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Blues 2023

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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to Steven Harris on last edited by
    #419

    @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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  • A Offline
    A Offline
    African Monkey
    replied to Steven Harris on last edited by
    #420

    @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.

    TimT N 2 Replies Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to African Monkey on last edited by
    #421

    @African-Monkey He had a series of injuries too.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    Steven Harris
    replied to KiwiMurph on last edited by Steven Harris
    #422

    @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

    KirwanK KiwiMurphK 2 Replies Last reply
    1
  • KirwanK Offline
    KirwanK Offline
    Kirwan
    replied to Steven Harris on last edited by Kirwan
    #423

    @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 lot

    Yeah, 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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  • KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurphK Offline
    KiwiMurph
    replied to Steven Harris on last edited by KiwiMurph
    #424

    @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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  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    wrote on last edited by
    #425

    MacDonald seems reluctant to use his younger backup players, and often they don't even get off the bench - like last week.

    taniwharugbyT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • N Offline
    N Offline
    Nogusta
    replied to African Monkey on last edited by Nogusta
    #426

    @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

    KirwanK 1 Reply Last reply
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  • taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugbyT Offline
    taniwharugby
    replied to Bovidae on last edited by
    #427

    @Bovidae TBF, this isnt exclusive to McDonald, it has always been a bit of an issue with the Blues in not trusting thier full squad, yet they still re-sign player year after year.

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  • KirwanK Offline
    KirwanK Offline
    Kirwan
    replied to Nogusta on last edited by
    #428

    @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 boys

    Sotutu 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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  • G Online
    G Online
    george33
    wrote on last edited by
    #429

    Perofeta available next week

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • KirwanK Offline
    KirwanK Offline
    Kirwan
    wrote on last edited by
    #430

    I liked seeing the emotion on display here, as JK said afterwards it’s important to see this.

    Good family man.

    A 1 Reply Last reply
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  • A Offline
    A Offline
    African Monkey
    replied to Kirwan on last edited by
    #431

    @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.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • KirwanK Offline
    KirwanK Offline
    Kirwan
    wrote on last edited by
    #432

    Couldn’t say it better. Very well liked by his teammates.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #433

    Who are the new locks that are available next year, who might be ready for regular game time?

    Beehre (Auckland), Craig (Northland), Kalapu (?/Force) come to mind.

    Will a new coach shake things up? Select more young players?

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #434

    Prop contracts:

    Josh Fusitua - 2025
    Ofa Tuʻungafasi - 2024
    Alex Hodgman - 2023
    Nepo Laulala - 2023
    James Lay - ?
    Marcel Renata - ?
    Jordan Lay - injury cover

    Could be looking for a few new ones for next season. Sione Ahio? Tito Tuipulotu?

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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #435

    Hooker contracts:

    Eklund - 2023
    Riccitelli - 2023
    Vikena - ?

    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to Tim on last edited by
    #436

    @Tim Vikena is contracted for the 2024 season.

    TimT 1 Reply Last reply
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  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    replied to Stargazer on last edited by
    #437

    @Stargazer Cheers. Do you have a link?

    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to Tim on last edited by
    #438

    @Tim https://web.archive.org/web/20201202195634/https://blues.rugby/2021-squad-named/

    TimT 1 Reply Last reply
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