Blues 2020

[Daffy Jaffy]

Sam Caird is already training with the team covering for Cowley-Tuioti who has apparently had shoulder surgery and will start the season late. Maybe he will be upgraded and someone else brought in to cover C/T. Ben Nee Nee maybe?

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy yep, hopefully the pro enviroment will add a few kegs to Caird slender looking frame, had also heard the Highlanders had been looking at Temo Mayanavanua, who would be a lock/loosie option too (if Selby-Ricketts contract torn up, they might go to him)

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:

Sam Caird is already training with the team covering for Cowley-Tuioti who has apparently had shoulder surgery and will start the season late. Maybe he will be upgraded and someone else brought in to cover C/T. Ben Nee Nee maybe?

The GCT injury complicates things. Those names make sense.

[Dice]

Clermont's my Top 14 team and they've been playing Moala and Ice in the midfield this season with Fofana out injured. They've gone pretty well together, although I'd rather see them switch positions. I can't remember them ever playing together for Auckland or the Blues?

[antipodean]

@Dice Every time I see Ice play, I wonder what could have been.

[Stargazer]

@Dice Clermont is my Top 14 team, too, and particularly Toeava has been playing really well for them, since he joined them a few years ago.

[mariner4life]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:

@Dice Clermont is my Top 14 team, too, and particularly Toeava has been playing really well for them, since he joined them a few years ago.

i'm really happy that lad finally got a consistent go at it. good on him.

[Stargazer]

@mariner4life His versatility has been very valuable. He has played at 10, 12, 13 and 15 for Clermont.

[Duluth]

I haven't followed closely but it seems he hasn't had many injuries in France?

It was rare for him to have six weeks without an injury. Maybe the seasons in Japan let everything come right?

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth that’s very bad luck for Wardlaw, hoping he can have some sort of recovery that at least gets him through life without too much discomfort

On a replacement , I would imagine Sam Caird because he’s already in the squad would probably go straight into the squad full time .
In terms of a recovery replacement you are probably looking at Temo Mayanavanua given he was with the development squad last year
Looked pretty comfortable playing for Fiji on debut last weekend against reasonable opposition.
Other options might be Jamie Lane given he’s been around the Blues in the past..someone out of left field could be Geoff Cridge who was left out of the Canes or Matahi Martin who was in the Blues in 2018..

[Stargazer]

@Duluth IIRC, he had a very difficult first year, but I think he's been mostly fine after that.

[KiwiMurph]

@Steven-Harris Martin is a journeyman and I doubt Lane will ever have the physicality for Super Rugby.

[Steven Harris]

@KiwiMurph totally agree, but you never know what coaches are thinking , I think we can discount Lane and Martin..

[taniwharugby]

@KiwiMurph Hanks bro, Hanks!

[African Monkey]

I'd fear for Lane's safety if he played at SR level. Shit luck for Wardlaw though. Ben Nee Nee or Martin would be my pick as a replacement as there isn't much out there.

[Tim]

Lemalu?
Va'ai?

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:

@mariner4life His versatility has been very valuable. He has played at 10, 12, 13 and 15 for Clermont.

Almost as many positions as Jordie for the ABs

[cgrant]

Martin has signed overseas.

[Stargazer]

@cgrant said in Blues 2020:

Martin has signed overseas.

Yep, he signed with Pro D2 club Valence Romans Drôme Rugby two weeks ago. This club was promoted to Pro D2 only this year and are last on the table at the moment (after 11 rounds). Peter Saili plays for the same team.

[Dice]

@Stargazer Clermont really make the most of his versatility in a game. Even though he's got 13 on his back, he still pops into 1st and 2nd receiver during games.