Blues 2019
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Only things I'm happy about are the props.
Really haven't improved over last year. Still no centre, no new kicking options in midfield or the back three from exits, no class at halfback, very average hookers. Ioane only decent centre option, which will leave wings lacking power.
Gutted for Olmstead. Pierce over Whetton ...
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@tim pretty good summary.
On the positive side I'm glad Trainor made it and i'm pleased with Lindenmuth and Renata.
Way too many average players - namely Apisai, Collins, Nock, Pulu, all 3 hookers.
Tana to get fired - hopefully Hanks and the CEO too. Squad cleanout to occur for next year.
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Best team they could put on the park:
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Tu'inukuafe
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Parsons
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Tu'ungafasi
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Tuipulotu
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Scrafton
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Papali'i
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Gibson
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A Ioane
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Pulu
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Black
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Clarke
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SBW
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R Ioane
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Nanai
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Trainor
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Moulds
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Hodgman
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Mafileo/Renata
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Goodhue/Cowley-Tuioti
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Robinson/Sotutu
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Ruru
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Perofeta
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Nonu
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@kiwimurph He's just having us on. We all know he's gonna try and sneak him back in at 12 once our geriatrics Nonu and SBW break down.
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Unfortunately the Blues still looking the weakest of all the squads,and the biggest thing that stands out is intellect..
This is one of the vagaries of signing guys for 2 x years,if they don’t perform in their first year ,then you are stuck with them for the 2nd year..Leni Apaisi comes to mind,why Micheal Collins was re signed is beyond me ..
Who’s gonna lead this team..?,and I don’t see smarts from August Pulu..
Feel incredibly sorry for Evan Olmstead,but there will be injuries, you only have to mention the Karl Tunukuafe story to realise what can happen if the opportunity arises.. -
@steven-harris The Sunwolves should be on the phone as we speak to Olmstead and Abel!
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Great point. Shit I hope they pick them up.
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The five best hookers in the region missed out! Abel, Sosene-Faegai, Olsen, Ekland, Wright.
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@daffy-jaffy This is what happens when you sign Apisai to a 2 year deal last year that he had no business getting. He was on the bench behind Aumua for Wellington and looked every bit the journeyman he is. They are stuck with him. So awful.
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Collins is a deadset spud. It would be worth paying him out and fucking him off.
Who picked up Rayasi?
Couple of guys who stood out for a champion NPC side can't get a run? What the actual? Why Blues why? The Auckland Browns
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Olmstead or Redlinger-Kapa for Tupou, Matich or Choat for Brown, Abel and Sosene-Faegai or Eckland for Moulds and Apasai and I would be Ok with the forwards.
Apasai can't make the top 3 hookers in Wellington! -
@mariner4life Canes got Rayasi.
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@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2019:
@steven-harris The Sunwolves should be on the phone as we speak to Olmstead and Abel!
Abel's status as a Brumbie was always a question mark wasn't it? I'm guessing he'll turn up in their squad (hasn't been named yet has it?). Though maybe Parsons, Moulds and Apisai were all under contract and there was no room for Abel. But in that case I would have expected him to get a contract e.g. at the Highlanders.
I wonder if they simply weren't allowed to pick up the lumberjack?
The four guys I would have wanted to sign from the Auckland team would have been Abel, Olmsted, Manu and Rayasi and somehow they got none of them.
Levi Aumua isn't a bad selection as a squaddie, Tim - but, if he's the starting centre then I'd be pretty worried.
