Blues 2019
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@Duluth yep thats the thing...he is a great guy to have in your squad, but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
As I said in the Blues/tahs thread, he is a trier, he gets through alot of work, is reasonably accurate but is pretty passive, doesnt get beyond the gain line much, makes alot of tackles, but these are almost like he is just a speed bump tripping the guy over
...he is 3rd top tackler for the Blues...that said, Blues seem content to continue using him as a ball runner despite his lack of punch... -
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
I agree
But this just suggests that MacDonald isn't happy with the other options in the squad he inherited. Next year there is no excuse.
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@Duluth for sure...Apisai I can understand, but based on what I have heard about Moulds over the years, I cannot understand them sitting him out as much as they do, more so the area of his game that was an issue is no worse than Parsons when you look at the upside with the rest of Moulds game vs Parsons.
As I have said before, something just doesnt add up, so not sure what is up there and I have heard he is likely to head off anyway...always thought it odd how little they used him, yet they kept offering him contracts and he kept signing them...
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Media release: https://theblues.co.nz/super-7-extend-their-stay/
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@taniwharugby
Moulds probably signed before Parsons in previous years, only to find he’s stuck behind the captain. Now they have two captains that are either injured or standing down for AB’s, so Parsons is still sometimes captain. -
@KiwiMurph Yeah I was thinking that unless we recruit someone to replace Nanai.
Does that mean Nock, Collins, Apisai and Tupou are gone after this year?
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
I agree
But this just suggests that MacDonald isn't happy with the other options in the squad he inherited. Next year there is no excuse.
Leon has a givealittle page for buying hookers - donate!
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@Chris-B said in Blues 2019:
@Duluth said in Blues 2019:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
I agree
But this just suggests that MacDonald isn't happy with the other options in the squad he inherited. Next year there is no excuse.
Leon has a givealittle page for buying hookers - donate!
me too!!
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Abel and Sosene-Feagai both played well for Auckland, and Eklund and Olsen also look promising. The last two are inexperienced at this level, and there are questions over athletic ability.
Nathan Harris and Samisoni Taukei'aho are both off contract, and I think that Makalio and Funnell are too. Then there's Coltman. We should try for all of those names and Abel. Who would you prefer?
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IIRC, these are the 18 players who are signed for next year:
Prop
Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Sione MafileoHooker
James ParsonsLock
Patrick TuipulotuLoose Forward
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Tom RobinsonHalfback
1st 5
Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen PerofetaMidfield
Tanielu Tele’a
TJ FaianeWing/Fullback
Rieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke--
Tele'a has the physical ability. Will be interesting to see how he goes after a season of Super Rugby. Hopefully he'll get some good game time in the NPC.
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@Tim Don't forget Luteru Tolai in your mix of hooker prospects. I was impressed by him in the 2 dev. games I saw. He is only 20 years old but is a big powerful unit (119kgs). Hopefully he can get enough minutes playing behind Parsons at harbour to develop his game and for us to assess him properly.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Had no idea he was that young.
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@Daffy-Jaffy He's a converted hooker too as he spent all his school years playing in the back row.
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
Abel and Sosene-Feagai both played well for Auckland, and Eklund and Olsen also look promising. The last two are inexperienced at this level, and there are questions over athletic ability.
Nathan Harris and Samisoni Taukei'aho are both off contract, and I think that Makalio and Funnell are too. Then there's Coltman. We should try for all of those names and Abel. Who would you prefer?
Maybe GPT is in the mix too?
His form has been all over the place. We might see improvements with a NPC season under Tiatia then Coventry at SR level
No idea what his contract situation is. Canterbury NPC last year, but it appears he has no fully pro contract (he was in that 'World XV' that played the Force recently)
