Blues 2019

[allblacksfan72]

@duluth said in Blues 2019:

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

Jordan Trainor I'd flick. To me he's just too small for Super Rugby. His contribution this year was getting needlessly yellow carded. I know he is one they signed to quite a long deal hoping he would develop but it just has not happened.

He shouldn't be in the Auckland XV either. Bench NPC option at best

I would also add leni apisai has been a huge disappointment and Ben nee nee is not up to it.
In the backs Sam nock has had enough chances

[Tim]

I'll add a couple of categories:

Which off-contract players do you want to see signed from other clubs?

Shaun Stevenson, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Michael Little (status uncertain), Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea.

Which positions to be filled will you be watching for in the Mitre 10 Cup?

Backup 6 and 8, third 7. Backups for all front-row positions. Fourth/Fifth Lock. Halfback, Midfield.

[KiwiMurph]

@tim I'd add outside backs to this list. Looking at this year's squad Trainor as previously discussed should be cut loose. Hyland whilst a trier is probably too slow for a full time spot, Rieko might be playing 13 (hopefully not 12!). More talent is needed in this area. There's sure to be plenty around in the NPC.

waits for joke about "so you're looking for a whole new squad" to be posted

[Tim]

@rocky-rockbottom And he's from the Hibiscus Coast - probably born and educated there when it was still bogan and a League town.

[Duluth]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

I'd add outside backs to this list. Looking at this year's squad Trainor as previously discussed should be cut loose. Hyland whilst a trier is probably too slow for a full time spot, Rieko might be playing 13 (hopefully not 12!). More talent is needed in this area. There's sure to be plenty around in the NPC.

Ravouvou could be an option if he gets enough game time with Auckland. He's been close to SR before, he trained with the Chiefs last year

[KiwiMurph]

@duluth Good call. Was thinking that when watching the 7s this weekend. He was excellent at times for Auckland last year.

[African Monkey]

@kiwimurph Yes he was a massive improver when he got time at the end of last season after I thought he was fairly rubbish in 2016. Hope to see him in the M10 Cup.

[Tim]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

Which positions to be filled will you be watching for in the Mitre 10 Cup?
Backup 6 and 8, third 7. Backups for all front-row positions. Fourth/Fifth Lock. Halfback, Midfield.

Speaking of this, will be interested to see how Ezekiel Lindenmuth goes.

[gt12]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@rocky-rockbottom And he's from the Hibiscus Coast - probably born and educated there when it was still bogan and a League town.

Keep your sticky hands off him, and Karl T too!

[Stargazer]

[Duluth]

Great news

An endorsement for Coventry too

[Tim]

Fucking awesome.

That's such good news. Now develop a top-notch backup tighthead, and really good hooker. Oh, and Scrafton to fully recover please.

[Tim]

@duluth He actually explicitly credits Tom Coventry for his decision in his interview video:

[KiwiMurph]

Brilliant!

[Virgil]

Dare I say it... 2019 could be our year..

[gt12]

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Better sign Ross now.

[Duluth]

So far the confirmed props are:
Tu'inukuafe
Tu'ungafasi
Hodgman

Hopefully we retain Manu and the would round out the LH's

So that leaves these 3 TH's going for 2 spots:
Mafileo
Tamoaieta
Salmon

[Kirwan]

Shows what having quality coaches can do, attract talent. Great news.

[Tim]

@duluth Could see Renata in contention too.

[Duluth]

@kirwan said in Blues 2019:

Shows what having quality coaches can do, attract talent. Great news.

Come on MacDonald, where are your poaches? He's slipping behind in the two horse race to be head coach in 2020