Blues 2020

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

Been thinking about that extra lock option from outside the Blues catchment area...I do wonder if they have snared a big fish..would love to know the status of Paripari Parkinson ...?.i would imagine he has crossed paths with head coach Leon MacDonald...and I have not seen any confirmation of Parkinson returning to the Landers..
That would be a great signing...
Others options
James Tucker...I do like this guys workrate..reminds me of James Blackwell..
Geoff Cridge not wanted by the Canes.
Sam Caird...would need another several Kgs..
Jack Whetton...?
Josh Goodhue.. I do wonder if he has taken one knock to the head to many..
Any others ...?

I hope we are chasing Parkinson

The signing is not a big fish. A good hard worker though

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth I think Parkinson would be right up there as forward signing...If you took out the locks were taken to the RWC , I reckon he’s close to next cab off the rack ..he’s a very big man, and a great line out option, he’s an All Black in waiting in my book, and like you say he has a great work rate , to me that puts him in the big fish category..

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris

Any idea on the fitness of Josh Goodhue?

Tuipulotu, GCT, Wardlaw are confirmed.

Pierce is very likely as Coventry seemed to pick him as a long term option last season and he followed that with a good NPC.

Pretty sure another lock has signed

Robinson can cover lock too..

It's hard to a space for Goodhue?

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth not too sure on the fitness of Goodhue , but his constant head knocks and the fact he picks up injuries are a real concern..I do like the look of Jacob Pierce..looks a real athlete, and if anybody knows anything about locks Coventry will know..
And yes Robinson can cover lock..
When are these squads named...?

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

When are these squads named...?

Not sure. There’s been a few dates posted on tsf

At least a week away but less than two weeks seems to be the consensus

[cgrant]

I would not like to see Robinson start a game at lock. He does not like the tight work. He's just a six IMO.

[taniwharugby]

@cgrant he can play tight, the Blues just played him in the wide channels.

Yeah Josh's head is a concern, when he came back 2 or 3 rounds to go I thought it was wrong, should just let him get completely right.

[Bovidae]

There will be a few teams after Parkinson, the Chiefs being another, but you would have to think the Highlanders would be keen to keep him.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae dude's from Whakatane though, should rep his home for sure

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah I wasn't 100% sure of where he was from.

[Tim]

Tumua Manu is training at the same gym as Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, and Dan Kirkpatrick, so hopefully he's with the Blues.

[Yeetyaah]

@Tim pains me a bit as a Chiefs supporter, but we have a stacked midfield and dudes 09 hard.

[Bovidae]

@Tim As Manu does live in Auckland it could just be for convenience. We'll see in a week or so.

[OleOleOle]

@Duluth I hope the other lock is Tucker...if he's not picked up by the Chiefs

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth
Just on Josh Goodhue , he is recovering from a shoulder injury , and should be right for the start of 2020 season .
Apparently, now I don’t know how correct this information is , he may have signed a 2 year deal before the start of the 2019 season ..

Sam Caird will be used as injury cover and will probably be part of the wider training squad for the Blues ..

Jordon Hyland has also been signed by the Blues for the 2020 season ..did not see this one coming..

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

Jordon Hyland

WTG or full squad?

[Steven Harris]

@Tim full squad

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris Midfield or wing?

[African Monkey]

I assume he's a replacement for Clarke then? Not a huge fan of Hyland and I don't know why we re-singed Duffie either. 2 strange signings.

[Tim]

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:

Hyland

Turning circle of an 18-wheeler.