themselves as consistant scrummagers and technicians (i.e. mauling and maul defence).
Those contenders include: Lua Li, Jarred Adams, and Isi Tu'ungafasi. IIRC, Rob Cobb is primarily a tighthead. They're unlikely to look too far for a recruit, but a more experienced player like Aki Seiuli or Tim Perry might be tempting in the short term. Rueben O'Neill and Kane Hames are also off contract. Not very excited about any of that lot.
TH Prop
Here we lack depth, with just Ofa Tu'ungafasi an established Super Rugby player. Sione Mafileo has his moments, especially in the scrum, but can be inconsistent there and off the pace around the field. Renata has the ability around the field, but lacks experience at tight head, and needs those few seasons more.
Marco Fepulea'i is the only local player I'm enthusiastic about, with Rob Cobb coming through at junior level. Again, a lot of experience needs to be added to their resumes.
Siate Tokolahi is probably the only experienced player coming off contract.
Now the big one:
Hooker
Parsons is limited but worth keeping. He seems to be the only Super level hooker we have, and brings some much needed (but not winning) experience. Moulds never seems to put his hand up, and Apisai doesn't look up to it at this stage.
Abel and Sosene-Feagai both played well for Auckland, and Eklund and Olsen also look promising. The last two are inexperienced at this level, and there are questions over athletic ability.
Nathan Harris and Samisoni Taukei'aho are both off contract, and I think that Makalio and Funnell are too. Then there's Coltman. We should try for all of those names and Abel. Who would you prefer?
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@Tim IMO Olsen is a bit more dynamic than Moulds, but its like Olsen is to Moulds as Moulds is to Parsons...ran things well when he got his chances last year.
I like MOulds but something just doesnt add up...Parsons has all the penetration of a 5cm flacid, yet he keeps getting picked for huge minutes, Moulds we get told is a leader trains well blah blah blah, but sometimes cant even even get on the field!
