Blues 2021

[Dice]

@Snowy Unless I've missed something, it doesn't seem he's with the Highlanders at all.

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Not back from 2020: Jack Whetton (NSW), Dillon Hunt (Blues), Rob Thompson ( Japan) Bryn Gatland (Chiefs), Jesse Parete (Japan), Josh Iosefa-Scott, Zane Kapeli, Kirisi Kuridrani, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay

[Snowy]

@Dice Cheers. Hadn't seen that.

[Bovidae]

Walden has an achilles injury so could take a while to fully recover.

[Daffy Jaffy]

New Blood -

[Dice]

@Daffy-Jaffy When looking at that, I think we've upgraded our roster this season.

Luteru Tolai would be the most unlucky one from last season's team to not be in the team again.

He's only 22, so hopefully we pick him up again after 2021 when Parsons and Niua should be off contract.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yeah, but he suffered that injury after it became clear that the Highlanders weren't going to re-sign him. So it's not due to his injury that he doesn't have a Highlanders contract.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer I was meaning that the injury could be the reason that Walden wasn't picked up by another team (e.g., Chiefs, Blues).

[KiwiMurph]

Interestingly - the 2019 Blues development player of the year was a midfielder - Lemeki Namoa - but he's fallen away - he has been injured and then could only make Auckland B squad this year.

[Stargazer]

The Blues Podcast: Episode 5: Squad Naming with Leon MacDonald

https://bluesrugbyteam.buzzsprout.com/886006/6661013-episode-5-squad-naming-with-leon-macdonald

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• They see Kneepkens as a fullback

• Hopeful Vikena can play later in the year

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

[Nogusta]

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

Depth in midfield is a big concern.

Will be tested early on with TJs injury keeping him out until end of March

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

Troll the Fern!

SBW

[Kirwan]

@nzzp said in Blues 2021:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

Troll the Fern!

SBW

Troll the cantabs, Goodhue to come home to join his brother!

[cgrant]

So no Choat but Tremain. Weird !

[family man]

@cgrant I find it mad that choat is left out,tremain I not seen much of to be honest but looks a good player

[Stargazer]

@cgrant Sorry, what's this about Tremain?

[ARHS]

Surprised about Taine Plumtree selection ahead of Choat. But, Will Tremain... Is he playing here at top level again?

[Stargazer]

So can anybody tell me what this Tremain news is? Link to a source, please? I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@ARHS With Plumtree being 1.97m and 111kg, I think they were looking for a 6/lock to fill the role Carroll played last season. Choat is more of a 7/6 which is well covered in the squad already. I do hope Choat can be included in a wider replacement group though or we will likely lose him.

[Daffy Jaffy]

The fact that Coach said that they are still finalising negotiations re: the last midfield position makes me wonder if they are bringing someone from overseas. Maybe a returnee like Michael Little who was excellent for the Sunwolves? or even another young player from Quins like Marchant last season?