Blues 2019
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@Nogusta so Christie is confirmed?
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@taniwharugby yea apparently announced at the Cake Tin last week during the semi final
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@Nogusta said in Blues 2019:
@taniwharugby yea apparently announced at the Cake Tin last week during the semi final
Oh I am sorry
He was really really bad for the Canes this year.
So have to say thanks for letting us swap him for Scrafton! -
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
@Nogusta so Christie is confirmed?
Not in a media release, social media post, or anything like that.
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@Stargazer they did a leavers tribute about 10 mins before the quarter final and the stadium announcer mentioned Christie was going to the Blues next year. I don’t think they would have said that if he wasn’t.
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@Canes4life Nothing in my reply to @taniwharugby contradicts that. However, it may have been announced in the Cake Tin by a stadium announcer, some of us would like to see it confirmed by the Blues and/or Hurricanes as well, because an official media release may contain more information. For example, is Christie a direct replacement of Augie Pulu, or is one of the other halfbacks also leaving? For how long have they signed him? Or, have the Hurricanes already signed one or two halfbacks to replace Christie and Judd? Are they expecting to sign one or two halfbacks soon, or will they look at what talent may emerge from the Mitre 10 Cup? Personally, I'd be very interested to know whether they're going after Fakatava, considering the Highlanders still haven't announced their signings for 2020.
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Christie move confirmed by the Blues - awaiting derisive comments.
Ta$man and Hurricanes halfback Finlay Christie will move back home to play for the Blues starting from the 2020 Investec Super Rugby season.
The 23-year-old, who is the back-up to TJ Perenara at the Hurricanes this year, has signed with the Blues for two years, joining Jonathan Ruru and Sam Nock who have both extended their contracts with the club.
The 23-year-old Christie, who was born in Peebles in the Scottish Borders, moved with his family to Pukekohe before attending Saint Kentigern College. He played for Counties Manukau U-19s before heading to the University of Canterbury and after excelling at club level, took up a contract with the Ta$man Mako in 2016.
His form with Ta$man led to him playing eight games for the Chiefs in 2017 before moving to the Hurricanes the following year.
Christie’s move north will re-link him with Blues coach Leon MacDonald, who guided him at Ta$man, where he will continue to play his Mitre-10 Cup rugby.
“I was impressed with his skillset and attitude at Ta$man and now he gets the chance to return home to play,” Leon said. “Finlay will complement both Sam and Jonathan and give us three quality halfbacks all with different styles and different strengths. This will allow us to select a halfback that best fits the game plan each week.”
Blues high performance general manager, Tony Hanks is pleased with the signing.
“It is great to have a good mix of halfbacks, all now with experience and success at Mitre-10 Cup and Investec Super Rugby level,” said Tony.
“Sam has come through our system from the age grades and is now a senior player who has played a key part in the rise of Northland rugby, yet he is only 22 years old. He will reconnect with Christie after the pair played together at Saint Kentigerns.
“Jonathan has settled well with us since moving here last year and became a key part of the success for Auckland in the Mitre-10 Cup.”
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That's a good thing - Leon's building the squad he wants.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:
Finlay Christie
On the plus side we've doubled our quota of angry/crazy gingers!
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“Finlay will complement both Sam and Jonathan and give us three quality halfbacks all with different styles and different strengths. This will allow us to select a halfback that best fits the game plan each week.”
Horses for courses sounds great in theory, but ideally you want the 8-9-10 axis to develop as a combination so they work smoothly together rather than play Sam this week, Finlay next, then Ruru...
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So at this stage it looks like we know 22 of players signed to the Blues for 2020.
Alex Hodgman
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione MafileoJames Parsons
Ray NuiaPatrick Tuipulotu
Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins SotutuSam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan RuruOtere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen PerofetaTJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’aRieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke -
I'd say we can be fairly confident that Lindenmuth, Goodhue, and Cowley-Tuioti will be returning, which leaves the Blues needing to sign:
One tighthead prop
One hooker
Two locks
Two loose forwards
Three midfielders
Two wings
Two fullbacks (If Perofeta plays fullback, then maybe one fullback and one first five) -
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@Tim Tua and Johnson should be at least on the radar for midfield, Tua is also quick enough for wing Jordan Olsen an option at hooker if he has s big season in M10.
Debreczeni was only signed for 1 year with Chiefs too.
Matich was certainly good enough in his time on the park too.
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@taniwharugby Tumua Manu was only on a 1year at Chiefs?
I'm hearing he's keen to return to the Blues
