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Blues 2019

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Blues 2019
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  • DiceD Offline
    DiceD Offline
    Dice
    replied to Daffy Jaffy on last edited by
    #1772

    @Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:

    @Tim That would be nice but doubtful. Also maybe Whetton might be looking for more game time?

    I could see Whetton coming back up. I'd be happy with him as a signing.

    Another option is maybe playing Tom Robinson at lock at times next year, then just roll out Akira, Gibson and Papali'i in the backrow. That would get all our best talent on the field at once.

    Even starting Robinson at 6, then letting him finish the last 20 or so minutes at lock should be seen as an option going forward. Surprised it hasn't been tried even once this year.

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Dice on last edited by taniwharugby
    #1773

    @Dice given he has played the bulk of his M10 Cup rugby at lock (IIRC only very small minutes at 6) you'd have thought they would have seen him there (assume he was probably even signed as a lock who can play 6?) or at least an option there.

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  • N Offline
    N Offline
    Nogusta
    wrote on last edited by
    #1774

    The future All Blacks that could turn the inconsistent Blues from mediocre to genuine playoff contenders

    The future All Blacks that could turn the inconsistent Blues from mediocre to genuine playoff contenders

    If MacDonald is looking to make amends for in his bid to get the Blues back into the realm of Super Rugby title contenders, then these personnel changes within his squad could very well be the remedy he needs.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    wrote on last edited by KiwiMurph
    #1775

    Kurt Eklund sighting.

    TimT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • Y Offline
    Y Offline
    Yeahtheboys
    wrote on last edited by
    #1776

    Emoni Narawa starting interesting and is that asaeli tikoirotuma? The former chief?

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #1777

    Is Caird playing for Northland this year?

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by
    #1778

    @KiwiMurph Is "S Vikena" Soane Vikena from last year's NZ Schools team?

    KiwiMurphK 1 Reply Last reply
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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to Tim on last edited by KiwiMurph
    #1779

    @Tim I'd say almost certainly yes - he played for Blues U20s earlier this year (as did quite a few of this Blues A team)

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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Tim on last edited by taniwharugby
    #1780

    @Tim yes.

    Good Tua finally having a run too, been missing in club footy.

    Northland having a trial of sorts on Saturday so shame a few out in this fixture...although obviously good for them.

    nzzpN 1 Reply Last reply
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  • nzzpN Offline
    nzzpN Offline
    nzzp
    replied to taniwharugby on last edited by
    #1781

    @taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

    Northland having a trial of sorts on Saturday so shame a few out in this fixture...although obviously good for them.

    where is it? I may be in Whangarei and pop along for a look

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to nzzp on last edited by
    #1782

    @nzzp 1230 at Hora Hora on Saturday, team sheets in taniwha forum, although they included some players named here.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • DiceD Offline
    DiceD Offline
    Dice
    wrote on last edited by
    #1783

    @KiwiMurph Team looks weaker than I thought it'd be.

    Seems like many of the Auckland guys weren't considered for the game, probably because of the short turnaround from Monday.

    Patrick's little bro on the bench - he was part of the champion St Peters team last year. Also, Eric Rush's son at 6. Quite a few rugby connections in that team.

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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    shack
    wrote on last edited by
    #1784

    Is there a team list for that game?

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #1785

    One player definitely leaving is lock Scott Scrafton, who has signed with the Hurricanes. Scrafton has been a good performer for the Blues over the last three years and recently returned from a serious knee injury.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12236630

    boobooB S 2 Replies Last reply
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  • boobooB Offline
    boobooB Offline
    booboo
    replied to Tim on last edited by
    #1786

    @Tim "Premium Content". Us plebs can't access. But the headline is not exactly surprising.

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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    Steven Harris
    replied to Tim on last edited by Steven Harris
    #1787

    @Tim with most of the better midfielders locked in at other franchises ,looks like we are looking heavily towards the Mitre 10 Cup or possibly offshore to fill vacancies ..
    I just suspect with the Blues they don’t always look to select a player that fits the needs of what is required ,it’s been a while since we have had a real thinking midfielder, we had one in Micheal Little but we were too quick to offload him and once given a chance in Sunwolves colours you just got to see how good this guy is..little is the sort of player I believe would enhance a player like Tumua Manua if he returned to the Blues because of his creative ability
    Nonu and Faiane have been solid but to me at times lacked real creativity which showed up in a couple of games.
    Nonu is always at his best either on off the top lineout ball or very quick ball with time something our forwards don’t always supply..

    I really think given the options they don’t have I would be working overtime to keep one of the 2 ,more likely Nonu, I have got plenty of time for SBW who incidentally will be available for selection against the Reds this weekend..I just think with SBW if injuries are starting to bite..
    But if we can’t one the other will do ,still think we are gonna need experience.

    Wearing my Northland hat, I was up watching the Northland trials in Whangarei on Saturday it was great to see both Matt Johnson and Tamati Tua oppose each other ;I thought Johnson looked very solid and I was impressed Tua, looked like he’s bulked a bit and looked very solid, defensively he looked after Johnson very well...
    Given that both have been with the Blues before,I will watching their Mitre 10 Cup form with great interest

    If the rumours of Scott Gregory heading to the Highlanders are to be believed ,that’s a bit of blow in my opinion he would have been a great utility option who can also play wing..has a great left foot as well something we lack in the Blues especially when it comes to red zone exits.

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  • Salacious CrumbS Offline
    Salacious CrumbS Offline
    Salacious Crumb
    wrote on last edited by
    #1788

    S 1 Reply Last reply
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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    Steven Harris
    replied to Salacious Crumb on last edited by
    #1789

    @Salacious-Crumb Got admit,I can’t say he’s been one of my favourites over the years, but that was pretty cool especially becoming a vegetarian to support his son..some things are bigger than sport.!

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • nzzpN Offline
    nzzpN Offline
    nzzp
    wrote on last edited by
    #1790

    Well, shit. Just looked at the table. We're 5-1-9, and third to last. On paper, we haven't made a real change from last year.

    That said, we split the series with the Landers and Chiefs, whcih is heartening. Just frustrating to continue to shit the bed whenever we look like we could be going somewhere.

    Tough life as a Blues fan. Some real improvements, but a damn tough comp to build in.

    K 1 Reply Last reply
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  • K Offline
    K Offline
    kev
    replied to nzzp on last edited by
    #1791

    @nzzp I think you have to be realistic and say the Blues have made no progress. At times they have looked much better but the table is the real answer.

    S nzzpN 2 Replies Last reply
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