Blues 2019
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Now that Harris and Coltman are off the market, the following are still available:
Abel (Rebels)
Sosene-Feagai (Blues dev, Auckland)
Eklund (still playing?)
Tolai (Blues dev, Harbour)
Olsen (Northland)
Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
Makalio (Crusaders)
Funnell (Crusaders)
Pleasants-Tate (ehhhh, Southland)Not interested in:
Niuia
O'ReillyAny NPC players worth looking at? Will Apisai develop further?
Probably the three most promising are Abel, Taukei'aho, and Makalio. Either of Abel or Makalio starting, with Taukei'aho off the bench.
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@Tim has Riccitelli been snapped up?
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@Canes4life Yeah, all three Hurricanes hookers will be back next year.
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Midfield is also going to be an issue next season. Faiane, Tele'a, and Ioane are the signed centre options, with Faiane and Plummer covering 12. I guess that Clarke may be able to play 13 too.
Who's available next year?
Tumua Manu (Chiefs)
Bailyn Sullivan (Chiefs)
Orbyn Leger (Chiefs)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs dev, Waikato)
Jack Goodhue (dreaming, Crusaders)
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
Rob Thompson (Highlanders)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders)
Jonah Lowe (Hurricanes)
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Michael Little (probably on too much cash in Japan)
Thomas Aoake (Blues dev, Ta$man)
Tamati Tua (Northland, former Blues)
Scott Gregory (Northland, Blues dev)
Blake Hohaia (Northland)
Harrison Groundwater (Harbour)
Loketi Manu (Harbour)Of the realistic options, Manu would be first choice. Would love to get Little to share 12 with Faiane, and Ennor to play at 13. Leger is still promising at 12. Scott Gregory is likely to be the U20 player that gets signed?
There's going to be a lot of promising midfield backs on display in the NPC. Matt Johnson might be up at Northland too. Really looking forward to that competition. Anyone know who's likely to play for Ta$man?
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@Tim You need to let go of Little, Tim haha.
I'd love Tupaea here, but apparently he didn't want to come here. He'll likely be with the Chiefs next year.
Wouldn't be surprised if Manu still has a year left with the Chiefs. It'd be nice if we could get that Faiane-Manu combo next year though.
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@Tim we might have a good chance of signing Manu with the Chiefs needing to find a spot for Quin Tupaea.
Scott Gregory is a must. He has massive potential and looked really good for Northland last year.
I’m looking forward to seeing Tomas Aoake play for Harbour this year, hopefully he has a good season and can get selected for the Blues. He can cover center, wing and fullback which will be good value for us.
Could Nonu go again in 2020?? -
@shack pretty sure Scott Gregory will be signed for next year unless he sticks with 7s? Covers midfield and back 3 if needed. Blues are big on him. Has come right through their development programme right from U16s so should be a priority signing for them. Agree re Aoake.
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James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles. Parsons also makes the fewest tackles of New Zealand’s hookers – and is shrugged off by opposition more often. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but is fairly ineffective at what he does. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.
All Blacks Watch - How are New Zealand's hookers faring in Super Rugby?
We're now past the half-way point in Super Rugby and the All Blacks selectors will be slowly inking in their initial squad for the Rugby Championship. How are New Zealand's hooking incumbents performing, and could anyone still force their way into selection?
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything **but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game**. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – **but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles.** **Parsons also makes the fewest tackles** of New Zealand’s hookers – **and is shrugged off by opposition more often**. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. **Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming**. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but **is fairly ineffective at what he does**. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.Why the fuck did we resign him??
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@shack I ain't even a Blues fan and i'm disappointed that the Blues re-signed him. He has reached is ceiling and won't be getting any better i'm afraid - should go after Keruru-Symes & Abel moving forward.
It's annoying because like the Hurricanes experience with Coles in regards to their game going up a notch or two when they get him back into the side - I feel the same would happen if the Blues signed a better hooker, it's probably the polish they need to make the playoffs.
It's a shame the coaches can't see the obvious.
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@shack said in Blues 2019:
@Tim said in Blues 2019:
James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything **but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game**. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – **but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles.** **Parsons also makes the fewest tackles** of New Zealand’s hookers – **and is shrugged off by opposition more often**. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. **Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming**. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but **is fairly ineffective at what he does**. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.Why the fuck did we resign him??
I'm ok with having him in the squad. An old dog setting standards and guiding younger blokes is sweet as. There problem is he's playing as our number one, two and three hooker.
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@nzzp fair call. You can't really call Apisai quality can yah.
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp fair call. You can't really call Apisai quality can yah.
A lot is going to ride on Leon's ability to get some players that he wants, and that are good or can become good. Right now it's a poorly selected squad that he's inherited
