Blues 2019

[Steven Harris]

@kiwimurph should have been the first one Gased.

[Chris B.]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

In all seriousness you'd have to think with Leon's reputation he'd be eyeing up some new options at 9.

In addition be interesting if any Ta$man players (especially backs) follow Leon to the Blues.

Almost all of the established Ta$man players are already locked into Super contracts.

There's a few lesser lights like Vern Fredericks or (the second coming of) Billy Guyton available - otherwise there's a few kids. No-one who's likely to make an immediate impact, except maybe Jed Brown (a poach from Canterbury) and just possibly Leicester Faingaanuku.

Don't recall Jack Stratton being a Mako.

[taniwharugby]

bit into the future, but heard good things about Taufa Funaki (think he might be just finishing school) out of Sacred Heart?

[KiwiMurph]

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:

bit into the future, but heard good things about Taufa Funaki (think he might be just finishing school) out of Sacred Heart?

Yeah he was in the NZ Schools team last year and was impressive. Still very young but worth keeping an eye on.

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby He was in the NZ Schools squad, but not yet in a Mitre 10 squad, isn't he?

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Beat me to it. :smiling_face_with_open_mouth:

[taniwharugby]

@stargazer from what I gather he is still at school

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby Ah, so if he's not too old, he may have another year in NZ Schools as well!

[trooa]

Should be hearing his intentions for next year soon now that their school season has been completed.

[KiwiMurph]

@trooa He's already played Blues U18 so he's on the Blues radar (as well he should be). Meanwhile Auckland's assistant coach Tai Lavea coached against him last year so should know all about him.

[Nogusta]

@kiwimurph Blues also had him in the U20s side in the matches earlier this year. First time they've ever picked a current schoolboy in the U20s team.

[KiwiMurph]

Blues Rugby

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Experienced Super Rugby player and coach, Daniel Halangahu will follow his North Harbour coach Tom Coventry to join the Blues for the next two years.

Halangahu will complete his third year as an assistant coach with North Harbour before joining the Blues as the specialist Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

[Tim]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

What's MacDonald's role then, attack coach? Or perhaps the real head coach?

[Duluth]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019:

Skills and Lead Backs Coach.

What's MacDonald's role then, attack coach? Or perhaps the real head coach?

Yeah I think MacDonald was called attack coach at that press conference. So something like this?

Umaga - defence
Coventry - fowards
MacDonald - attack
Halangahu - backs
Afeaki - scrum

What's interesting is that Coventry has all his NH assistants joining him. That puts him in a powerful position when Umaga finally gets sacked opts for an exciting new challenge in world series rugby

[taniwharugby]

@duluth UMaga will probably take over from Redman!

[Bones]

@taniwharugby it would be the perfect time for him to join Mitchell and Jones wouldn't it?

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

[antipodean]

@bones said in Blues 2019:

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

Looking like a great 2019 comedy duo too.

[mariner4life]

@bones said in Blues 2019:

@taniwharugby it would be the perfect time for him to join Mitchell and Jones wouldn't it?

As a slight aside, I just realised "Mitchell & Jones" sounds like a great 80's comedy duo.

"which caused a nation of Englishmen to sigh "alas Mitchell & Jones""

[taniwharugby]

@mariner4life Eddie and John visit NZ could be a kids programme.

[Tim]

After the first round Fukofuka and Tumua Manu look like good options for the 2019 squad. Ruru does not. Would like to see more of Jono Kitto.

Thought Sione Mafileo had a good game.