Blues 2021
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@stargazer said in Blues 2021:
@gt12 And not a positive message to some good youngsters coming through.
Who do the Blues have signed? Eklund, Riccitelli, and Vikena sounds like a good enough trio.
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@stargazer said in Blues 2021:
@gt12 And not a positive message to some good youngsters coming through.
Vikena is already signed multiple years.
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@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props! -
@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2021:
@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props!Agreed. It means that they have three options they can use and another genuine starting competition while they bring through Vikena. And, they can use the development team for youngsters, not sure I see what issue @Stargazer has with this one?
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@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2021:
@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props!Agreed. It means that they have three options they can use and another genuine starting competition while they bring through Vikena. And, they can use the development team for youngsters, not sure I see what issue @Stargazer has with this one?
There is not an issue.
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@bovidae More the age experience balance maybe. His selection would leave them with two young inexperienced hookers. He trained with them all season and played pretty well I thought when he got the chance but I guess they think he is not ready or not as good as Riccitelli. He may also be available again as backup unless Moana Pasifika come calling. That would be a good option for him I think. I do think he is good enough to play at this level.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
That's a good pick up for the Blues.
Really? I’ve thought he’s been unimpressive since his break out years as an U20s star.
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@nepia said in Blues 2021:
@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
That's a good pick up for the Blues.
Really? I’ve thought he’s been unimpressive since his break out years as an U20s star.
He's fine as a third choice hooker.
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Tolai wasn't good enough to win himself a contract unfortunately.
They've got Eklund and Vikena on multi year deals
The drop off from Eklund to Tolai was very noticeable after Eklund got suspended for throwing Reece.
I think Tolai has potential but I can see why they have brought in RR.
If Vikena wasn't around then Tolai would fit as the young hooker.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2021:
Eklund got suspended for throwing Reece
he only did what everyone else wanted to do
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So now we know who the 3rd hooker is, and Corey Evans probably comes into the midfield, and Macilai probably drops out.
Questions:
Who replaces GCT at lock? Josh Beehre or someone more experienced?
Does Heem return for another year? Does another outside back or midfielder leave (Tele'a or Narawa)?
Do they try and sign Chocobares again?
Do Plumtree and Choat make it back into the loose forwards? Does Hunt retire? Can another loose forward like Ekuasi or Church force their way in?
Any change in the halfbacks?
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