Blues 2020
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@Tim you would hope the Blues are future proofing some over their young talent moving forward..I would hope that he’s contracted in the same way say for example Hoskins Sotutu and Caleb Clark were..hearing a few whispers that SBW might be sticking around for another season..he’s quite settled in Auckland at the minute.
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@Steven-Harris Stratton was in the 2018 Crusaders squad as injury cover for Enari (and IIRC in the 2017 Crusaders WTG). He played only one game (14 minutes). You'd think if they thought he was good enough, he would have gotten more game time, like the Saders always do with their 3rd stringers, instead of letting Hall and Drummond play 18 and 19 games, respectively?
I'm not sure Stratton has already proven that he's up to SR level.
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@Steven-Harris Do Blues fans want SBW to stay another year?
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@Stargazer Stratton was Smith's injury replacement at the Highlanders this year. Coaches have different opinions on players (I don't rate Drummond that highly
) but he (Stratton) played very well against the Lions for the Provincial Barbarians. Just needs a chance. -
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
@Bones said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
@Bones said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
@Rancid-Schnitzel from that video? Is she well known in nz then?
It's his girlfriend isn't it?
Hah, so that's why it's hard not to like her?
I just thought she came across ok in that little skit. Could be wrong, but she didn't appear to be one of those Instagram obsessed tart WAGs.
Oh. I thought it was doctored footage and other than that she just said umm.
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
@Stargazer Stratton was Smith's injury replacement at the Highlanders this year. Coaches have different opinions on players (I don't rate Drummond that highly
) but he (Stratton) played very well against the Lions for the Provincial Barbarians. Just needs a chance.He might get a chance. He's apparently in that pool of players they pick from in case injury strikes, but aren't first or second choice. If no obviously better players emerge from M10 Cup, he may get a contract. Or sooner, if the Canes are getting nervous about filling their empty spots.
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@Stargazer the only real concern with SBW ,are his injuries starting to impede him moving forward..?,gladly have a fit SBW but it’s concerning how much he’s been sidelined over the last 2 seasons ..given the Blues only have TJ Faiane and Tanielu Telea signed as midfielders thus far for 2020 you would want a fit SBW around ..the pickings in the Blues franchise unions are pretty slim..Northland have Tamati Tua and Matt Johnson ,both have had time in the Blues, but both would need stellar Mitre 10 Cups to get a look in.I can’t even remember who the harbour midfielders were..Harrison Groundwater and somebody else, and from what I recall of 2018 Mitre 10 Cup, it was an area of weakness for the Harbour lads..
Gotta say I found the guy Amua from Ta$man underwhelming, looked more like a prop than a centre...
That’s an area of real interest to me..or do we, dare I say say it convert a certain left wing into centre..?
I know Johnson was selected for the Blues a few seasons back, but had ticker issues..very balanced midfielder with size, around 6 feet 100kgs -
@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
Hoping Stephen Perofeta is fit at the top of the season or should I say is still contracted to the Blues..after watching Otere Black run around for the NZ Māori it only confirmed to me what I always thought of Black no more than a top end Mitre 10 Cup player..and I can’t help think he was an understudy to Barrett at the Canes for a reason , hard to believe he was even in the ABs conversation when D-Mac was injured earlier in the super rugby season ..
Personally I would cut him from the Blues.
One thing Perofeta has got going for him, he does play fullbackI agree. I don't think Black will improve much
I think Plummer, Perofeta and Black are all contracted for next year. Black will be useful injury cover in the first half of the season before BB arrives.
Perofeta should be the starting fullback, giving us a kicking option at the back. Something we really missed this year.
Plummer needs a longer apprenticeship. His error rate is too high at the moment. But I would like to see him used a lot from the bench covering 10/12
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@Duluth agree about Plummer,I know I have been a little hard on the kid, but he is courageous especially when it comes to contact and he decides to run..just need those kicking averages improved.
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@Steven-Harris Tomas Aoake has shifted to Harbour from Ta$man, where he'll play centre. They also have the other Manu from College Rifles. Looked very raw to me last year though.
Tumua Manu is big target for me.
Tai Lavea sounded excited about Auckland's midfielders for this season. Maybe Pauly Roache will be one?
Be very interested in how Orbyn Leger goes in the NPC.
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett has signed:
That’s an area of real interest to me..or do we, dare I say say it convert a certain left wing into centre..?
I think it's worth a look (13, not 12!)
He needs to touch the ball more.
If Tele'a has a big NPC it might not be needed though
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@Steven-Harris My worry with SBW is that he's turning 34 this year. That may only make him more vulnerable to injury.
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@Stargazer I definitely have the same concern, not just about a possible extended stay with the Blues but also this year’s RWC..hope Hansen and co are not being blinded..!
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Dane Coles reveals 'ruthless banter' in All Blacks camp after Beauden Barrett's Blues announcement
Dane Coles says he's back on speaking terms with Beauden Barrett, after the star All Black playmaker quit the Hurricanes for the Blues.
