Blues 2023

[Tim]

Based on news reports and rumours we have the following player movements

Departing players:

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Josh Goodhue
Luke Romano

Tamati Tua

New or returning players:

Joshua Fusitua
Patrick Tuipulotu
Robert Rush

Moses Leo
Caleb Tangitau

Forwards with unknown contract status:

Renata
Riccitelli
Tucker
Plumtree
Suafoa

Backs with unknown contract status:

Tanielu Teleʻa
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
AJ Lam

Tele'a is an intereting one - he may not be available due to injury. If the rumours are to believed, then based on a bit of supposition, I would say that we will see the following players leave: Plumtree and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Plumtree and Rush seem fairly similar, whereas Suafoa is more of a large power 6/8. Robinson may be out with injury for a while too. Hopefully Plumtree is not used as a lock.

Tele'a may need an injury replacement, which could see Lam move into midfield, providing a place for Kneepkens. Kneepkens has been a bit disappointing however, and may look for more game time elsewhere. Could also see Kneepkens depart for McKenzie.

Big questions over who will be the new lock in the squad, whether Renata and Riccitelli can keep their spots, and a possible injury replacement for Tele'a. Rest of the squad seems pretty certain.

[Daffy Jaffy]

If Nogusta's oil about Leo and Tangitau signing is accurate (it rarely isn't) I wonder what that means for a second back moving on? Leo as a centre/winger is a natural replacement for Tamati Tua. Tangitau is a winger/fullback, so that suggests he is replacing either JRK, Heem or Lam or do they use Heem or Lam in midfield and move on from the forever injured Tanielu Tele'a? Or could Tangitau be on a WTG deal this season then replacing Heem in 2024. He is still only 19. I was surprised to see that Leo is 25, then read how he missed basically 2 years with multiple injuries/surgeries then went straight into Sevens so has hardly played senior rep rugby until this season.

[Tim]

First choice 23 will be largely unchanged from last season, but what they do at lock will be interesting - especially how they use Robinson. Huge year for Darry, can he bulk up to 120 kg+, and play like he's that size? Would love to see Vikena take 1st choice hooker spot by season's end.

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Tu'ungafasi
4 Darry
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Perofeta

16 Vikena
17 James Lay
18 Laulala
19 Tucker
20 Choat/Robinson/Suafoa
21 Funaki
22 Heem/Evans
23 Sullivan

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy McKenzie could replace Kneepkins too.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Maybe. It is a pity that he did not see any npc action this season until this week (I guess due to injury). They could be lining him up to replace Barrett post world cup when he goes off to Japan or wherever.

[Crucial]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Huge year for Darry, can he bulk up to 120 kg+

That would make for a huge second row given the size of Tuipulotu.

[Crazy Horse]

@Crucial said in Blues 2023:

@Duluth could be. I just liked how Sullivan's instinct was to immediately drift wide a touch after passing and be there for the return. The same positioning from Rayasi would have offered an option to Sullivan if he was caught.

And the move started with him where the 10 usually stands.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim said in Blues 2023 Hopefully Plumtree is not used as a lock.

I would rather keep Suafoa than Plumtree if Rush is to replace one of them. However with the concern re: Robinsons health I would be ok with keeping Plumtree also to cover that 6/lock role (though its disappointing that he has not been able to maintain a regular starting spot for the Lions). Then if Robinson is OK he plays as the 4th Lock. If we pick new Lock I I would be OK with Hallam-Eames who seems to be a hard worker and goes well for Northland.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Big questions over who will be the new lock in the squad

I think Beehre is ready for SR. He has a good edge to his play

[Stargazer]

@Tim Riccitelli's contract with the Blues includes 2023 (2-year contract).

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth I also like what I have seen of Beehre. Would defiantly have him on an apprentice/WTG deal. I can't find his stats anywhere but he appears to have excellent bulk and ok height for a 20 year old tight lock.

[Winger]

@Daffy-Jaffy he started to begin with at 6 but his form wasnt great. And Delany has been much better at 6

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

@Duluth I also like what I have seen of Beehre. Would defiantly have him on an apprentice/WTG deal. I can't find his stats anywhere but he appears to have excellent bulk and ok height for a 20 year old tight lock.

118kg according to the Auckland media guide link

Shame that doesn't have the heights

[Bovidae]

So the NPC media guide info isn't consistent across teams. No surprise!

[Tim]

@Stargazer Thanks!

[Tim]

@Duluth If he's that big already, then after a full Super Rugby off season he should ready for it.

[Nogusta]

@Daffy-Jaffy I may have been off the mark with Leo. Che Clarke is the other 7s player the Blues are considering or may have already signed to full-time gigs.

[george33]

@Nogusta if herd che has signed big talent

[TheMojoman]

@Crucial said in Blues 2023:

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Huge year for Darry, can he bulk up to 120 kg+

That would make for a huge second row given the size of Tuipulotu.

I can’t see Darry getting to 120KG

[taniwharugby]

I think the Blues would do well to get Kali Vaipulu into the dev side, he is a big man, mobile with skills.