Blues 2016 squad

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="553302" data-time="1453180439">
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Bugger. Poor fulla. It was probably more of a development year for TJ anyway rather that getting too much gametime - he's still very young so hopefully he can come back and be in the frame next year.
 
I wonder if one of the Vaega boys may get a callup - I thought Cardiff was pretty impressive for Counties in the ITM Cup.
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Matt Vaega has actually been training with the team during pre-season. I wonder what Cardiff is up to, because based on form in the ITM Cup, I'd probably want him to play as a fill-in before Matt, to be honest.
 
Speaking of Vaega's, their younger brother, TJ Vaega(the best of the Vaega boys), has signed with Auckland.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="553306" data-time="1453181755">Lol I love it how the media act as if it's only ever the Blues region that loses players. It's very lazy journalism.</blockquote>
 
The interesting thing for me is that it confirms they wanted, and lost, Mitchell Hunt. Perhaps that is why Francis was signed.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="553306" data-time="1453181755">
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Lol I love it how the media act as if it's only ever the Blues region that loses players. It's very lazy journalism.
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Yeah, it's weird. No mention of the players they signed from outside the region either.
 
Also love how they bring up his dream of coaching the ABs a number of times and put it in the headline, as if that isn't the dream of every NZ coach.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="553285" data-time="1453169316">
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From Blues Facebook page
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re the Northland game outside the window, they did this last year IIRC, where they played a Northland invitational, sans most of the Blues big guns.
 
IMO it isn't much different to the all but pointless pre-season 30 man sides we have had in the past few years...but at least the noises I hear is they are trying to re-engage with the Northland part of the franchise, obviously plenty of Northland kids come through the Auckland schools system on scholarships, plus plenty end up playing league in Aus too, so the talent is there, just tapping into it and getting them back up here and playing for the Blues is the hardest bit.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="553401" data-time="1453249474">
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re the Northland game outside the window, they did this last year IIRC, where they played a Northland invitational, sans most of the Blues big guns.
 
IMO it isn't much different to the all but pointless pre-season 30 man sides we have had in the past few years...but at least the noises I hear is they are trying to re-engage with the Northland part of the franchise, obviously plenty of Northland kids come through the Auckland schools system on scholarships, plus plenty end up playing league in Aus too, so the talent is there, just tapping into it and getting them back up here and playing for the Blues is the hardest bit.
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A few years ago they played a SA side up at Okara. I popped up for it - was a good day out. We should be doing that again I reckon

taniwharugby

Cheetahs in 2011 IIRC.....is a double edged sword, have to get 10k plus through the gates just to break even on a game (paying Blues to host match, security, catering etc) and often those pre-season games co-incide with other events (IIRC that Cheetahs game was same weekend as a NZ A cricket game on over the fence) at a busy time of year, so with a pre-seaosn Blues team and the bottom SA team, not always an easy sell! 
 
But if we cant get good crowds along, then Blues arent gonna give us a RR game...

KiwiMurph

The game v Cheetahs was a regular season fixture.

Dice

Yup, it was. I remember the game for that double fend try by Ice.

taniwharugby

There you go, I know I was there but thought it was another pre-season game

pukunui

Pretty good backline back then. At least on paper. Who was at 13? Tuitavake? 
Like Kahui, Toeava was definitely a player we never really got to see turn into the player they could have gor various reasons.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="553622" data-time="1453329315">
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Pretty good backline back then. At least on paper. Who was at 13? Tuitavake? 
Like Kahui, Toeava was definitely a player we never really got to see turn into the player they could have gor various reasons.
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Jared Payne was 13 for that game.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="553688" data-time="1453339807">
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Jared Payne was 13 for that game. 
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The Irishman?

taniwharugby

<a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.facebook.com/skysportnz/videos/962225577180441/">https://www.facebook.com/skysportnz/videos/962225577180441/</a> 
I still remember cringing the first time Ranger was interviewed after a Blues game, sounded like he had just walked out of the bush....obviously a bit more relaxed now, sounds like he's been out for a while now.

Mister G

Blues seem to die a death under the weight of expectations. Their defence wilts under pressure but with their talent they look like a team that will score tries.

KiwiMurph

I see Piers Francis' injury will only keep him out of action for the next 3 weeks or so - not a season ender.

mariner4life

Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="557666" data-time="1455059023">
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Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?
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As TR explained on the other thread, it's North Shore Chic, not homeless.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557658" data-time="1455057443">
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I see Piers Francis' injury will only keep him out of action for the next 3 weeks or so - not a season ender.
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That's good for him, but not so much for us.
 
I wonder if they'll bring in another 10 as cover for the first 3 weeks, as McGahan and West are our only 10s at the moment. I can't think of too many 10s we can bring in, but maybe we'll stay local and bring in Fonoti. If we don't bring in anyone, I'd assume Hall or Trainor are seen as the 3rd 10.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="557667" data-time="1455059206">
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As TR explained on the other thread, it's North Shore Chic, not homeless.
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I thought North Shore chic was to look South African?

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557668" data-time="1455059241">
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That's good for him, but not so much for us.
 
I wonder if they'll bring in another 10 as cover for the first 3 weeks, as McGahan and West are our only 10s at the moment. I can't think of too many 10s we can bring in, but maybe we'll stay local and bring in Fonoti. If we don't bring in anyone, I'd assume Hall or Trainor are seen as the 3rd 10.
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Yes it seems the young first fives from Auckland are still a year or two away for being at this level (D'angelo Leuila and Wiseguy Faiane), i'm not sure on Harbour and Northland. Hopefully they see some ITM Cup action this year (perhaps 2017).

The Silver Fern

Blues 2016 squad