Blues 2024

[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..

[Daffy Jaffy]

How young Blues midfielder overcame three ACL knee injuries

Auckland were NPC semi-finalists in 2022 with Corey Evans making a dozen appearances and earning a Super Rugby contact.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Just watching some footage of Blues practice on CGW and Jason O'Halloran was there. I hope he is well and fully back on deck.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Duluth]

Blues players in club rugby this weekend. Evans having a run at 10

[george33]

Sounds like Perofeta 2 weeks away, and Christie 3-4 weeks

[george33]

Medical report saying Perofeta 3 weeks, and Christie week by week , Vern did say Perofeta will be back hopefully 2 weeks,and Christie couple weeks after that

[KiwiMurph]

I could be hearing things but I thought after the match I heard Cotter say Suafoa is back training and might even play again this season.

[SBW1]

Has Harford got a run this year for the Blues?