Blues 2019
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“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...
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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 MafileoJames Parsons
Ray NuiaPatrick Tuipulotu
Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins SotutuSam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan RuruOtere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen PerofetaTJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’aRieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke -
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) -
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@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.
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@taniwharugby Tumua Manu was only on a 1year at Chiefs?
I'm hearing he's keen to return to the Blues -
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@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. -
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@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
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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.
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Looking at some of the forward options, I'd assume that Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa will take one of the loose forward or lock positions. Is Olmstead still available? The other position is probably down to Havili or Choat?
Should be some decent competition for tighthead. Really interested to see Marco Fepulea'i compete with Renata in the NPC this year. Is Rob Cobb an option at tighthead, or is he more of a loosehead? What side does Isi Tu'ungafasi play? Siate Tokolahi might be available.
Unsigned locks include:
Josh Dickson
Pari Pari Parkinson
Jack Whetton
Jacob Pierce
Laghlan McWhannellCaird and Tucker were in the dev squad? Cameron Suafoa is another. Is Lemalu a possibility? There's also John Akau'ola-Laula down at Ta$man.
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