Blues 2020

[Bovidae]

@African-Monkey Yep, SBW shouldn't be in there. His best years were with the Chiefs and Crusaders. But he has plenty of fans.

[African Monkey]

@Bovidae Yeah, he got the young people's votes that's for sure, despite barely playing for us and being a big waste of money. I think TJ Faiane has probably contributed more to the Blues than SBW as well....

[Snowy]

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:

Michael Jones is in both teams. Swap him out in the 2nd XV with Gus Collins.

Can see why though. He was our best 7 and our second best 6. Gus comes in 3rd for sure.

[Bovidae]

How about Blowers? A short career but he was an integral part of that team.

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae Reichlemann played a bit at 6 too IIRC too, he was a bloody good player.

But id have Gus in behind the Iceman, but Iceman cant be in 2 teams either...

[nzzp]

Speaking of backrowers...

could be 28 when he gets back ... could fill a role for us at 6 (Blues and who knows at the higher level). Will be very interesting to see how he adapts back to NZ. Everyone who went to Europe prior to that came back wrecked for teh NZ game.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12328130

[Duluth]

@nzzp said in Blues 2020:

Speaking of backrowers...

If he did come back when he’s 30/31 I’d pick him at lock

[nzzp]

@Duluth Kaino was 32 when he played in 2015 RWC and was excellent.

If Steven came back next year, he'd be turning 30 in April (also, Happy Birthday Steven Luatua - 29 today!). Not sure if he'd be right for a lock - he's shorter than Jerome!

[Duluth]

@nzzp

Loads of loosies at the Blues not as many locks

I've always been sceptical of Kaino being listed as 1.96. Luatua is listed between 1.94 and 1.96 (apparently he was taller at the Blues and AB's than other teams)

I'm reasonably sure Luatua is taller than Kaino regardless of what the stats say

There's plenty of successful shortish locks in SR. Plus with Robinson at 6 there would be plenty of lineout targets

[Bovidae]

For reference (Ardie unavailable).

[Duluth]

@Bovidae

Yup he's mid 1.90's significantly shorter than Retallick. About the same as a Brad Thorn/Hemepo etc

Fine for SR

[Nepia]

Clearly he should go to another franchise, rather than shoehorn him into lock, if there are too many loosies already at the Blues?

[MN5]

Fairly sure Rugby stats men just take a look and estimate from there.

Or exxagerate for effect much like the fact Andre the Giant was never 7 foot 4 or 5

[KiwiMurph]

@Nepia said in Blues 2020:

Clearly he should go to another franchise, rather than shoehorn him into lock, if there are too many loosies already at the Blues?

If he comes back its because he wants to reach 100 Blues caps.

[Nepia]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

@Nepia said in Blues 2020:

Clearly he should go to another franchise, rather than shoehorn him into lock, if there are too many loosies already at the Blues?

If he comes back its because he wants to reach 100 Blues caps.

In that case sending Akira or Dalton to the Chiefs would be best.

[Bovidae]

@Duluth said in Blues 2020:

@Bovidae

Yup he's mid 1.90's significantly shorter than Retallick. About the same as a Brad Thorn/Hemepo etc

A similar height to Tu'ungafasi and Ta'avao. Not forgetting Jordie.

[Duluth]

@Bovidae

What's your point? Are you saying he is too short to play lock? He's done well there before

[Bovidae]

@Duluth No. Just saying they are all about the same height.

I was always a fan of Hemopo, and he was a very good lineout option despite not being the tallest lock.

[nzzp]

@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:

For reference (Ardie unavailable).

Ardie's hair unavailable.

[Crucial]

@Duluth said in Blues 2020:

@Bovidae

What's your point? Are you saying he is too short to play lock? He's done well there before

IIRC that was due to his excellent vertical leap. Maybe a bit of athleticism that may have reduced as he has aged?
Safe hands in the lineout though.
I would have taken him in the RWC squad easily, he's still a very good player with a huge workrate. Has become McCaw like in his running lines to the right place at the right time.
I cant see Bristol letting him go easily. He is the glue in that team. (who the fuck is Piutau?)

Was arrogant of NZ rugby to think he would be happy to stay here without encouragement. A bit of perserverance with him and he would have locked in the 6 jersey easily IMO.