Blues 2019
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@Stargazer keeps track of the various SR signings. He made a list of the current announced Blues signings here:
https://www.thesilverfern.com/2018/07/22/blues-2019-discussion/
The first thing that stands out is how little information has been released about who is playing next year. Compare that list to the Chiefs one (also on the front page). The Chiefs have 24 names confirmed, the Blues only 14 so far
Of course many more will be signed. It's just another example of the lack of communication to the fans about what is going on.
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Can I suggest relocation? There is currently a grossly under represented region of NZ that the Blues could find real success.
The Chatham Islands.
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@raznomore said in Blues 2019:
Can I suggest relocation? There is currently a grossly under represented region of NZ that the Blues could find real success.
The Chatham Islands.
i assumed you were about to say the Gold Coast...
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So many articles barley mention Umaga and are talking up Coventry and/or MacDonald like they are in charge.
Either Umaga is being given a soft exit or he's on a hiding to nothing.
We'll know if Umaga opts for an 'exciting new challenge' of coaching a side in world series rugby sometime next year.
It sounds far fetched until you remember the same Blues board wanted to give Kirwan another year. That bizarre plan was all about protecting Kirwans reputation after three poor years..A hiding to nothing? Well, if the Blues suck again Umaga will get the blame. If there is an improvement Coventry and MacDonald will be getting the credit for turning around Umaga's mess
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To answer some of the questions in @Stargazer post
Who of the players that played in 2018, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
Tumua Manu I'd sign to a full deal. He can play midfield and wing. Every chance he got he played well. Low error rate, good defender, underrated finisher. Very useful.
I'd be very tempted to sign Sione Havilli as a 7 in place of Taramai. He's on the small side but highly rated and looked sharp in the very limited chances he got in Super Rugby.
Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Blues in 2018, don't you want to be signed?
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.
Taramai I'd let go. Maybe Coventry can get more out of him but for all his high energy he offers very little impact. He falls off tackles repeatedly.
Preston I'd move on from. I know he was injured a lot
Who of the players of the initial 2018 squad would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
Perofeta, Clarke, Papali'i, Ioanes x 2, Goodhue. They would be the priorities.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:
To answer some of the questions in @Stargazer post
Who of the players that played in 2018, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
Tumua Manu I'd sign to a full deal. He can play midfield and wing. Every chance he got he played well. Low error rate, good defender, underrated finisher. Very useful.
Leger should be signed too. Hands off Chiefs.
I'd be very tempted to sign Sione Havilli as a 7 in place of Taramai. He's on the small side but highly rated and looked sharp in the very limited chances he got in Super Rugby.
Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Blues in 2018, don't you want to be signed?
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.
Taramai I'd let go. Maybe Coventry can get more out of him but for all his high energy he offers very little impact. He falls off tackles repeatedly.
Preston I'd move on from. I know he was injured a lot
Who of the players of the initial 2018 squad would you like to see signed for 2019 (or longer)?
Perofeta, Clarke, Papali'i, Ioanes x 2, Goodhue. They would be the priorities.
I'd add Pauliasi Manu - not too many loosehead props going around.
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@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
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@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 -
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.
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@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
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@rocky-rockbottom And he's from the Hibiscus Coast - probably born and educated there when it was still bogan and a League town.
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@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
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@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.
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@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.
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@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!
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Great news
An endorsement for Coventry too
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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.
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Brilliant!
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Dare I say it... 2019 could be our year..
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Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Better sign Ross now.
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So far the confirmed props are:
Tu'inukuafe
Tu'ungafasi
HodgmanHopefully 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 -
Shows what having quality coaches can do, attract talent. Great news.
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@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
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Tana will play him at Blindside
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But but but but TJ said Big Karl was going south..... lol
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@tim said in Blues 2019:
Could see Renata in contention too.
Good call. I'd be happy with that his set piece work has improved a lot in the last 18 months.
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@duluth said in Blues 2019:
@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
That would be a pretty funny side affect of the bizarre structure the board has put in place.
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Good news on a Blues thread, unbelievable.
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That's pretty cool! Happy for Blues fans.
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Stoked to hear. Really needed some positivity like that for next year
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Christ I hope he doesn’t catch Warrioritis* like so many of the blues management and players suffer from . Once you have it you can’t shake it even if you move- look at the Phoenix .
*warrioritis- a condition typified by a general malaise and underachievement .
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I wonder if they're angling for Angus Ta'avao too? He probably won't get much game time if the Chiefs props stay healthy.
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Forward pack is starting to shape up.
1 Karl T
2 Parsons/Moulds
3 Ofa T
4 Scrafton
5
6
7 Gibson
8 Ioane16 Moulds/Parsons
17 Hodgman
18
19 Tuipulotu
20 Papali'iStarting 5 and 6, and reserve tighthead are the positions of contention. Might be nice to have some experience at 5 and 6, or perhaps a couple from the Crusaders ...
Without recruitment, Cowley-Tuioti and Goodhue will be a good contest for lock, and Papali'i might have enough NPC under his belt to be the regular starter at 6. Tupou is the other option in the squad, with Hoskins Sotuto probably being a bit raw. I still think that six could be Ioane's best position
Off contract locks:
Luke Romano, Quentin Strange, Scott Pierce, Ben Nee Nee, Mitchell Dunshea, Pari Pari Parkinson.
Off contract sixes and eights:
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Slade, Toa Halafihi, Glenn Preston.
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@tim Reiko is pretty good at jumping, maybe you could play him at 6. Would also move him even closer to the action, he's wasted out there at 12.
Post 322 of 2005