Blues 2024

[cgrant]

In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.

[Duluth]

An interview with Laghlan McWhannell
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350270429/blues-lock-laghlan-mcwhannell-finally-gets-super-rugby-chance-after-shocking-injury

Good to see some better rugby coverage recently

[mariner4life]

@cgrant said in Blues 2024:

In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.

well, you know, more like 11th, after 3 soccer tournaments, two different olympics, Wimbledon, the Superbowl, and the NBA finals.

but your point about the European club game is super valid, and links in to @Duluth point about the competition. It's got history, and most importantly prestige. Also fans and media don't seem to spend their entire time either badmouthing the comp or talking about it in terms of international hopes.

For all that though, is there any domestic rugby comp in the world that is sustainable? English clubs are falling over themselves to go under. French clubs appear to be backed up by owners. Same in Japan. Are the players just paid too damn much for what they actually bring in? (at club level i mean).

Sorry, just realised this is the Blues thread.

[Duluth]

Sotutu signed with the Blues until the end of the 2026 season

Hoskins Sotutu Re-signed till 2026 — Blues Rugby

Powerhouse No.8 and form player of DHL Super Rugby Pacific, Hoskins Sotutu, has extended his time at the Blues through to the end of the 2026 season. Sotutu, a pivotal figure in the Blues squad, has shown outstanding form throughout the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, solidifying his status as

[Machpants]

@mariner4life said in Blues 2024:

@cgrant said in Blues 2024:

In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.

well, you know, more like 11th, after 3 soccer tournaments, two different olympics, Wimbledon, the Superbowl, and the NBA finals.

but your point about the European club game is super valid, and links in to @Duluth point about the competition. It's got history, and most importantly prestige. Also fans and media don't seem to spend their entire time either badmouthing the comp or talking about it in terms of international hopes.

For all that though, is there any domestic rugby comp in the world that is sustainable? English clubs are falling over themselves to go under. French clubs appear to be backed up by owners. Same in Japan. Are the players just paid too damn much for what they actually bring in? (at club level i mean).

Sorry, just realised this is the Blues thread.

French clubs are doing fine and not relying sugar daddies, their TV contact is big 550 million US for for years

[cgrant]

In terms of attendances, the last RWC in France attracted some 3,7 millions people in the stadiums.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Toyota Verblitz did not make the semi finals so BB should be finished in Japan. Might be perfect timing with Sullivan likely gone for the rest of the comp. As good as Coles and Plummer have been depth and experience are always good.

[gt12]

@Daffy-Jaffy

From that interview last week, players like BB can’t play in the finals and would require a dispensation to play in the regular season. He specifically referred to Barrett if I recall.

[Duluth]

Sullivan's injury didn't look good. His previous knee injury kept him out for 6 weeks.

Assuming he's gone for a few weeks at least, what would your top Blues backline look like?

Where does Perofeta fit? Does Plummer stay at 10 or shift to 12 etc?

[Tim]

@Duluth I think you have to stick with Heem at 12. Maybe move Perofeta to 15 and have another kicking option.

[Duluth]

@Tim

..and Plummer is going well at 10

Do you break up the 9/10 partnership when Christie returns? Another close call

Bench: A Halfback, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes

[KiwiMurph]

@Duluth said in Blues 2024:

Do you break up the 9/10 partnership when Christie returns? Another close call

I suspect it will happen but it would be a mistake in my view. Funaki's error rate is miles lower than Chrstie's and he suits the way the Blues play.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Duluth]

An interview with Forbes:

Emerging Blues star credits Scotland stint for growing through youthful impatience

Forbes returned to New Zealand in 2023 after two and half seasons in Scotland with the Glasgow Warriors. He’s proved to be a revelation.

[KiwiMurph]

[Duluth]

Good to see him commit

He needs more time in the midfield but he's starting to play bit like Heem. A 12/13/wing utility is so useful.

[nzzp]

Great to see. Crusaders did this for years - kept solid Super players around as they enjoyed the environment and the rugby. Feels like there's been a cultural turnaround over the last few years that is paying off

[Kirwan]

He's the sort of player that we used to lose, so important (like Heem) to the team's success. The last game he was particularly good swapping in for RI.

[KiwiMurph]

If Rieko takes a sabbatical Lam is putting himself in pole position as the starting 13

[Daffy Jaffy]