Blues 2019

[antipodean]

That's a good thing - Leon's building the squad he wants.

[Tim]

Jeez I hope Nock plays with some confidence next year. Finally stopped looking like he was afraid of the ball.

[gt12]

So Panafol’s plan is to sign as many Mako’s as he can? That sounds like the solution 🧐

What an uninspiring selection - he’s youngish, so I hope he proves me wrong.

[KiwiMurph]

Blues high performance general manager, Tony Hanks is pleased with the signing.

Well that's a sigh of relief......

So that confirms Ruru is staying as well.

Great.....

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:

Finlay Christie

On the plus side we've doubled our quota of angry/crazy gingers!

[taniwharugby]

“Finlay will complement both Sam and Jonathan and give us three quality halfbacks all with different styles and different strengths. This will allow us to select a halfback that best fits the game plan each week.”

Horses for courses sounds great in theory, but ideally you want the 8-9-10 axis to develop as a combination so they work smoothly together rather than play Sam this week, Finlay next, then Ruru...

[Tim]

So at this stage it looks like we know 22 of players signed to the Blues for 2020.

Alex Hodgman
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione Mafileo

James Parsons
Ray Nuia

Patrick Tuipulotu

Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu

Sam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan Ruru

Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta

TJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’a

Rieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke

[Tim]

I'd say we can be fairly confident that Lindenmuth, Goodhue, and Cowley-Tuioti will be returning, which leaves the Blues needing to sign:

One tighthead prop
One hooker
Two locks
Two loose forwards
Three midfielders
Two wings
Two fullbacks (If Perofeta plays fullback, then maybe one fullback and one first five)

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Two fullbacks (If Perofeta plays fullback, then maybe one fullback and one first five)

Why stop at 4 first fives? why not five? Then we can have a number five first five wearing ten.

[Tim]

@nzzp Well the Herald seems to think that they're pursuing a more experienced fullback for next year, and Hayden Parker would be a decent squad member (and goal kicking coach?) if Perofeta is primarily used as a fullback.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim Tua and Johnson should be at least on the radar for midfield, Tua is also quick enough for wing Jordan Olsen an option at hooker if he has s big season in M10.

Debreczeni was only signed for 1 year with Chiefs too.

Matich was certainly good enough in his time on the park too.

[Nogusta]

@taniwharugby Tumua Manu was only on a 1year at Chiefs?
I'm hearing he's keen to return to the Blues

[Tim]

@Nogusta Nice.

[Nogusta]

@Tim how about Tima Fainganuku for one of the wing spots? He was first choice winger in the victorious 2017 U20s, big and fast....surprised he missed out on a Super contract last year, I think he's sure to be picked up for next year

[Tim]

@Nogusta Yeah, I was thinking of him. Looked great for that U20 team, be interesting to see how he goes in the NPC.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Tele'a could continue his development as a wing and sometimes midfielder next year.....Manu and Faiane can resume their winning combo at Super level.
Heard that Rieko is serious though about a move to centre post WC and has told the Blues as much so that would make things interesting.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Interesting stuff. I'd like to see us pick up a good kicking option on the wing too, especially if the player is also good in the air.

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

@Nogusta Interesting stuff. I'd like to see us pick up a good kicking option on the wing too, especially if the player is also good in the air.

I know this is the Blues thread, but by god the Aucklanders kicked well last year. Kickers all over the backline and very effective at it. Blues could learn from that

[Chris]

Fukin Hell Christie is the answer at HB for the Blues I thought McDonald had more nous.If Nock gets injured take your Pick First Five you can play outside Christie or Ruru geeeeez

[Dice]

Peter Umaga-Jensen is one we could maybe target(I think he's off contract?). He's got plenty to learn about midfield defense, but he's young and has plenty of upside. What really appeals to me about him is the fact he can play fullback too - I remember him looking quite good there for Wellington a couple of years ago.