Blues 2017
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@Tim I can see us being without one of West or Gatland if Black is signed. I think West is probably the one worth keeping between the two because he could have a niche as an impact player off the bench. We also have Harry Plummer and Wiseguy Faiane on developmental contracts, which might factor in on how many 10s we keep next year.
For halfback, I'd be keen to pick up TTT if available. I like his skillset and upside. The good young halfbacks tend to come through at Super level around their 3rd or 4th year, and if we snag him, we'd get him in his 3rd year.
Trainor is definitely back next year having signed until 2019.
I'd give Clarke a spot(think he is already on the Blues' books in some capacity). He probably won't play much or at all next year if selected, but he can take one of O'Donnell's or Ranger's spot, since those two don't even play anyway. It'd be good for him just to be with the team full time.
I can definitely see Papali'i picking up the spot left behind by Luatua. I wouldn't mind us also making a play for Seu to add some depth and height in the backrow. He's a backrow/lock like Luatua, which could come in handy.
I'm definitely all for GPT coming back, but that ship might've sailed. Tana didn't pick him up two years in a row despite good form, but I'm still hoping. I'm all in on getting young Asafo Aumua, who has all the traits of the modern dynamic hooker. He has Coles and Riccitelli ahead of him down at the Canes, so he definitely seems like someone we could realistically pick up.
It sucks seeing Tupou take up a spot, but it's not so bad if he's well down the pecking order. However, I'd rather give his spot to a developmental lock in Sam Slade(covers 6 too) or Jacob Pierce though.
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Glad to see him moving for more game time. Sad to see him move on, but excited to see what he can develop into as a starting (hopefully!) pivot. A pity he's arriving when some great players like Charlie are moving and on.
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Otere would be good
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
Back 3 and midfield - pretty good. WIth SBW, Nanai, Ioane and others there's enough there to go forward
10 - looking hard
9 - serviceable, with potential (and previous form)
loosies - no problem
Locks - PT and Scott Scrafton look fine at this level
Front row - we'll miss Big Charlie, but Ofa, Parsons and Pauluisi Manu will be good enough
WE're not a complete package, but it's been 14 long years of looking up. Next year will clearly be our year
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@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
Otere would be good
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
Back 3 and midfield - pretty good. WIth SBW, Nanai, Ioane and others there's enough there to go forward
10 - looking hard
9 - serviceable, with potential (and previous form)
loosies - no problem
Locks - PT and Scott Scrafton look fine at this level
Front row - we'll miss Big Charlie, but Ofa, Parsons and Pauluisi Manu will be good enough
WE're not a complete package, but it's been 14 long years of looking up. Next year will clearly be our year
Does that mean they'll have the best spine in the comp ... oops sorry wrong thread/code ...
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alot of expectation being heaped on Black, if he does head north
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
alot of expectation being heaped on Black, if he does head north
Not from me! We're good solid mid table at the moment, if we can go fringe playoff that's a step up.
14 long years baby, 14 long years
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Was referring to this part of nzzp's comment.
@nzzp said in Blues 2017:
The team is setting up to have a decent 10 make some plays. Feels a bit like NFL teams investing in their offensive line - getting prepared for a 10 so they have something to play with.
We've got enough there for a decent 10 to want to come over.
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Yep Waterfront stadium sounds cool - a bit too good to be true but hopefully it gets gaining momentum.
Yeah Blues obviously cop a lot of flak but have been playing pretty darn well lately (without a really quality 10). Sure the maul defence needs some work and they struggle to go the full 80 but theyve consistently put together some good halves the last few games. The team certainly looks to have a bit of spine/belief about them. I think they've actually been playing better than the Highlanders the last couple of weeks but the Highlanders have managed to get over the line for some close wins.
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@KiwiMurph I keep banging on that if we were to win those two games against the highlanders (both very close), all of a sudden yuo're locked into playoff contention.
Narrow margins in this comp. Maybe we should secede and go and win the Aussie pool
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@nzzp expect the Aussies would then want access to some of the players too
