Blues 2018
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@tim Tamoaieta started ahead of Mafaleo all season which says something, although I thought his fitness and scrummaging were found out a bit towards the end of the season by more experienced props. But with full time training and coaching he could be good. I like Renata's energy around the field and he is always near the top of tackle counts. However his scrummaging is a major work on and a risk at super level. This Maori tour should be good for him. Would love to get Fahamokoia out of Wellington for loose head. He would be great off the bench. Love those Tongan props. I heard a while ago that Angus Ta'avao did not have a contract. He would bring experience and his scrummaging has been more consistant since being with Taranaki.
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If the Blues "past players" page is accurate, then the following 34 players are confirmed. Squads can be up to 38 + injury cover + WTG.
Props
Pauliasi Manu
Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione MafileoHooker
James Parsons
Matt Moulds
Leni ApisaiLock
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Scrafton
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Josh GoodhueLoose Forward
Blake Gibson (7)
Jerome Kaino (6,8)
Akira Ioane (6,8)
Jimmy Tupou (6, lock)
Dalton Papali'i (6, 7)
Kara Pryor (7)
Murphy Taramai (6,7,8)Halfback
Augustine Pulu
Sam Nock
Jonathan Ruru1st 5
Stephen Perofeta
Otere Black
Bryn GatlandMidfield
SBW
George Moala
Rieko Ioane
T.J. Faiane
Matty JohnsonWing/Fullback
Matt Duffie
Melani Nanai
Michael Collins
Jordan Trainor
Caleb ClarkeOut
Charlie Faumaina
Steven Luatua
Ihaia West
Piers Francis
Rene Ranger
Sam Prattley
Billy Guyton
Declan O'Donnell
Branden Nansen
Matt VaegaThis leaves four players + 1st 5 injury cover to be named. The four are probably a loosehead prop, a tighthead prop, a lock, and a loose forward. Maybe another back in place of lock/loose-forward.
My guesses: Ross Wright (prefer Chris Eves) and Mike Tamoaieta for the props, and Marty McKenzie for replacement 10. Lock and loose-forward I have no idea. For lock I guess Robinson and Frizell might be options. Manihera or Moala-Liava'a at 8.
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Likely XXIII:
- Hodgman
- Parsons
- Tu'ungafasi
- Tuipulotu
- Scrafton
- Kaino
- Gibson
- Ioane
- Pulu
- Perofeta
-- now the speculation starts -- - Ioane
- Faiane
- SBW
- Nanai
- Duffie
-- reserves are more predictable -- - Moulds
- Manu
- Tamoaieta
- Cowley-Tuioti
- Pryor/Papali'i/Taramai
- Nock
- Gatland
- Moala
Key question for the starting line-up: when is Scrafton back from injury. We rely on him heavily for set piece proficiency and organisation. We need an able replacement for that role.
I really like those tight-five replacements to put some heat on at set-piece in the 2nd half. It'd be great to have a ball-carrying 8 on the bench, especially with Kaino likely to have a lighter workload.
Midfield combo will be a big selection question. A lot of talent outside them.
Pulu's form may be the key. Really hoping for a big year from Nock.
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@tim Tom Robinson may be the 5th lock and my choice for 1st/5 cover would be Jade Te Rure. Just compared Vaega and Johnson's stats for the Mitre 10 and Johnson's stack up pretty well. He made 12 clean breaks to Vaega's 15 with much less game time and in a struggling team. Defense seems to be Vaega's major work on at only 73% (missed 22 tackles), although Johnsons was not perfect at 82%.
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@tim although Bond would be a good option too, very good tight lock!
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@taniwharugby With any luck, Goodhue will step up too.
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@tim said in Blues 2018:
Likely XXIII:
- Hodgman
- Parsons
- Tu'ungafasi
- Tuipulotu
- Scrafton
- Kaino
- Gibson
- Ioane
- Pulu
- Perofeta
-- now the speculation starts -- - Ioane
- Faiane
- SBW
- Nanai
- Duffie
-- reserves are more predictable -- - Moulds
- Manu
- Tamoaieta
- Cowley-Tuioti
- Pryor/Papali'i/Taramai
- Nock
- Gatland
- Moala
Key question for the starting line-up: when is Scrafton back from injury. We rely on him heavily for set piece proficiency and organisation. We need an able replacement for that role.
I really like those tight-five replacements to put some heat on at set-piece in the 2nd half. It'd be great to have a ball-carrying 8 on the bench, especially with Kaino likely to have a lighter workload.
Midfield combo will be a big selection question. A lot of talent outside them.
Pulu's form may be the key. Really hoping for a big year from Nock.
Tana Umaga will surely include Collins somewhere.
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The 2018 Blues squad is:
Hookers: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons.
Front row: Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou
Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai.
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Puli, Jonathan Ruru.
First Five: Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfield: Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melanie Nanai, Jordan Trainor.
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Good to see Tua there. Looks like they've focused on work-rate for loose forwards. Could do with another ball carrier in there.
Kirkpatrick is an absolute joke. Really hope he sees zero game time.
Wider Training Group might be important for cover at 8, lock, wing, and when Kirkpatrick is dumped.
Hope Gibson isn't out for long!
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I don't get the props? Apparently Salmon is a tight head which means we have 4 tight heads and 2 loose? Maybe Salmon can play both?.. It would be a shame to expect Tu'ungafaasi to switch when he is just starting to fulfill his promise at tight head. Unless that is in the AB selectors plans for him. .
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@daffy-jaffy its much better than any prop rotation involving Sam Prattley. Addition by subtraction.
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