Blues 2016 squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="553285" data-time="1453169316">
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<p>From Blues Facebook page</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="553401" data-time="1453249474">
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<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p>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</p> -
<p>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! </p>
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<p>But if we cant get good crowds along, then Blues arent gonna give us a RR game...</p> -
There you go, I know I was there but thought it was another pre-season game
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="553622" data-time="1453329315">
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<p>Pretty good backline back then. At least on paper. Who was at 13? Tuitavake?<br>
Like Kahui, Toeava was definitely a player we never really got to see turn into the player they could have gor various reasons.</p>
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<p>Jared Payne was 13 for that game. </p> -
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<p>Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="557666" data-time="1455059023">
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<p>Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?</p>
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<p>As TR explained on the other thread, it's North Shore Chic, not homeless.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557658" data-time="1455057443">
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<p>I see Piers Francis' injury will only keep him out of action for the next 3 weeks or so - not a season ender.</p>
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<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="557667" data-time="1455059206">
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<p>As TR explained on the other thread, it's North Shore Chic, not homeless.</p>
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<p>I thought North Shore chic was to look South African?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557668" data-time="1455059241">
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<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557677" data-time="1455060964">
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<p>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).</p>
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<p>Our 'star' 1st 5 is on the Rebels roster, and I don't see any decent ones coming through, well S15 quality, some potentially good ITM ones.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557668" data-time="1455059241">
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<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Male Sa'u is probably third.</p> -
<p>When's the last time Sa'u played 10? He doesn't strike me as a 10 even though his wiki page listed him as a midfielder and a first 5.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557677" data-time="1455060964">
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<p>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).</p>
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<p>Yeah, those two boys aren't ready, but maybe one of them gets a go with the Development team at some point this year.</p>
