Blues 2021
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A good servant for us over the years. All the best to him in retirement.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:
Parsons has retired
James Parsons announces his retirement from all rugby
Blues and North Harbour centurion James Parsons has today announced that he has decided to retire from all rugby.
That's a shame. He cops a lot of stick on here, but he's been a great team man and more than a handy player.
My issues were more with the Blues than Parsons himself. For many years Parsons was rolled out as the unquestioned starter, playing huge minutes, and there was little to no development plan behind him. That has improved since Leon has become head coach and some other options have been identified (e.g. Eklund, Tolai, Vikena).
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End of a wonderful career.Always a leader and his knowledge of the game undeniable.Congratulations ,as you once said”if I am part of the problem,I want to be part of the solution”I think at the Blues you have been part of the solution.
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@Kirwan wasnt his fault he kept getting selected and then used as a battering ram ball carrier
I was critical of his ability at that level (as a starter) but was never any question about his work rate or dedication to the team!
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:
@Kirwan wasnt his fault he kept getting selected and then used as a battering ram ball carrier
I was critical of his ability at that level (as a starter) but was never any question about his work rate or dedication to the team!
Yep, wasn't a dig at the critics, as you say he was a crucial part of the team. It's a shame he didn't get to choose when to retire.
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@taniwharugby..just checking to see who is the next cab off the rack
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@Steven-Harris Leni Apisai is training with the team, so I guess he's third hooker. Hope his throwing has improved. There's the young guy from Hawkes Bay who might be available. How about Olsen?
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@Tim It would be great if Kereru-Symes got a chance, even if he has a queue in front of him. He suffers from being stuck behind Ash Dixon in the Magpies squad, but he was one of the few players who performed well in the NZ U20s team that he captained. Parsons rated him when he replaced him in the squad, last year. Turns 22 end of Feb.
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@Tim said in Blues 2021:
Leni Apisai is training with the team, so I guess he's third hooker. Hope his throwing has improved.
You'd assume so. They've had plenty of hookers at training so I can't see them going outside that group. I doubt the Parsons call was a surprise..
So Eklund, Tolai and Apisai?
When are full squad members Niuia or Vikena meant to be over their injuries?
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Not sure whether anyone has already posted this, but here's a link to the headshots:
Didn't realise George Dyer was in the wtg and players I don't know or remember are Fatongia Paea, Teague McElroy and Marco Fepulea'i.
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@Stargazer Hamdahn Tuipulotu was training with the squad but is missing from those photos so Dyer may be replacing him in the wtg. Maybe Tuipulotu has picked up an injury?
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@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph I hope he has a future as a commentator, although I wonder if some of his more interesting stuff comes from being a player, he also can discuss and explain modern preparation, tactics, and stats much more clearly than, well, pretty much everyone else out there.
If the commentary career doesn’t work out he can do the next best thing and join the Fern and share his insights here.
James we know you are lurking... 😉
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@ACT-Crusader Lets be honest here a lot of players do lol.
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If the Blues are looking to replace James Parson , personally I would prefer if they used a hooker from one the 3 unions that’s part of the franchise ..wether it be Leni Apasai (Auckland ) ,Luteru Tolai ( North Harbour )or Jordon Olsen (Northland )let’s make the provincial teams that are part of the Blues stronger and let’s not be in the business of helping other unions keep players on their books .
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2021:
If the Blues are looking to replace James Parson , personally I would prefer if they used a hooker from one the 3 unions that’s part of the franchise ..wether it be Leni Apasai (Auckland ) ,Luteru Tolai ( North Harbour )or Jordon Olsen (Northland )let’s make the provincial teams that are part of the Blues stronger and let’s not be in the business of helping other unions keep players on their books .
Could you pass these thoughts on to the Hurricanes?
