Blues 2021
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph I also just noticed in Swinton's judicial decision that his ban ended before Ofa's:
The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021.Yeah that ban was handed out prior to the Super AU schedule being finalised so I wouldn't read into that date.
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@KiwiMurph It would have included all 4 matches he'd have to miss though. 2 Tri Nations and 2 preseason.
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Heem can play 13.
Confirmed taking the spot of what would have been Chocobares.
Heem will take the place of Argentine player Santiago Chocobares with the club and player unable to conclude all necessary arrangements in time for the start of the season.https://blues.rugby/former-new-zealand-sevens-star-returns-home/
There is also this
His arrival balances the first significant injury with midfielder Jone Macilai out for the season after fracturing his radius during the weekend’s Game of 3 Halves in Wellington. -
Heem has been very good for Worcester Warriors and Toulon. He has been playing wing, centre and even Fullback on occasions. He has always been super fit but at 32 is only a short term fix for the midfield/wing depth. If he is effectively replacing Macilai there must be still one other backline spot to fill. I think it is a smart signing as the outside backs are very young and green otherwise.
At Toulon -
At Worcester -
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2021:
Heem has been very good for Worcester Warriors and Toulon. He has been playing wing, centre and even Fullback on occasions. He has always been super fit but at 32 is only a short term fix for the midfield/wing depth. If he is effectively replacing Macilai there must be still one other backline spot to fill. I think it is a smart signing as the outside backs are very young and green otherwise.
We need a 'glue' player in midfield to back up TJ Faiane. Hopefully he brings that - experience, cool head, training commitment.
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Macilai, a mid-fielder?
I was a fan of his (duh, he played for Northland) had great pace off the mark, he obviously developed the skills to play in the mid-field up there, seems an odd signing, but is a good team man!
Wonder if he will stay in Auckland or head up SH1....(I didnt read the article if it mentioned that)
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@taniwharugby he's signed with Auckland for NPC.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
We need a 'glue' player in midfield to back up TJ Faiane
A great bench option. He could be very useful for the Blues/Auckland in the midfield. I always rated his ability to get his arms free and offload in contact.
He was great for Auckland in 2015. Mostly on the wing but popped up everywhere (that Auckland backline was really effective that year Moala, Piutau, Lam/Visinia, Heem, Nanai... they did well despite the quality at 9 & 10)
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@Duluth said in Blues 2021:
@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
We need a 'glue' player in midfield to back up TJ Faiane
A great bench option. He could be very useful for the Blues/Auckland in the midfield. I always rated his ability to get his arms free and offload in contact.
He was great for Auckland in 2015. Mostly on the wing but popped up everywhere (that Auckland backline was really effective that year Moala, Piutau, Lam/Visinia, Heem, Nanai... they did well despite the quality at 9 & 10)
Except when he tried to catch a kick at goal that went wide - dropped it - resulting in Hawke's Bay points in a close Shield loss.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:
@Duluth said in Blues 2021:
@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
We need a 'glue' player in midfield to back up TJ Faiane
A great bench option. He could be very useful for the Blues/Auckland in the midfield. I always rated his ability to get his arms free and offload in contact.
He was great for Auckland in 2015. Mostly on the wing but popped up everywhere (that Auckland backline was really effective that year Moala, Piutau, Lam/Visinia, Heem, Nanai... they did well despite the quality at 9 & 10)
Except when he tried to catch a kick at goal that went wide - dropped it - resulting in Hawke's Bay points in a close Shield loss.
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Injured Players
Parsons (concussion, retired)
Macilai (forearm fractured, season)
Vikena (shoulder, four to five months)
Niuia (knee, short term)
Narawa (finger, two or more weeks)
Faiane (foot, ankle, or knee, several weeks?)
Hunt (not seen in preseason)
Gibson (not selected for chiefs/hurricanes preseason game)
Robinson (late withdrawal from chiefs/hurricanes preseason game)Any missed?
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https://blues.rugby/teams-named-for-final-preseason-hitout/
Players not considered with injury: Soane Vikena, Rau Niuia, TJ Faiane, Dillon Hunt, Emoni Narawa, Jone Macalai, Josiah Maraku.
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12 still worries me with Faiane out. Everytime Olummer has played there he's looked lost whether its Mitre 10 Cup or SR. I've always had a problem with Tele'a and his distribution to play in the midfield but I feel he could be a better bet there than Plummer especially for round 1 where I think his physicality against Laumape would be beneficial.
