Blues 2017

[Crucial]

Tana has a pretty good eye for talent spotting. Maybe he has found the 10 that the Blues need and grabbed him early, even if he isn't ready yet.

[Bones]

Just so it's noted, I talked up Collins years ago. When he was a centre. And disappeared into obscurity

[KiwiMurph]

Im a Perofeta fan - good signing.

[rotated]

Pretty uninspiring signings so far from Umaga, although it is a down year for free agents admittedly.

[SammyC]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:

Im a Perofeta fan - good signing.

Watched him a couple of times last year and wondered why he was playing heartland rugby.

Looks to be a smart player and a good kicker.

[Wurzel]

You'd hope Tana is showing Harry Plummer some love. It's early days yet, but if a player like him flourished elsewhere it would be a disaster for Auckland/Blues rugby

[KiwiMurph]

@SammyC Yes he looks to also have a natural running aspect to his game too. I thought he was the more impressive of the NZ U20s 10s this year.

[African Monkey]

@rotated SBW, Pulu, Manu and now Perofeta. Not inspired by Collins coming but I'd hardly say that it's been uninspiring recruitment so far.

[KiwiMurph]

@African-Monkey Jimmy Tupou also a solid signing.

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph Forgot about Tupou and Hodgman who is also a very good signing, he just hasn't had a chance to prove himself at Super level behind Moody and Crockett. Wouldn't suprise me if Hodgman starts next year.

[pukunui]

Did TNW end up signing?

[Stargazer]

@pukunui said in Blues 2017:

Did TNW end up signing?

I try to keep up with all the signings, but as far as I know, he's still in Japan and hasn't signed with any SR franchise yet (or a team anywhere else).

[Crucial]

@Wurzel said in Blues 2017:

You'd hope Tana is showing Harry Plummer some love. It's early days yet, but if a player like him flourished elsewhere it would be a disaster for Auckland/Blues rugby

His names suggests he should be playing for England.

[African Monkey]

@pukunui http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/85378694/tim-nanaiwilliams-resigns-with-chiefs-after-spell-in-japan

[cgrant]

Harry Plumer is an outstanding prospect, at least as a goalkicker. He was very good against the Aussie schoolboys.

[Crucial]

@cgrant said in Blues 2017:

Harry Plumer is an outstanding prospect, at least as a goalkicker. He was very good against the Aussie schoolboys.

He does look the goods doesn't he? I would assume someone has him tied into something. Needs a season of NPC but you'd be silly to let another team get him first if you had an option.

[cgrant]

Trask, who played for the NZ Barbarians against Fiji, showed a few touches of class in that game. I don't remember the name of the Waikato 1st Five who played in the NZ schools final but he is another one who has a big future ahead. NZ are blessed with very good 1st Fives, too many in fact as a good number will head north ...

[Crucial]

@cgrant said in Blues 2017:

Trask, who played for the NZ Barbarians against Fiji, showed a few touches of class in that game. I don't remember the name of the Waikato 1st Five who played in the NZ schools final but he is another one who has a big future ahead. NZ are blessed with very good 1st Fives, too many in fact as a good number will head north ...

However the Blues always manage to not find one of a high enough quality.

I hope for their sake that they get the early selection right this time around and they are locking in Barrett's rather than Bleyendaals.

[Bovidae]

@cgrant Rameka Poihipi - the Ham BHS captain and 1st 5/2nd 5?

There is another 1st 5 from Waikato that has a big future called Matty Lansdown. He was the 1st 5 of the champion Waikato Junior team and trialled for the NZ U20s.

[cgrant]

Yes, I was talking about Lansdown (it wasn't the NZ schools final but the Hobbs tournament with Waikato vs Auckland in the final).