Blues 2019
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@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at Rarasea -
@crucial said in Blues 2019:
Taumateine (NZ U20 2016) is an interesting case, as he signed for 2019 too, but hasn't had almost any game time this year, after getting plenty before. I wonder if he will seek a release from his contract?
Sam Henwood is signed with the Hurricanes for next year too.
Murray Douglas only signed with them for one year. He might be an option for 6 depth.
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@steven-harris I played a lot with Vaai through our school years. Always a talent but he's always had his fair share of injuries too which have unfortunately delayed his progress over the years. If he stays injury free he could progress to the next level.
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@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at RaraseaSaw Lokotui in a couple of games last year and, yes he did look good.
Obviously Chiefs have inside running on these guys but given the current strength of Taranaki many of the CM players have substantial roadblocks even getting into the development squad, The Umaga connection up the road and the proximity of home to training makes the Blues an option.
Edit: 2017 Chiefs dev squad contained Martin, Vaai, Lokotui, Rarasea, Taumateine, Leger, and Tuiloma.
Martin and Leger have played for Blues, Tuiloma now with Highlanders. -
@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
@Crucial crucial there’s a player I saw playing for Counties Manukau HP squad against Northland HP squad several weeks ago who I was very impressed with Mathew Vaai who played number 8,the man was a beast,looked around 6”4 120Kgs,he man handled so many players it was ridiculous,a seriously big human being,I think he plays for Manurewa..
The other guy that impressed me that night was Fotu Lokotui who played on the blindside,another big rangy guy who I understand has played for Tonga as well..?
Agree with your coms around Rarasea,looked very mature and good at lineout time..surprised the Blues went to Matiaha Martin before they looked at Rarasea -
@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:
Fotu Lokotui
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Rugby washout for Mahu multi-clash
Participating players included Jerome Kaino and Bryn Gatland. Graham Henry and Warren Gatland watched from the sidelines.
Hopefully he was there for more than just watching his son play.
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@stargazer my hunch is that its a PR move to try and put some positive news out there amongst the garbage product on the field.
I love how Hanks tries to talk up the signing "one of the better fullbacks in Super Rugby" - yeah nah.
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@tim Reads like another rubbish article from Wales Online, full of speculation and with few facts. I haven't read the original article, and it could be a bad reproduction of that article by Stuff, but what exactly are the reasons for assuming that Umaga is on the list of potential contenders for the Scarlets gig?
They also clearly don't know how O'Gara ended up at the Crusaders (via Dan Carter). I can't see O'Gara coach a Welsh club, while there are probably Irish clubs waiting for him to return to his home country.
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@kiwimurph Leon attracting all the talent...
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:
@stargazer my hunch is that its a PR move to try and put some positive news out there amongst the garbage product on the field.
I love how Hanks tries to talk up the signing "one of the better fullbacks in Super Rugby" - yeah nah.
Who are the most average?
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I thought Tupou re-signed months ago?
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@african-monkey yep, like Collins.
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Scotty Stevenson asked Mils Muliaina to name his "franchise players" that the foundations of the Blues should be built around. His answer for the forwards was: Gibson, Ioane, Papali'i, and Scrafton. Sorting out the midfield and developing the right 10 were his critical issues for the backline.
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Rugby Pass must be worried about losing subscribers - they've published two optimistic pieces today about the Blues' future.
The Blues Pero-future is here, and it's better than you think
Time for Blues to build on young foundation - Season Review
Of note:
One of the main reasons for the Blues’ woes simply has to be Umaga’s inconsistency with player selection. Sure, injuries to key figures Sonny Bill Williams and Augustine Pulu haven’t helped, but even when healthy it seems a completely new backline trots out for the Blues each week. While young star Rieko Ioane has appeared in 14 matches for the Blues this season, he hasn’t been able to play consistent minutes at any one position. This season Ioane has played with four different numbers on the back of his jersey. 11 – four times, 12 – six times, 13 – three times, and 14 – once. Umaga – through injury or otherwise – has used an astounding ten different midfield combinations this season, chopping and changing between seven different players. The Blues’ most common midfield partnership has only been used three times, and the longest standing partnership at any point in the season has only lasted two weeks. It’s tough to imagine how any team can gel or create chemistry with such high levels of uncertainty heading into each week. Training must be an absolute nightmare.
