Blues 2024

[george33]

Stephen Perofeta has resigned for 3 more years

[Kirwan]

[foobaNZ]

Hoped the Canes would get Perofeta.

I'd have had either of Black or Perofeta in the post Beauden years, however they all ended up at the Blues at once in multi year contracts.

[Steven Harris]

@Kirwan Good snag , there was a bit of work behind the scences that went into resigning Perofeta.
There 2 other franchise’s at play.

[Stargazer]

@Kirwan Interesting. He was already signed for 2024, so this was an extension for 2025-2026.

[KiwiMurph]

Good news for nz rugby with Mo'unga and Beauden (still to be 100% confirmed?) heading offshore.

He should have clear air for the Blues 10 jersey next season.

I'm a bit miffed why he doesn't play 10 more for the Naki (or the Blues for that matter) - an example of the fragmented nature of the NZ system - probably the 2nd best 10 in NZ going into next season and he's played very little 10 this year for either Blues or Naki.

[Steven Harris]

@KiwiMurph Naki are bloody spoilt for choices with both Jacomb who has been super impressive and Jason Potroz has been the perfect foil off the bench
I do say all this begrudgingly.

[KiwiMurph]

@Steven-Harris I understand that. But from a NZ rugby point of view Potroz won't even play Super and Jacomb will likely get very little to no game time as a newbie. Meanwhile a capped AB 10 who will be second in line on paper in the country next season hasn't been playing 10.

[george33]

Akira as we all new confirmed

[Stargazer]

[Kirwan]

@george33 said in Blues 2024:

Akira as we all new confirmed

Great news, good to see these senior players staying in New Zealand.

[KiwiMurph]

Excellent

Feels a make or break year for Akira with Cotter at the Blues and Razor at the ABs combined with the likes of Frizell and Ardie not being around for the ABs

[Nepia]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:

Excellent

Feels a make or break year for Akira with Cotter at the Blues and Razor at the ABs combined with the likes of Frizell and Ardie not being around for the ABs

It would be hilarious if Akira became a mainstay under Razor.

[Bovidae]

Savea will be back from Japan in June so is available for the ABs.

[SBW1]

Does that mean he will pay NPC in order to qualify?

[Stargazer]

@SBW1 Doesn't have to. He'll be on a sabbatical and is already signed with NZR/Hurricanes for 2025. It's not a player leaving and then coming back.

So, compare him with Whitelock and Retallick. Not with Dmac and TJ Perenara.

[frugby]

Akira Ioane won't play for the ABs ever again... Jase Ryan I think just about gets full say on his forward pack, and he turfed out Ioane this year, and with Frizell the only one departing, I don't see where the gap is. Will be behind Blackadder, Finau and quite possibly some new young talent.

[African Monkey]

@frugby Yeah, hard to disagree with that.

[KiwiMurph]

@frugby Ioane can play 8 as well and there's potentially a gap at 8 next year with Ardie overseas (though potentially not as noted above)

Also worth noting Akira was named in the ABXV that Ryan selected so seems a tad strong to say never play for ABs again.

[Kirwan]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:

@frugby Ioane can play 8 as well and there's potentially a gap at 8 next year with Ardie overseas (though potentially not as noted above)

I'd like to see him move back to 8 as well, uses his strengths well.

And it's up to Akira to perform at Super Rugby (again), if Ryan can't change his mind about players then he's a terrible coach. Already can see the whiff of blinkered Crusader biased selections so far with him.