Blues 2024

Bovidae

Laghlan is a real character. Hopefully he is over his injuries now and plays a full season of SR and NPC.

taniwharugby

He seems to have some genuine size to him as well...often you see players up close.and think they aren't as big as they look on TV

Duluth

Super Rugby, Sport, Rugby

Super Rugby Pacific: Scotland’s loss is Blues’ gain as rookie fullback makes distinct impression - NZ Herald

Cole Forbes was almost capped by Scotland but will now make his first start for the Blues.

KiwiMurph

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350234152/hoskins-sotutu-pulls-double-duty-forward-and-back-blues

The 25-year-old is hoping to pull on the black jersey again under new coach Scott Robertson and said he was viewing consistency as the key to higher honours.

“Being able to put out good performances, like I know I can, and then being able to back it up every week.

“I can't be the guy that they talk about one game and then the next game, I have a lesser game.

“It's about being able to have big moments every game.”

It’s unlikely any of those “big moments” will come as a back again this season, but if an injury crisis does strike, Cotter knows he has a versatile loose forward he can call on.

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“He's one of those players that can play anywhere, because he's smart,” the coach said of Sotutu.

“He's got the skill set and he's got the physicality to be able to play in any position.

“We put him at 12, but he has played a lot of 10. He understands the playmaking role. He understands the field position, when you split your centres in defence.

“He's an outstanding rugby player – he's one of the most skilful, outstanding players I've ever coached.”

Duluth

Who would you pick at lock when Tuipulotu & Darry are back?

Patrick will start

Then McWhannell, Beehre & Darry will compete for the other other starting spot and a bench jersey

antipodean

McWhannell is playing too well to leave out other to keep him fresh IMO.

ruggabee

I imagine Darry will be left out, seems to lack the physicality to dominate at this level, he's the lightest by weight too.

KiwiMurph

@ruggabee He looked better in round 1 but needs to stay on the park

Duluth

The injury update from the post match press conference was:

Darry was close to being ready against the Force. So he should be back for the Brumbies game.
Zarn should be back a couple of weeks after that (v Rebels?)
Perofeta's injury was expected to be 2-4 weeks

So it sounds like the return dates are bit shorter than initially reported.

Kirwan

Darry (who looks to have bulked up this year) was playing great before the injury, should get another start.

No need to play McWhannel into the ground. Then I’d rotate between those three

Daffy Jaffy

From Stuff -
Three rounds into Super Rugby, the Blues’ line had been breached 10 times, with the Highlanders running in for five tries and the Hurricanes for four in consecutive weeks.

In the four rounds since then, the Blues have conceded just a pair of five-pointers – one in the 78th minute of their scrappy 12-10 away win over the Waratahs in round four, and one in the 38th minute of their 47-8 win over Moana Pasifika, when they were already ahead 28-3.

Around those two matches, they kept the Crusaders and the Western Force – in a 50-3 win on Friday – scoreless.

Yes, the Blues’ run of conceding just two tries in 320 minutes of action has come against the teams currently in the bottom four spots on the ladder, but given that they have called on 26 different starters in those matches, it’s worth noting.

Daffy Jaffy

Cameron Suafoa having treatment for Cancer

Kirwan

Man, that’s tough news. Remarkable that’s been training and playing this year at all. Hope he has it beaten.

KiwiMurph

What a nice couple. Can only hope for the best

sparky

@Daffy-Jaffy Horrible news. All the best to him and his medical team for a swift and full recovery.

Duluth

Obviously I agree with all the sentiments above, I will ask the rugby question though.

The 25-year-old, who has been playing for the Blues this season despite undergoing radiation, is now temporarily stepping away from rugby to focus on his treatment.

So he's stepping away from rugby for a while. Have the Blues added anyone to the squad (Annandale?). Or are they comfortable with the locks returning and the depth at loose forward? An extra space in the squad could be useful for when the Japan season ends..