Blues 2019

[Chris]

@Tim Yes I do He's well rated at the Crusaders Maybe their replacement for Franks.If not The Blues should grab him hes very good for a young prop.Got some mongrel.

[KiwiMurph]

I think Lemalu has signed a new 2 year deal in England.

[Dice]

@nzzp said in Blues 2019:

@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

Maybe bring Tai Lavea in to have a hand with our backline in the future? He's pretty new to the pro ranks, so it might be a year too early for him, but the way he remolded that Auckland backline was pretty impressive. The backline was creative, skillful and very organized. I didn't think that was possible.

[African Monkey]

@Chris Are you serious? He's awful, thank fuck Auckland got rid of him.

[Chris]

@African-Monkey Yeah I am he's been good I hear with the Crusaders ( when he's gotten on the field and off it)and they Rate him not sure why he wasn't good with Auckland.Maybe the environment cause he has impressed in the Crusaders setup.

[taniwharugby]

@African-Monkey he grew as a player for NOrthland last year, scrummaging was poor at the start but got better as the season wore on and was a good ball carrier and defender.

[Nogusta]

@Tim

Cameron Suafoa is another

He played blindside last night and was one of the better performers. Waimana Reidlinger Kapa was very good at 8.
Suafoa is being courted by Canterbury and the Crusaders. They flying him down next week for a look around.

[African Monkey]

@Chris If he's impressed, then why do they prefer that Sumner journeyman George Bower ahead of him? Wouldn't they invest in him a bit more and have him ahead of guys like Bower at the very least and maybe even competing with Harry Allan for a look in at LH? Even with Franks gone next year he's still gonna be miles down the pecking order.

This more or less belongs in the Crusaders thread but oh well haha.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Do you know who else played for Auckland or Harbour?

[Chris]

@African-Monkey Yeah it does They Like Bower as he played both sides of the Scrum.I think they see potential in Isi enough for a contract I am not 100% sure.But don't be surprised if they keep him.

[Chris]

@Nogusta Do you Rate Suafoa he seems to be a big unit.

[cgrant]

And what about Taulani (Counties Steelers) ? He is a big unit too.

[Yeetyaah]

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

[KiwiMurph]

@Yeetyaah it's just typical Blues PR spin finding a way to put a positive spin on things

"if we say this shit player is returning home people might not be so angry"

[Nepia]

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2019:

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

Not a big one, he was essentially surpassed by Nankinvall.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah Christie hails from the Scottish part of Pukekohe.

Will he play for C-M too?

[Stargazer]

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2019:

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

I think because in the article on the Blues website, they refer to him as a "former St Kent's pivot".

[Tim]

Enough has happened in the last 10 months to believe Mackinnon is indeed proving to be a Mikhael Gorbachev figure ushering an era of Glasnost, with the most notable thawing being an agreement that Auckland's Mitre 10 Cup team can train at the Blues Alexandra Park headquarters this season.

[Stargazer]

Blues U18's (made up of 50 players from 16 different schools throughout the Blues region)

Tu'ukalikali Vaipulu - Aorere College
Viliame Vailea - Aorere College
Finau Halafihi - Auckland Grammar
Josh Fusitua - Auckland Grammar
Sosaia Moala - Auckland Grammar
Rylee Samuela - Auckland Grammar
Troy Hona - Bay of Islands
Jordan Hutchings - Dargaville
Kitiona Vai - DeLa Salle
Wallace Sititi - DeLaSalle
Sofai Maka - DeLaSalle
Theo Van Der Mei - Kaitaia
Ray Su'a - Kelston
Sam Howling - Kelston
Tuuaga Ioane - Kelston
Lenny Soseu - Kelston
Leandro Vakatini - Kings College
Levi Uluakiahoia - Kings College
Israel Utunuku - Kings College
James Brown - Kings College
Dayton Iobu - Kings College
Aidan Morgan - Kings College
Meihana Grindlay - Kings College
DJ (Dillon) Moon - MAGS
Quinton Nichols - MAGS
Rory Taylor - Rosmini
Peter Neli - Sacred Heart
Jadin Kingi - Sacred Heart
Jackson Wiggins - Sacred Heart
Corey Kellow - Sacred Heart
Sean Weir - Sacred Heart
Blake Makiri - Sacred Heart
Brian Lealiiafano - Sacred Heart
Scott Puni - St Kentigerns
Tiaan Tauakipulu - St Kentigerns
Alan Craig - St Kentigerns
Lopeti Faifua - St Kentigerns
Cam Church - St Kentigerns
Jona Matacewa - St Kentigerns
Naryan Strickland - St Peters College
Ajay Faleafaga - St Peters College
Semisi Tapa - St Peters College
Malipolo Manukia - St Peters College
Jericho Asi - St Peters College
Alfred Nonu - Tangaroa
David Toia-Hafoka - Westlake
Finau Paea - Westlake
Chlayton Frans - Westlake
Jordan Dwight - Whangarei
Javarne Porter - Whangarei

Games
Saturday 13th July vs Chiefs U18– St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton KO 12.30pm
Sunday 14th July vs Hurricanes U18 – Owen Delany Park, Taupo KO 1.30pm

[Tim]