Blues 2019

[Daffy Jaffy]

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.”

[antipodean]

That's a good thing - Leon's building the squad he wants.

[Tim]

Jeez I hope Nock plays with some confidence next year. Finally stopped looking like he was afraid of the ball.

[gt12]

So Panafol’s plan is to sign as many Mako’s as he can? That sounds like the solution 🧐

What an uninspiring selection - he’s youngish, so I hope he proves me wrong.

[KiwiMurph]

Blues high performance general manager, Tony Hanks is pleased with the signing.

Well that's a sigh of relief......

So that confirms Ruru is staying as well.

Great.....

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:

Finlay Christie

On the plus side we've doubled our quota of angry/crazy gingers!

[taniwharugby]

“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...

[Tim]

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 Mafileo

James Parsons
Ray Nuia

Patrick Tuipulotu

Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu

Sam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan Ruru

Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta

TJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’a

Rieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke

[Tim]

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)

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Two fullbacks (If Perofeta plays fullback, then maybe one fullback and one first five)

Why stop at 4 first fives? why not five? Then we can have a number five first five wearing ten.

[Tim]

@nzzp Well the Herald seems to think that they're pursuing a more experienced fullback for next year, and Hayden Parker would be a decent squad member (and goal kicking coach?) if Perofeta is primarily used as a fullback.

[taniwharugby]

@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.

[Nogusta]

@taniwharugby Tumua Manu was only on a 1year at Chiefs?
I'm hearing he's keen to return to the Blues

[Tim]

@Nogusta Nice.

[Nogusta]

@Tim how about Tima Fainganuku for one of the wing spots? He was first choice winger in the victorious 2017 U20s, big and fast....surprised he missed out on a Super contract last year, I think he's sure to be picked up for next year

[Tim]

@Nogusta Yeah, I was thinking of him. Looked great for that U20 team, be interesting to see how he goes in the NPC.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Tele'a could continue his development as a wing and sometimes midfielder next year.....Manu and Faiane can resume their winning combo at Super level.
Heard that Rieko is serious though about a move to centre post WC and has told the Blues as much so that would make things interesting.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Interesting stuff. I'd like to see us pick up a good kicking option on the wing too, especially if the player is also good in the air.

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

@Nogusta Interesting stuff. I'd like to see us pick up a good kicking option on the wing too, especially if the player is also good in the air.

I know this is the Blues thread, but by god the Aucklanders kicked well last year. Kickers all over the backline and very effective at it. Blues could learn from that

[Chris]

Fukin Hell Christie is the answer at HB for the Blues I thought McDonald had more nous.If Nock gets injured take your Pick First Five you can play outside Christie or Ruru geeeeez