Blues 2023

[Daffy Jaffy]

@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.

[Nogusta]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

@Tim We await a curve ball in the morning.

Could Che Clark be considered a curve ball?

[Tim]

@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?

[TheMojoman]

@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.

[Tim]

@TheMojoman Brumbies, I think.

[Daffy Jaffy]

The Rugby Pod guys confirmed that Rush and Tangitau are signed with the Blues.

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy Link?

[Bovidae]

@Tim They went through each team and discussed a few young players. Some were already known but others only speculated as having signed.

[Tim]

@Bovidae Rugbypass podcast?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Watched on Sky TV. Rugby Pass usually post the video of the show at some stage but not for a day or so. Repeated at midnight tonight on Sky sport 2.

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy thanks

[Bovidae]

@Tim

They talked to Matt Sexton while discussing these players.

[Canes4life]

2023 Blues squad.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Just five changes -
Tuipulotu for Romano
Rush for Goodhue
James Lay for Jordan Lay
Fisitua for Karl T.
Tangitau for Tua.

One less lock suggests Plumtree, Robinson, Suafoa to get time at Lock.
One less centre suggests Plummer, Lam and Heem to cover midfield.

[Canes4life]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

Just five changes -
Tuipulotu for Romano
Rush for Goodhue
James Lay for Jordan Lay
Fisitua for Karl T.
Tangitau for Tua.

One less lock suggests Plumtree, Robinson, Suafoa to get time at Lock.
One less centre suggests Plummer, Lam and Heem to cover midfield.

I thought JRK had departed the Blues? He obviously didn’t make enough of a statement in the NPC to pick up a contract elsewhere.

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy Robinson is a worry given how little gametime he had this npc.

3 news mentioned the squad and said Goodhue is a notable omission meaning he likely signed with another side...duh

[Steven Harris]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300720549/live-new-zealand-super-rugby-squad-announcements-for-2023

Just been announced
Very settled squad

[Tim]

Squad is loose forward heavy. Perhaps this indicates that their All Blacks will miss a few games in the World Cup year? Or there are injury concerns?

Only two tall locks is a concern.

[Canes4life]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Squad is loose forward heavy. Perhaps this indicates that their All Blacks will miss a few games in the World Cup year?

Only two tall locks is a concern.

Are you sure you weren’t meant to write this on the Canes thread.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Only two tall locks is a concern.

What's your cut off for tall? Darry is very tall. Darry and ?

1.98, 1.97 etc is tall enough when you have good targets in the loose forwards too. Sotutu and Akira are very good lineout options and Papali'i is solid too

Will be interesting to see who trains with the squad on dev contracts. Also does Robinson come back from his long injury layoff a little heavier