Blues 2020
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@Canes4life none of that really matters if the 9-10 axis is as pants as it has been since, well, fuckin ages ago
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@taniwharugby very true. Don’t think it will tbh.
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@taniwharugby That's why I don't understand the signing of Christie. He is so erratic and he doesn't have the physicality of Ruru, which - despite all the criticism of the player - has been one of Ruru's positive points.
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@Stargazer Yeah Christie is poor, the Canes would have been stoked to offload him.
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The only positive with Christie is MacDonald has worked with him before so he knows what he is getting.
Blues definitely need help at hooker - Parsons is like Collins where he is not good enough to be a starter.
Blues also need to use their squad more - you can't be playing your team into the ground like they did this year.
As for the 9-10 axis I think the best hope is Nock staying fit. He has by far the quickest service so will give whoever is 10 some time and space on the ball.
They could also help themselves a lot by improving their exit game (multiple kicking options anyone?) and their general discipline which has been bad for years - stop giving away cheap penalties!
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Interesting stat Of the 39 All Blacks selected this week, more than a quarter ran out for Auckland schools.
Even though the Blues is our most populated SR area Of the six uncapped players, four of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises are represented, with only the Blues failing to promote a new player into the squad. -
@Chris said in Blues 2020:
@KiwiMurph I still don't think you can turn shit to gold strange recruitment Christie.
Hooker,Lock,,First five and FB are the areas that need bolstering.The Blues look strong in the Propping, Loose Forward and Wing positions..Not so much if Ofa T leaves for the Crusaders. Depth in the TH position is a worry IMO.
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Stargazer reports that Jed Brown has signed with Kintetsu Liners in Japan. Hoping that opens up the backup openside spot for Adrian Choat.
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@Daffy-Jaffy I reckon Waimana Reidlinger Kapa will be on the books next year as a 6/8.
I think its time for Papalii to be our regular 7 with Blake Gibson as the bench option.
He (Papalii), would even be my choice for the captaincy.
He's going to be captain some day anyway.....why not now!? -
@Nogusta I thought Reidlinger Kapa may get Jimmy 'food bill' Tupou's spot next year. He has experience covering lock from the bench although is much more suited for 6/8. I prefer Papalii at 6 rather than 7, however they will likely still pick a 3rd 7 which is were I hope Choat gets a chance.
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@Jaguares4real F*ck off with your trolling. The Blues had a disappointing season but that's nothing to laugh about. And that clip belongs in the Blues 2019 thread, not this one.
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Getting this thread back on track....
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12248876
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https://blues.rugby/barrett-joins-for-4-years/
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett, has announced a new deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), which will see him stay in New Zealand through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Barrett also today confirmed that not only will he stay with NZR for a further four years, but he will move from the Hurricanes to the Blues to play in the Investec Super Rugby competition from 2020. 28-year-old Barrett has played 73 Tests for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2012 and 125 times for the Hurricanes since his Super Rugby debut in 2011. As part of his new contract, he will take an extended break away from the game at the end of 2019 and start with the Blues midway through next year’s Super season. He also has an option to take a short playing break in Japan some time over the next four years, with any break to be negotiated with NZR and the Blues. Barrett said he was stoked to finally make a decision and confirm his future with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues. “This is obviously a massive decision for me and my wife Hannah and we’re really looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. “The Hurricanes will always be a huge part of who I am. The Hurricanes environment and style of rugby they play has helped me become the player I am today, and I’ll be leaving some very good mates. “Wellington has been my rugby base for many years and university base for Hannah and we’ll always have fond memories of living there. Home for us now is Taranaki and Auckland and home and family are immensely important to both of us. “I’m also enthusiastic about the new challenge I’ll get with the Blues over the next four years. They’re a team on the rise, I like the way they play and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that. “While I’m looking forward to what the future holds, right now my focus is on the international season ahead with the All Blacks. NZR CEO Steve Tew said the significance of Barrett’s decision could not be underestimated. “We are absolutely delighted that Beauden has committed to four more years with New Zealand Rugby. He joins a strong core of experienced Test players who are now with us leading into the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “There is no doubting how important he is to the All Blacks and every team he plays for. As well as his on-field achievements, including back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year awards in 2016-2017, he has also amassed numerous records, including being fourth on the All Blacks Test points-scoring list. He is now a genuine leader in any team he plays and a strong contributor to our off-field responsibilities. “We all look forward to seeing him back in black for the international season and also wish him all the best with his move to the Blues next year.” All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen added: “It’s fantastic news for the All Blacks and obviously for the Blues as well and we congratulate Beaudy and his wife Hannah on his decision to stay in New Zealand. “He’s one of the best players in the world, a leader in our team and has been involved in numerous successful campaigns, from Rugby World Cups to Bledisloe Cups, and I believe he’s going to get even better. “Knowing he will be here through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup is massive for the All Blacks as they move into a new phase post-2019.” Barrett’s move to the Blues is arguably the most significant recent signing in Super Rugby and Blues Chief Executive Michael Redman said it was the result of a rebuilding of the club both on and off the field, a process that began some years ago and has accelerated in the last 12 months. “Signing a player of Beauden’s calibre has been years in the making,” Redman said. “While Beauden’s personal circumstances created this opportunity, changes we’ve made to our club in recent years meant for the first time the Blues were a credible option for him. The process has been long and complex, but we believe the outcome is the most influential player movement in Super Rugby history. Blues Head Coach Leon MacDonald said they were over the moon at the news that Barrett would be coming to Auckland. “It’s huge for our club. As well as getting a world-class player, our young first-fives will flourish with the opportunity to train and play alongside Beauden, and I am sure he will be an immediate fan favourite at Eden Park. “We are happy to work with Beauden and New Zealand Rugby on the options he has negotiated for an extended break at the end of the year and potential offshore playing opportunity. He has earned that right,” said MacDonald. Beauden Barrett – mini bio Blessed with devastating speed, a laser-like boot and smart game management, Beauden Barrett has been in electrifying form in recent seasons. World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, the 73-Test playmaker is fourth on the All Blacks all-time Test points-scoring list with 595 points (behind Grant Fox who is on 645 points). Barrett made his provincial debut for Taranaki in 2010 at 19 years old and his Investec Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in the following season. He quickly established himself as one of the Hurricanes’ key players and has set numerous records for the side, and also helped lead the team to its first Super Rugby title in 2016. He made his All Blacks Test debut in 2012 and after being initially used as an impact player off the bench, by 2014 he had made his first Test start. He went on to feature in six RWC 2015 matches, scoring 26 points, including a fantastic try in the Final. He captained the All Blacks against the Barbarians on the 2017 Northern Tour. His career in black also included a stint with the All Blacks Sevens as a teenager in 2010, and the 2011 New Zealand Under 20 side.
