Blues 2019
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@Tim with most of the better midfielders locked in at other franchises ,looks like we are looking heavily towards the Mitre 10 Cup or possibly offshore to fill vacancies ..
I just suspect with the Blues they don’t always look to select a player that fits the needs of what is required ,it’s been a while since we have had a real thinking midfielder, we had one in Micheal Little but we were too quick to offload him and once given a chance in Sunwolves colours you just got to see how good this guy is..little is the sort of player I believe would enhance a player like Tumua Manua if he returned to the Blues because of his creative ability
Nonu and Faiane have been solid but to me at times lacked real creativity which showed up in a couple of games.
Nonu is always at his best either on off the top lineout ball or very quick ball with time something our forwards don’t always supply..I really think given the options they don’t have I would be working overtime to keep one of the 2 ,more likely Nonu, I have got plenty of time for SBW who incidentally will be available for selection against the Reds this weekend..I just think with SBW if injuries are starting to bite..
But if we can’t one the other will do ,still think we are gonna need experience.Wearing my Northland hat, I was up watching the Northland trials in Whangarei on Saturday it was great to see both Matt Johnson and Tamati Tua oppose each other ;I thought Johnson looked very solid and I was impressed Tua, looked like he’s bulked a bit and looked very solid, defensively he looked after Johnson very well...
Given that both have been with the Blues before,I will watching their Mitre 10 Cup form with great interestIf the rumours of Scott Gregory heading to the Highlanders are to be believed ,that’s a bit of blow in my opinion he would have been a great utility option who can also play wing..has a great left foot as well something we lack in the Blues especially when it comes to red zone exits.
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@Salacious-Crumb Got admit,I can’t say he’s been one of my favourites over the years, but that was pretty cool especially becoming a vegetarian to support his son..some things are bigger than sport.!
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Well, shit. Just looked at the table. We're 5-1-9, and third to last. On paper, we haven't made a real change from last year.
That said, we split the series with the Landers and Chiefs, whcih is heartening. Just frustrating to continue to shit the bed whenever we look like we could be going somewhere.
Tough life as a Blues fan. Some real improvements, but a damn tough comp to build in.
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@kev says something when their most consistent performers have been a rookie and a veteran All Black ..!
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@kev said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp I think you have to be realistic and say the Blues have made no progress. At times they have looked much better but the table is the real answer.
You're a harsh marker.
The real measure is arguably NZ teams.
Split the series against the Chiefs and Highlanders
Dominated but lost against the Canes at home
Were a missed goal kick against splitting the series against Canterbury (but outclassed down there)I'd say that's some progress, from our record under JK and Tana. The Chiefs at home were amazing - some absolutely low percentage tries that came off, and we didn't quite have enough.
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2019:
@kev says something when their most consistent performers have been a rookie and a veteran All Black ..!
Huh? Nanai is neither of these.
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@KiwiMurph only really came up with those 2 because they had been mentioned as possible RWC contenders not that I ever realistically thought they were real possibilities..
Nanai probably comes into the conversation..but I do think both Robinson & Nonu have been the most consistent. -
@Steven-Harris Nonu? I assumed you meant Ofa for the veteran All Black.
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@KiwiMurph haha..!,definitely a Blues veteran ..!
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@Crazy-Horse consistently shit.
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There are going to be some personnel changes, that's just natural, every year there are going to be some. We've got our six or so [leaving], but now we've got a good understanding of where we feel we need to bolster, we can go and attack that area.
Nanai
Moulds
Tupou
Pulu
SBW
Nonu
Scrafton -
@Tim said in Blues 2019:
There are going to be some personnel changes, that's just natural, every year there are going to be some. We've got our six or so [leaving], but now we've got a good understanding of where we feel we need to bolster, we can go and attack that area.
Nanai
Moulds
Tupou
Pulu
SBW
Nonu
ScraftonI hope it's more than those seven
It was a flawed squad and there was a reluctance to use the 2nd tier of players. If the coach doesn't rate those guys they should not get extensions.. we'd be better off with rookies.
Is Apisai's contract up? Surely there needs to be more changes at halfback than just Pulu going?
I know he was barely seen but Jed Brown would be a pointless extension. An older openside who doesn't even offer experience at this level. We'd be better off with Sione Havili or Choat.. guys that may have a high ceiling
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@Duluth Jed Brown was a stupid signing. Injury prone and no better than players we already have in the region. Havili looked very good in the 1 opportunity he got against the Rebels last year but hasn't been sighted since and probably won't be sighted for the Blues again. Wouldn't suprise me if we extended Brown's deal with our track record of keeping dead wood.
Collins should be added to that list along with Duffie. Ruru and Apisai might get extensions due to lack of options out there but I wouldn't care if the were given the flick along with Josh Goodhue.
