Blues 2019

[Kiwidom]

@tim No Akira Ioane on that list , is he off contract soon ? A mate spotted him in a Wellington hotel yesterday with the Canes coaches. He could be the replacement for Brad Shields for next season

[African Monkey]

@kiwidom I was thinking that. Certainly wouldn't suprise me if it happened.

[Tim]

@kiwidom Both Ioane's are only contracted to the end of this year.

[Hooroo]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@kiwidom Both Ioane's are only contracted to the end of this year.

I see Reiko is linked with the Chiefs too.
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I can't back that up

[taniwharugby]

@hooroo

[Tim]

If we've got the Ioanes, then recruitment priorities become a bit clearer.

1 Hooker
Karl Tu’inukuafe
1 Tighthead
1 Blindside
1 Number 8
1 Halfback
1 2nd 5
1 Centre
1 Fullback/Wing - Shaun Stevenson

Depending on injuries we might need another set-piece lock.

[booboo]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

If we've got the Ioanes, then recruitment priorities become a bit clearer.

1 Hooker
Karl Tu’inukuafe
1 Tighthead
1 Blindside
1 Number 8
1 Halfback
1 2nd 5
1 Centre
1 Fullback/Wing

Depending on injuries we might need another set-piece lock.

Fuck off Aucklander

[Tim]

@booboo He's a Takapuna boy!

[Duluth]

@tim

A commentator this weekend suggested he was going “south”. I presume that meant the Highlanders

[ARHS]

@duluth
Did someone also say Hames is going to Crusaders next year - or was that a leg-pull?

[booboo]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@booboo He's a Takapuna boy!

He's a Chief now North Shore Yuppie...

[Duluth]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12082224

[Tim]

@duluth Who do you want in the midfield next year? Especially in games where SBW is unavailable.

[Duluth]

@tim

Michael Little! But I assume he still has Japanese commitments..

I think Rieko is good enough to play 13 most of the time at SR level and move back to the wing for the ABs. It's probably the best use of resources for the Blues.

When SBW is out? I have no idea. The NPC might advance some of the fringe players chances Tua, Manu, Leger or maybe even Plummer. No standouts there. So maybe Collins by default? Bleh

Little would solve that

[KiwiMurph]

@duluth @Tim I'd throw Tele'a in as an option at 12 as well. Looks to have a big future.

[Duluth]

This is not something I want to happen.. but would Umaga sign a 36 year old Nonu?

[Hooroo]

@duluth said in Blues 2019:

This is not something I want to happen.. but would Umaga sign a 36 year old Nonu?

For one season, would that be such a disaster? He would provide a tonne of stability in the midfield.

[Steven Harris]

Just heard through my contact that both Ioane boys have resigned with the Blues,but for only the 2019 season,apparently the NZRFU got involved.
Much will depend on how Blues perform next year if both brothers are to stay with the Auckland franchise.
Akira apparently feels his game is being held back and to develop further a change a scene was on the table,which in my opinion is a fair assessment .
Says a little more out the coaching or non coaching..
What I am quite interested in,now that they have signed Leon McDonald..Is Alister Rogers still in the mix and is Steve Jackson worth persisting with..?
Personally I would have Tom Coventry as my forward coach given what I have heard from several players.

[Duluth]

@hooroo

Third time lucky!

Depends who turns up. The guy who played for the ABs or that guy that caused shit at the Blues
Maybe he would behave himself for Tana?

It’s unlikely anyway.. just throwing his name out there

[Duluth]

@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:

is Steve Jackson worth persisting with..?

No

There's been no accountability with the head coach. We can at least hope for a clean out of the rest of them
(I would only keep Afeaki)