Blues 2019

[Steven Harris]

@tim not me brother,The ABs are about number 4 on the care factor scale..behind Club,Mitre 10 and Super rugby..
Only around RWC time I take the biggest interest.

[Tim]

@steven-harris Was referring to Brad Weber.

[African Monkey]

@steven-harris Yeah it looked like it when he played SR. I feel that he'll be great but his confidence has been shot so far and it's held him back at the Blues.

[Duluth]

[taniwharugby]

@african-monkey as you said, looked scared to touch the ball and even tackle people at times, whereas this year, his defence for us was very good, I'd still like him to run a bit more.

Never knew he was so quick either to chase down Nanai in the game this year too.

[Steven Harris]

@tim regarding Weber,he’s probably just fallen down the pecking order with TTT arriving on the season,probably only an injury away from a ticket back in..

[Tim]

@duluth Two biggest problems with the team.

[KiwiMurph]

@tim Tony "Michael Collins is one of the best fullbacks in Super Rugby" Hanks.

[Tim]

Nonu will turn 37 in May next year. He and Aumua are going to get smoked on the outside next year.

[Tim]

Faiane is 175 cm tall and 90 kg, so will have to really step up if he's to play centre.

[Nepia]

@steven-harris said in Blues 2019:

@tim not me brother,The ABs are about number 4 on the care factor scale..behind Club,Mitre 10 and Super rugby..
Only around RWC time I take the biggest interest.

Franchise rugby over the ABs? Damn, different strokes and all that ....

[sparky]

Poor at Hooker, Half Back and First Five. A SBW/Nonu midfield would have great in 2015 but will be too slow in 2019.

On the plus side, the two main props and the Ioane brothers are outstanding

[Tim]

@sparky Think 1st five won't be an issue. Halfback, centre, and fullback are all concerns in the backs.

[African Monkey]

@sparky Hooker and Halfback I agree but we're fine at 10 for once.

[KiwiMurph]

@sparky what's your issue with first five?

[sparky]

Lack of a long-kicking game.

[Tim]

Out of the Box podcast looks at the squads:

Sport

They're mildly optimistic about the Blues, but only talk about their forward pack.

[pukunui]

Bloody hell so the lead weights Parsons, Pulu and Collins are all still firmly in place as the leaders and communicators of the Blues. And they expect different results this time? I would be pissed if i was a Blues fan.

Pretty fucked they missed out/didn't sign Rayasi, Abel, Manu or the Canadian but are stuck with the above guys plus Tupou and Apisai etc. only themselves to blame.

[Tim]

@pukunui This is how we will lose to the Highlanders and Hurricanes next year:

Forwards get 60% possession and territory, backs let in a couple of soft tries through the midfield, we have a lineout in the opposition 22 with time almost up, throw in is not straight or is knocked on. Five to seven point loss.

[Tim]

From the official media guide ... guess who ...

COACHES SAY: Otago utility who played for NZ Schools and NZ U20s as well as more than 30 caps for his province. Moved north to the Blues for 2017 and impressed with his professional approach, allround skills and excellent communication. He sealed the fullback spot and has become a key senior leader as well as outstanding contributor. Won captaincy for Otago in 2018 and led them to the Ranfurly Shield victory.