Blues 2022
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'No one wanted me': Surprise reason why Otere Black is leaving NZ
Despite only starting to enter his peak years of professional rugby, Otere Black has called time on his career in New Zealand and is set to head to Japan following the NPC.
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@dice said "Hopefully we've kept Pierce around".
This line from the article would suggest not, unless he was overlooked (much like at match day selection time).
-- with only veteran Josh Goodhue and rookie Sam Darry remaining from their specialist locks in 2021--.
Also Goodhue must love being called a veteran having just turned 26! Goodhue's concussion issues are also an worry. He could be lost to head knocks at any time. -
@daffy-jaffy yep he must be very close to calling it a day due to head knocks.
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Hamish Dalzell may push for one spot if he has a good NPC, having trained with the team all this season. Still only 25 and at 2.01m has the size they will be looking for.
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@tim said in Blues 2022:
I really hope they don't bring him straight back into the ABs after this, from Barrett and Retallick, it's clear Japan is not sufficient prep for test matches
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@daffy-jaffy Josh Goodhue only 26 years old , but already a veteran .😟..the only real problem I see for Josh Goodhue is the amount of head knocks he has taken , Northland are concerned to the point that they are in negotiations with Sam Caird who is returning to NZ.
I actually do like the idea of Tom Robinson used as lock . -
@steven-harris With Robinson certain to be Captain, playing him at lock makes sense. He can then play more minutes and Akira can start more often. Would then allow Plumtree to get some time as 6/lock off the bench. Robinson to lock may be inevitable if Goodhue can't play added to losing GCT, Patty and possibly Pierce. It would leave 21 year old Darry as last lock standing.
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@steven-harris Also a strong season at lock might push Robinsons chances of AB squad selection down the line. There is no genuine lock/6 around the AB's right now so he could be valuable in a smaller world cup squad.
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@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:
@steven-harris Also a strong season at lock might push Robinsons chances of AB squad selection down the line. There is no genuine lock/6 around the AB's right now so he could be valuable in a smaller world cup squad.
Join the bandwagon!
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@gt12 There is always room for one more -
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@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 There is always room for one more -
I really hope he sees some time there as I think your analysis is bang on. Essentially, if the boy can push in scrums, he's invaluable to an AB team at a WC.
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@steven-harris said in Blues 2022:
I actually do like the idea of Tom Robinson used as lock .
Yeah it might work very well. It all depends on the scrum, the rest of his skills should translate well.
We haven’t seen enough of it at SR level to judge yet (1 start at lock in 3 years)
If this is likely to happen next year I hope there is some co-ordination between the Blues and Northland. Get him some time at lock during the NPC
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@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@steven-harris said in Blues 2022:
I actually do like the idea of Tom Robinson used as lock .
Yeah it might work very well. It all depends on the scrum, the rest of his skills should translate well.
We haven’t seen enough of it at SR level to judge yet (1 start at lock in 3 years)
If this is likely to happen next year I hope there is some co-ordination between the Blues and Northland. Get him some time at lock during the NPC
I think it's a similar case to David Havilli, where his way was blocked in the ABs at fullback by up to four other players, swapped to a position they were light in and now he's golden.
Robinson can do the same thing, especially considering we have had very few players that were true lock/blindsides and they seem to like them. Would also mean we would never have to play Barrett at six ever again.
