Blues 2016 squad
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="553622" data-time="1453329315">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Jared Payne was 13 for that game. </p> -
<a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.facebook.com/skysportnz/videos/962225577180441/">https://www.facebook.com/skysportnz/videos/962225577180441/</a><br><br>
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. -
<p>Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="557666" data-time="1455059023">
<div>
<p>Why does Rene Ranger always try his best to look homeless?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<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">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
<p> </p>
<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">
<div>
<p>As TR explained on the other thread, it's North Shore Chic, not homeless.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I thought North Shore chic was to look South African?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557668" data-time="1455059241">
<div>
<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
<p> </p>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<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">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<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">
<div>
<p>That's good for him, but not so much for us.</p>
<p> </p>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557677" data-time="1455060964">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<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> -
<p>Who is expected to play FB in the big games ? </p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="557799" data-time="1455076953">
<div>
<p>Who is expected to play FB in the big games ? </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>It's hard to say. I think there are pros and cons to every fullback option in our team right now. As far as outside backs go, I think only Melani Nanai is a sure bet to start once the season starts.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="557670" data-time="1455059639">
<div>
<p>I thought North Shore chic was to look South African?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>North Shore isn't just Albany and East Coast Bays you know.</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://asianz.org.nz/reports/report/asian-auckland-the-multiple-meanings-of-diversity/asian-migration-and-settlement-in-auckland/'>http://asianz.org.nz/reports/report/asian-auckland-the-multiple-meanings-of-diversity/asian-migration-and-settlement-in-auckland/</a></p>
<p>And from the wiki:</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">72.8 percent or 21,981 people of all Koreans in New Zealand live in the <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland' title="Auckland">Auckland</a> region (with 70% of this group living on the North Shore),</blockquote> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557798" data-time="1455076356">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I think you're right. I can find nothing to suggest he has actually played No.10 (though I haven't looked at Top league fixtures at all). I would then suggest that Michael Little would be the third option. He played for Fiji U20s at 10, and I think got a game or two there at ITM Cup level. Hardly shows he is ready for SupeRugby level, but there aren't many options.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="557677" data-time="1455060964">
<div>
<p>Yes it seems the young first fives from Auckland are still a year or two away for being at this level <strong>(D'angelo Leuila and Wiseguy Faiane</strong>), i'm not sure on Harbour and Northland. Hopefully they see some ITM Cup action this year (perhaps 2017).</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Is it wrong that I pissed myself laughing at those two names?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="557856" data-time="1455094292">
<div>
<p>Is it wrong that I pissed myself laughing at those two names?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Wiseguy was named after the show. Obviously Vinnie was too normal. </p>
