Blues 2023
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I think the Blues would do well to get Kali Vaipulu into the dev side, he is a big man, mobile with skills.
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@taniwharugby When the All Blacks trained up in Kerikeri against some live opposition they were blown away by Vaipulu’s size and agility..
Sam Cane had quite a lengthy chat with him , he’s definitely one we need to keep an eye on .. -
@Steven-Harris Any idea why he didn't make the Northland Squad for this year? I know we were reasonably well stocked at lock but sounds like he could've been better for the experience
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@Chiefy07 was in the dev squad, but you answered the question yourself:Goodhue, Caird, Hallam-Eames, Craig, Robinson, plus Dewes doesn't seem big on development
4 players with super experience at lock and the last in a super environment too.
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@taniwharugby Sounds like a better prospect than Craig though who is probably a bit under sized
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@KiwiMurph one year only eh?
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@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
@KiwiMurph one year only eh?
Yeah I wonder if he's betting on himself to have a big 2023 RWC given his 2019 RWC was rather disappointing or maybe he's after a change of scenery given he debuted for the Blues and ABs back in 2016. Touch wood he stays injury free he should be on/around 70 AB tests by the end of the RWC so you'd think 100 AB tests would be a carrot. He'll go close to bringing up 100 Blues caps next year too.
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Key All Black signs new deal but only for one season
The All Blacks have secured another player until after the World Cup.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2023:
@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
@KiwiMurph one year only eh?
Yeah I wonder if he's betting on himself to have a big 2023 RWC given his 2019 RWC was rather disappointing or maybe he's after a change of scenery given he debuted for the Blues and ABs back in 2016. Touch wood he stays injury free he should be on/around 70 AB tests by the end of the RWC so you'd think 100 AB tests would be a carrot. He'll go close to bringing up 100 Blues caps next year too.
The worldwide market is hardly strong at the moment. Most NH teams would struggle to fit him in to salary caps and the Japan market will be saturated post RWC. Probably just keeping his options open.
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Confirming Romano won't be back -
"Congratulations on a career to remember! Doors always open for you" 💙
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@Daffy-Jaffy he was great for us this year. Top effort by the big guy
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The Blues site 'Squad' page has today deleted five player profiles.
Karl T, Goodhue, Jordan Lay, Tamati Tua and Romano. We know that Tuipulotu, Fisitua and probably Rob Rush are coming in, so that leaves only the sixth prop and a midfield /winger ( possibly Caleb Tangitau from the sevens) to surprise us tomorrow. With no apparent 2nd lock replacement and with Rush joining the loose forwards suggests that they will use Robinson, Plumtree and/or Suafoa at lock. -
@Daffy-Jaffy I think @Nogusta posted that Jordan Lay was a one year injury replacement for James Lay.
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@Tim That would make sense. I had forgotten about James Lay. He was solid in 2020 and was heavily involved in all the community work this year while injured so is likely to return. I think it was Nogusta that mentioned Tangitau also. With him and James Lay that could be the squad completed. We await a curve ball in the morning.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:
@Tim We await a curve ball in the morning.
Could Che Clark be considered a curve ball?
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@Daffy-Jaffy Tele'a did his ACL late in the season this year, so he might be out for much of the 2023 season. Might be an injury replacement for him?
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:
The Blues site 'Squad' page has today deleted five player profiles.
Karl T, Goodhue, Jordan Lay, Tamati Tua and Romano. We know that Tuipulotu, Fisitua and probably Rob Rush are coming in, so that leaves only the sixth prop and a midfield /winger ( possibly Caleb Tangitau from the sevens) to surprise us tomorrow. With no apparent 2nd lock replacement and with Rush joining the loose forwards suggests that they will use Robinson, Plumtree and/or Suafoa at lock.Where's Tamati Tua off to? A pity, he was just starting to hit his straps.
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@TheMojoman Brumbies, I think.
