Blues 2023

[Winger]

@Duluth said in Blues 2023:

@Tim

Tuipulotu is 1.98 apparently. Same as Robinson. Tucker 1.97

Scott Barrett is 1.97 which isn’t an issue

Then there’s wingspan.. a more meaningful stat would be height with arms above the head etc etc

Power in the scrum might be more of an issue? Hard to know unless we get some Blues props posting here

Blackwell's 1.90. yet somehow he does ok in the lineouts. Esp with a tall lock partner like Bird and a good lineout 6

[antipodean]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

Confirming Romano won't be back -
"Congratulations on a career to remember! Doors always open for you" 💙

This surprises me somewhat. I think Barry needs more kilos and NZ Rugby isn't overwhelmed with (genuine) locks.

[Mackerzzzz]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

@Mackerzzzz Choat played every game last year. They want his 7 skills off the bench.

That doesn't necessarily mean he should have?!...🤣🧐

[Tim]

Super Rugby, Sport, Rugby, Rugby Sevens

Next generation star? Former All Black icon's son signs with NZ rugby side

He made headlines in high school. Now he's about to follow in his dad's famous footsteps.

[Winger]

@Tim Canes didn't even try . The other 4 did. Thankfully the crusaders missed out. We need an even super rugby and crusaders grabbing lots of the best young players will ensure it never happens

[Canes4life]

@Winger said in Blues 2023:

@Tim Canes didn't even try . The other 4 did. Thankfully the crusaders missed out. We need an even super rugby and crusaders grabbing lots of the best young players will ensure it never happens

The Canes have Love, Moorby and Barrett who can all play fullback, and they are all young so no real room, I guess.

[Stargazer]

@Tim So that will be a development contract. I wish SR franchises would just publish a complete list! Only the Highlanders sometimes publish the names of development players.

[Daffy Jaffy]

INAUGURAL MICHAEL GARNER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT — Blues Rugby

Promising Blues U18 Development player and New Zealand Secondary Schools representative, Xavi Taele, will remain in Auckland for his tertiary education after receiving the inaugural Michael Garner Scholarship. Michael Garner was a Managing Director of PIC Insurance Brokers who tragically lost a sho

[Stargazer]

[Tim]

@Nogusta Any news on Blues WTG squad members?

[Nogusta]

@Tim I think they reassemble on Thursday so be interesting to see who turns up!

[Nogusta]

@Tim said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Nogusta Any news on Blues WTG squad members?

Managed to find out some names.
Sorry, dunno how to shift this over to the Blues thread.

Sam Hainsworth
Kade Banks
Lucas Cashmore
Heremaia Murray
Rory Woods
Essendon Tuitupou

[Daffy Jaffy]

WTG players that Nogusta mentioned in another thread responding to a question from Tim.

"Managed to find out some names."

Sam Hainsworth
Kade Banks
Lucas Cashmore
Heremaia Murray
Rory Woods
Essendon Tuitupou

Looks like Lucas wants to play for his dad's team.

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

WTG players that Nogusta mentioned in another thread

I’ve moved those posts to this thread now

[Tim]

@Nogusta awesome thanks!

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Nogusta Looks like McKenzie and Ekuasi, who were there last season, may have suffered from Ieremia giving them almost zero game time for Auckland in favour of Aussies and journeymen.

[taniwharugby]

@Nogusta glad Murray gets a shot.

Think @Steven-Harris mentioned Woods was likely to end up in 7s so is good he will get to train with the blues.

[Bovidae]

I expect a lot of the WTG players will be younger than normal due to MLR attracting the players that would usually fill those positions.

[KiwiMurph]

Really pleased to see Cashmore in that group - he's shown more than Mckenzie (admittedly limited opportunities) and Blues will have an open spot the following season once Beauden leaves.

Murray unlucky not to get a full contract somewhere so good to see him selected.

[Daffy Jaffy]

THE KING IS BACK! — Blues Rugby

Former Blues superstar and fan favourite, Carlos Spencer, is back where he made a name for himself - signing on as the nib Blues women’s Backs Coach for Super Rugby Aupiki 2023. Spencer, a member of the inaugural Blues side from 1996 played 99 times in nine seasons for the club and said he is “beyo