Blues 2024

[Tim]

Byron Smith was an NZ U19 and Blues U20 first five.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim thought Adrian Choat was very good , I’m a little biased though

[Bovidae]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2023:

Was signed by the Western Force before the 2023 but never featured during the season

Rebelo was a late injury replacement starter against the Chiefs (played 64 mins). I remember he conceded at least one scrum penalty.

[george33]

@Steven-Harris totally agree my blues player of year

[Nogusta]

@Chris said in Blues 2023:

@Tim

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Maybe heading to the Crusaders

Signed with the Landers

[Chris]

@Nogusta
Cheers was one or the other.

[Nogusta]

@Chris and I believe Plumtree may be joining his old man at the Sharks

[Chris]

@Nogusta

Makes sense thanks mate

[Daffy Jaffy]

22 year old Tiaan Tauakipulu, former St Kents and NZ schoolboys prop is leaving the Waratahs, but don't know where he is going. I think he was injured allot during his 3 seasons with the Tahs. I don't know much about him but maybe a front row prospect if he wants to return home.

[African Monkey]

@Nogusta Good move. As was pointed out, going to the Crusaders is a waste of time for him as he'd be doing the same as what he was doing at the Blues.

Good luck to him.

[george33]

Mark Talea signed 2 more years

[Bovidae]

When is the new coach going to be announced? I would assume that the players must know and take this into consideration when deciding to re-sign or not.

[Duluth]

@Bovidae said in Blues 2023:

When is the new coach going to be announced? I would assume that the players must know and take this into consideration when deciding to re-sign or not.

Also who is making the decision on who to sign?

Annandale is an unusual signing that maybe points to Cotter or Jono Gibbes? Gibbes was apparently going to be Rennies assistant coach if he took the Blues job

This was interesting speculation in the Manawatu Standard regarding the Blues job:

We hear former Turbos coach Dave Rennie could have taken up the Blues coaching job had he wanted it, although he'd earlier committed himself to Kobe Steelers in Japan.

There he'll be joined by Manawatu's NZ under-20s' forwards coach Wesley Clarke as defence coach for two years.

The Blues position comes under the most heat because of the proximity of the national media outlets. Even tough diamond Frank Oliver couldn't wait to get out of the place because of the scrutiny.

Vern Cotter might pick up that job. Another former Manawatū coach, Jason O'Halloran, is back from Japan and was attack coach with Cotter with Scotland. Maybe he would be a fit up there.

[Stargazer]

[frugby]

That is a shame. I was CONVINCED Mark Telea was going to end up at the Highlanders!!

[Machpants]

@frugby said in Blues 2023:

That is a shame. I was CONVINCED Mark Telea was going to end up at the Highlanders!!

[Stargazer]

Jun 22, 2023

Vern Cotter set to replace Leon MacDonald as new Blues coach

1News understands the Blues are about to confirm Vern Cotter as their new head coach, replacing All Blacks-bound Leon MacDonald.

[george33]

✓✓✓

[Duluth]

It's understood the Blues and other teams are also chasing former Hurricanes captain Jason O'Halloran for their staffs.

That fits with that article posted earlier. He has history with Cotter so hopefully we get him too

I wonder what this means for the current Blues assistants?

[Duluth]

nzherald has a paywalled article about Cotter

• Contract not signed yet, expected to sign a two year deal soon
• He would take over next month before having a break to assist Romania at RWC
• Coventry unlikely to be renewed
• Schmidt may be involved
• Akira has signed with the Blues for two more years