New Zealand under 20
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586042" data-time="1465517128">
<div>
<p>I went to a Smallblacks coaching clinic being run by Nocks father, and a couple of tidbits emphasized how hard Sam has worked to get to where he is and some of the basic passing drills he did growing up to hone his skills.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I know that Canterbury/Crusaders tried really hard to sign Nock last year, but he has too much loyalty to Northland.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gotta respect an attitude like that</p> -
<p>I had heard that his Dad suggested it might be better for his career if he played elsewhere, which I can sadly understand and appreciate (true or not)</p>
-
<p>he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586056" data-time="1465518605">
<div>
<p>he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Ah that is great news. And now that you mention it, I do have a hazy recollection of him on the bench for one of the Blues matches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Looks quite the talent and that he is very committed to putting in the hard work, hope he keeps that up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now to find a good a 5/8.</p> -
<p><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80921130/georgian-player-on-biting-charge-from-loss-to-new-zealand-at-world-under20-rugby-championship'>Georgian player banned for nine weeks after biting New Zealand star at world under-20 rugby championship</a></span></span></p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586056" data-time="1465518605">
<div>
<p>he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yup played the last 5 mins against the Hurricanes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope to see more of him for the Blues before the seasons out now that Bryn Hall is leaving.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="RoninWC" data-cid="586055" data-time="1465518538">
<div>
<p>So has Nock committed to any of the SR franchises as yet?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think he would be a great asset to a building Blues side :good:</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Nock will be with the Blues until 2019. Other youngsters like Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Jordan Trainor, TJ Faiane and Blake Gibson are also locked in with the Blues until 2019.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Signing this lot for that long is massive for the Blues.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="586170" data-time="1465559794">
<div>
<p>Still not sold on Faiane.. I feel hes still too small, and he doesnt have the punch that Sammy Tuitupou had.. but he still has time to develop size.. i can see he is a smart player.. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Faiane is listed at 92kgs and 1.84m which is heavier and taller than Ryan Crotty. At only 20 and having spent all this year in the gym he will no doubt be heavier and stronger again next season. I wonder if he will be fit in time to see any npc time for Auckland? If he stayed fit this year he may have seen time at 12 for the Blues after Rangers injury. I rate his game reading and ball playing skills highly and see him as the long term 2nd pivot for the Blues from 12.</p> -
<p>3 changes in the backline for the Irish game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Leni Apisai (C) 3. Sosefo Kautai 4. Quinten Strange 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Mitchell Jacobson 8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Sam Nock 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Malo Tuitama 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Patelesio Tomkinson 14. Shaun Stevenson 15. Jordan Trainor<br><br><strong>Reserves: </strong>16. Asafo Aumua 17. Sean Paranihi 18. Alex Fidow 19. Hamish Dalzell 20. Dalton Papali’I 21. Jonathan Taumateine 22. TJ Va’a 23. Jonah Lowe</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="586175" data-time="1465563925">
<div>
<p>Faiane is listed at 92kgs and 1.84m which is heavier and taller than Ryan Crotty. At only 20 and having spent all this year in the gym he will no doubt be heavier and stronger again next season. I wonder if he will be fit in time to see any npc time for Auckland? If he stayed fit this year he may have seen time at 12 for the Blues after Rangers injury. I rate his game reading and ball playing skills highly and see him as the long term 2nd pivot for the Blues from 12.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm 1.8m and I'm definitely taller than him.. I take those stats with a grain of salt..</p>
<p>Maybe it was a typo and it was meant to be 1.74m.. but yes, like i said.. smart player.. just need to wait for him to develop some size and strength</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>edit: unless he's grown 10cm.. so i may be wrong D:</p> -
Jordie Barrett is awesome.
-
Our forward pack has a weak underbelly. Getting shunted at scrum time. Piss poor IMO. <br><br>
Barrett, Stevenson and the hard running no 8 Mikaele Tu'u are obvious stand outs so far.<br><br>
Ive been disapointed in Apisai and Walker-Leawere so far. For big guys they don't hit very hard. They seem lazy.
