Blues 2022
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@george33 Replying to your comment in the Crusaders thread (thought we should move the conversation here). We had oil on here a while back that Corey Evans was signed. Heem played Centre a bit in Europe and looked good there for Auckland recently. Could also be that RTS is named as a midfielder. Has Tele'a definitely moved on? If so and you are right about Kata then the 5 midfielders could be Ioane, Evans, RTS, Heem, Kata. With 4 of them also covering wing that would leave Clarke, Lam, Telea, JRK, Narawa and Sullivan. I would rather retain Tanielu Tele'a than Narawa as there is so much quality wing cover that Narawa will rarely play anyway. The rumors on here awhile ago that Narawa (and Nock) were looking to move have been quiet lately. The other big question is who will be the two locks to replace Patty and GCT? Or will they move Plumtree or Robinson to Lock then select one or two of the promising loosies like Ekuasi and Vaai? The teams are usually named 1st week in November but I wonder if Covid will delay that. Apparently the squads are not getting together until Jan.
Just had a random after thought, there should be Jerseys unveiled for next season. The current one grew on me after initially not liking it. Maybe because they won in it a bit more often than before.
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@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:
(thought we should move the conversation here)
I've moved the last part of that conversation here
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@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:
We had oil on here a while back that Corey Evans was signed. Heem played Centre a bit in Europe and looked good there for Auckland recently. Could also be that RTS is named as a midfielder. Has Tele'a definitely moved on? If so and you are right about Kata then the 5 midfielders could be Ioane, Evans, RTS, Heem, Kata. With 4 of them also covering wing
I think Plummer might be given the first chance at 12
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@duluth Also young Manawatu Centre Josiah Maraku trained with them all this season so may be in the squad picture depending on what the Tele'a/Kata/Heem situations are, or maybe WTG again if no other team picks him up.
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@daffy-jaffy yeah think Evans mayb signed,and RTS will probably play wing/midfield,Ekuasi may get a spot with Blake gone and Dillion hunt 50/50,but they both 7s ,I herd rumour that taniela talea won't b resigned,and choat to,but only rumours,as for lock Darry,Pierce r there but need to sign 2 more,Heem hope he does another season cheers
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@daffy-jaffy yes would like to c Vai get 1 of those 7s shirts vacancy,only recent signing has been Rikki Riccatelli at hooker alongside Vakena and Eklund.
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If Blues are looking at a squaddie lock, I think they should be looking at Caird, great work rate on both sides of the ball, good in the air, and would suit the Blues game where they like to station forwards in the wider channels with his pace.
Sure he struggled in a shit Waratahs team, but he will be better for the experience, and is playing bloody well again in NPC.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
If Blues are looking at a squaddie lock, I think they should be looking at Caird, great work rate on both sides of the ball, good in the air, and would suit the Blues game where they like to station forwards in the wider channels with his pace.
Sure he struggled in a shit Waratahs team, but he will be better for the experience, and is playing bloody well again in NPC.
Not up to Super Rugby quality. No thanks.
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seems pretty harsh writing him off on his few performances in the Waratahs this year, when most of that team was shite, not many rookies would shine.
Not saying he is or will be a superstar, just think he would thrive in a better environment.
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@taniwharugby Cairds Warratahs deal was for two years so he should be back there next season unless they cut him for some reason.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300148666/giant-lock-sam-caird-is-leaving-new-zealand-for-super-rugby-chance-with-the-waratahs -
@daffy-jaffy I am yet to be convinced by Darry. He lacks physicality right now for such a big unit. Hopefully this might come with age as it often does with young Locks. If Pierce goes and with Goodhue's concussion issues Lock could be a worry next year. Hopefully the replacements for GTC and PT can replicate their heavy defense and ball carrying skills that will be missed. I can see both Robinson and Plumtree getting some time at lock.
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Would Hamish Dalzell be worth a crack? Hes one guy who i thought would be looking at for next season. Sadly he's fallen victim to no NPC.
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@daffy-jaffy Darry has impressed me and he will only get bigger and stronger still a young lad,I c him potential allblack material down the track,he should get plenty of game time next season
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@african-monkey I put him in same basket as Caird and he hasn't really cracket Bunnings cup this year or last
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@african-monkey Dalzell did train with the team through this season so they will Know a bit about him. He is similar in playing style and height to Peirce so may be considered if Pierce goes.
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@daffy-jaffy yes maybe he will b considered but I just can't c it happening I'm sure they got overseas lock in mind I've herd couple rumours but wait and c and Bunnings cup will throw up a few names as well that will b considered I'm sure,like cridge maybe
