Blues 2019

[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.

[Tim]

Reminder that Umaga gave Matt Johnson a contract ahead of Matt Vaega.

[Steven Harris]

Hanks,how is he surviving ..?

[allblacksfan72]

@duluth alistair Rodgers is defence coach

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris good photos....

[KiwiMurph]

@allblacksfan72 said in Blues 2019:

@duluth alistair Rodgers is defence coach

He was. He's not next season.

Sport

None of Dave Ellis, Steve Jackson or Alistair Rogers re-applied for their jobs.

[Tim]

Harbour's Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a could be worth a look for backup 8 and 6. He's certainly got the size. Was in NZ U20, turns 22 in November.

[Canes]

Fotu Lokotui looks like a good player from Counties who could be a great backup 7

[Tim]

@canes Jed Brown and Billy Harmon are off contract at the Crusaders. Sione Havili is an option too.

[Canes]

Also, would definitly try to sign at least one of the Faingaanuku brothers

[Canes]

@tim Very true, Sione Havili is a young, talented local with no connection to any other franchise so could be a smart signing

[Canes]

Players like, Murphy Taramai, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Alex Hodgman, Dalton Papali'i, Orbyn Leger and Tumua Manu are lowkey players with a huge amount of potential, just need to continue developoing them

[Tim]

@canes Agree on all those except the first. Taramai is just too small at Super Rugby level. He falls off tackles constantly, and can't out pressure on at the ruck. Handy NPC player though.

Scrafton's recovery from injury will be a key. Would be great to see Goodhue's form demand selection.

[Canes]

@tim Agreed, Scrafton and Goodhue could become vital cogs in the pack (both play similar to a lite version of Retallick orWhitelock). Could even snag Sevu Reece