Blues 2019
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Blues Under 20s team named to play Hurricanes Under 20s in Palmerston North:
1 Leon Thambiran
2 Ollie Shepherd
3 Rob Cobb (cc)
4 Max Hicks
5 Kalin Felise
6 Rob Rush
7 Tamarau McGahan
8 Tovo Faleafa
9 Brad McNaughten (cc)
10 Zarn Sullivan
11 Heremaia Murray
12 Nikau Graham
13 Lemeki Namoa
14 Jack Gray
15 John Cooper16 Soane Vikena
17 Leka Tu'ungafasi
18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu
19 Felix Kalapu
20 Noah Perelini
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Kakau Muli
23 Lewini Mocevakaca
24 Junior Mautitia
25 Cameron Hey
26 Isi Manu
27 Meli Turugaca
28 Te Ariki Te Puni
29 Sean Vete
30 Joel Cobb -
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12201851
These guys and the recruitment guy, who's name I forget, should also be included in the clearout for sure.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Kirwan the High Performance guy Hanks is the recruitment guy.
Right, the most ironic job title in the blues for the last five years.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
NZ Herald link
This is what a good board does. Makes changes. Shows how Hart and MacKinnon seem to be making a real difference. Fark mid season reappointments of coaches who aren't performing ... the broom's out, and it feels good at last
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STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake -
13 Ma’a Nonu
Interesting
SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
13 Ma’a Nonu
Interesting
SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?
I think so. There's not a lot of other options. It has been made clear Rieko will be a wing first, Aumua and Tele'a have very little Super Rugby experience.
Speaking of Tele'a interesting to see him on the wing.
Matich seems to be leading the race to be the cover whilst Gibson is out.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas AoakeStong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.
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@Duluth Yeah, this is the most interesting aspect of the selection. Looks like they'll start the Crusaders game with Faiane and Nonu, with SBW on the bench?
If Perofeta is at 15, will they have three backs on the bench, or use an extra forward?
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Interesting that Nock, Scrafton, and Pierce aren't getting game time, despite training with the team. Wonder if they're still finishing injury rehab?
That would explain the presence of Grooby, Tucker, and Riedlinger-Kapa. Although one of those two locks could be cover for Tuipulotu.
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@Tim Also Duffie, Trainor, Brown and Tupou have seen no game time pre season. I suspect they are all in rehab from injuries of some sort. Also Lindenmuth was injured in the first practice hit out with the Chiefs. It looks like Goodhue may have the inside running to pair with Tuipulotu first up as he's been picked to start both preseason games. It might be an inspired choice. While my jury is still out on him he was sensational the day he played against his brother for Northland in 2017. I think he scored 3 tries as did his brother.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Tupou has been confirmed as unavailable due to still recovering from his ACL injury. Brown has been reported as injured too (twisted ankle?). Be interested to know the status of the others.
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@number9 said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas AoakeStong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.
It's a warm up game for the players FFS and all squad players that have put the effort in training deserve a chance to stake their claim. Any good coach would do that if they want competition for places. They have looked at Perofeta at 15, now he gets a shot at 10.
As for Ruru, I do have to chuckle as the same comment was being made last year of 'the coaches are idiots, Ruru should start' until he did take the field and stunk it up. I hope he is better this year. -
Found the match programme for this game.
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