Blues 2023
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@KiwiMurph that’s the big difference between the Blues and other franchises, they have trust in their full squad sure theirs been injuries but the coaches have no issues picking deep in their squad
Corey Evans is in 2nd year at the Blues , is a 2nd five but loses out to a fellow who wants play first and 2nd five but is a master of none -
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2023:
@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2023:
@SouthernMann he will at least get game time , Rob Rush opted for the Blues as opposed to the Highlanders because it was only a 2 and half hour drive if required for his club Mid Northern, needless to say he’s getting plenty of club rugby at the minute.
I can't imagine the plan with Rush was ever to get much gametime this year with the Blues other loosie options.
A bit like Suafoa last year.
Also Segner has got some good game time this year. He’s at a similar stage of his career to Rush.
It might be the more time he’s been in the system. Or maybe he’s doing some things better in training/off the field to get those chances. As long as the communication is clear I don’t care.. no one is entitled to starts
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@Steven-Harris To me Plummer has rewarded the faith by playing well at 12 and usurping RTS. He didn't look nearly as comfortable at 10 last week.
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@Steven-Harris What were they meant to do with Narawa? We have Telea, Clarke and AJ Lam ahead of him, someone had to miss out and it was him, and now he's doing great at the Chiefs. Good on him.
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@African-Monkey He had a series of injuries too.
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@KiwiMurph if this is what the Blues coaches have arrived at in terms of development when it comes to such a key position, you have got to shake your head ,they have used Tanielu Tele’a ,Bryce Heem and selected RTS as a shot in the dark which obviously has’nt played out ,
Neither Plummer ,Tele’a or Heem are’nt progressive selections moving forward at this franchise
Have a look at the midfield quality at the other franchises, the fact they are looking outside the Franchise says one hell of a lot -
@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2023:
@KiwiMurph if this is what the Blues coaches have arrived at in terms of development when it comes to such a key position, you have got to shake your head ,they have used Tanielu Tele’a ,Bryce Heem and selected RTS as a shot in the dark which obviously has’nt played out ,
Neither Plummer ,Tele’a or Heem are’nt progressive selections moving forward at this franchise
Have a look at the midfield quality at the other franchises, the fact they are looking outside the Franchise says one hell of a lotYeah, it says our All Black 12 is going to league and has opened up a spot.
Plummer and Heem are quality super rugby players.
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@Steven-Harris we'll have to wait and see what the Blues midfield ends up being next year.
They may be looking to bring someone through from Blues U20s and want some experience to go with it (they had Tuitupou playing in preseason).
You clearly don't rate Plummer but they are trying to win a comp this year and he's playing well at 12. He's 24, experienced (50+ Blues caps) and has come through in big games in his rugby career (match winning kicks in 2021 Trans Ta$man Final, 2018 NPC Final, 2022 NPC Quarterfinal etc). Whilst he struggled at 10 last week, his ability to cover 10 is important in the 23 with Perofeta not around. Perhaps it won't be good enough and he'll get exposed at the business end of the comp. We'l have to wait and see.
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@African-Monkey Narawa just flat out didn't get much opportunity. Came on early in Rd 3 (2021 season) vs the Landers and killed it then was never sighted.
Coaches didn't like his 'quiet' 'laidback' 'doesn't talk enough' 'lazy trainer' etc etc demeanour.
The ol nuggets they usually roll out for the Fijian boys -
@Nogusta said in Blues 2023:
@African-Monkey Narawa just flat out didn't get much opportunity. Came on early in Rd 3 (2021 season) vs the Landers and killed it then was never sighted.
Coaches didn't like his 'quiet' 'laidback' 'doesn't talk enough' 'lazy trainer' etc etc demeanour.
The ol nuggets they usually roll out for the Fijian boysSotutu mentioned this in an interview once in relation to himself, seems a bit of a blind spot for a team based in Auckland!
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2023:
I liked seeing the emotion on display here, as JK said afterwards it’s important to see this.
Good family man.
Obviously he's despised by many outside of Auckland and on here, but it's been guys like him (and a few others) who have changed our fortunes from being easy beats to becoming one of the stronger sides in the comp. We'd usually lose talent like him over the years but him staying and serving the side for many years now has also helped others stay in the region and many other teammates speak highly of his influence in the side. Seasons like 2018, where we barely won a game, yet he played every minute of that campaign and carried the side on his own, yet still missed out on national selection that year somehow, but to his credit he stuck at it, finally got his opportunity in 2020, and will always go down as a Blues legend no matter what his critics have to say about him.
Well done to a champion player.
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