Blues 2019
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@shack pretty sure Scott Gregory will be signed for next year unless he sticks with 7s? Covers midfield and back 3 if needed. Blues are big on him. Has come right through their development programme right from U16s so should be a priority signing for them. Agree re Aoake.
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James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles. Parsons also makes the fewest tackles of New Zealand’s hookers – and is shrugged off by opposition more often. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but is fairly ineffective at what he does. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.
All Blacks Watch - How are New Zealand's hookers faring in Super Rugby?
We're now past the half-way point in Super Rugby and the All Blacks selectors will be slowly inking in their initial squad for the Rugby Championship. How are New Zealand's hooking incumbents performing, and could anyone still force their way into selection?
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything **but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game**. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – **but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles.** **Parsons also makes the fewest tackles** of New Zealand’s hookers – **and is shrugged off by opposition more often**. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. **Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming**. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but **is fairly ineffective at what he does**. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.Why the fuck did we resign him??
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@shack I ain't even a Blues fan and i'm disappointed that the Blues re-signed him. He has reached is ceiling and won't be getting any better i'm afraid - should go after Keruru-Symes & Abel moving forward.
It's annoying because like the Hurricanes experience with Coles in regards to their game going up a notch or two when they get him back into the side - I feel the same would happen if the Blues signed a better hooker, it's probably the polish they need to make the playoffs.
It's a shame the coaches can't see the obvious.
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@shack said in Blues 2019:
@Tim said in Blues 2019:
James Parsons has plenty of professional rugby experience, having achieved the rare double of earning over 100 caps at both provincial and Super Rugby level. The last player to do this was Caleb Ralph, who hasn’t played Super Rugby in eight years. It’s Parsons’ considerable experience that has seen him earn a pair of caps for New Zealand, against Scotland in 2014 and Australia in 2016. At 32 years of age, he’s also on par with Coles as being the oldest of New Zealand’s current crop of hookers. Beyond experience, however, Parsons is simply a grafter, willing to do whatever job is required on the rugby field. It’s therefore no major surprise to see Parsons show up as middle of the pack in many stats – he does a bit of everything **but doesn’t particularly excel in any facet of the game**. He touches the ball often – second only to Taylor – **but doesn’t make a lot of ground when in possession, nor does he bust many tackles.** **Parsons also makes the fewest tackles** of New Zealand’s hookers – **and is shrugged off by opposition more often**. The Blues lineout also operates at only 84% when Parsons is throwing the ball into the lineout. **Overall, Parsons’ stats are fairly underwhelming**. He tends to get involved in a wide range of areas of the game but **is fairly ineffective at what he does**. He’s been capped by New Zealand before and could be a worthy squad member, if only for his experience, but the other hookers at the All Blacks’ disposal have considerably more upsides.Why the fuck did we resign him??
I'm ok with having him in the squad. An old dog setting standards and guiding younger blokes is sweet as. There problem is he's playing as our number one, two and three hooker.
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@nzzp fair call. You can't really call Apisai quality can yah.
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp fair call. You can't really call Apisai quality can yah.
A lot is going to ride on Leon's ability to get some players that he wants, and that are good or can become good. Right now it's a poorly selected squad that he's inherited
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@nzzp yet Leon re-signed James...he signed a few players at the back end of 2018 too.
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@taniwharugby any nudge on who he signed?
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@nzzp well maybe not specifically Leon but youd have hoped guys signed at the end of M10 cup were done with his involvement.
There were several spots still open after his appointment (well given the process probably started early in 2018) last year so surely he was involved in any signings from here.
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2019:
should go after Keruru-Symes & Abel moving forward.
Being realistic, those are my two pics aswell. We need to get the best up and coming hooker into our squad ASAP.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2019:
Well that’s good that Leon has cut him if he’s not going to play him. Hope that means we have someone lined up. Abel?
Abel would be an improvement. Career best form for Auckland in 2018 and he's mostly continued that form for the Rebels, although he is stuck behind Rangi
Leni Apisai should make the 23 ahead of Moulds for the next few weeks at least. We need to have a look to see if he's worth keeping (..he's probably not)
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@nzzp said in Blues 2019:
@Canes4life said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp fair call. You can't really call Apisai quality can yah.
A lot is going to ride on Leon's ability to get some players that he wants, and that are good or can become good. Right now it's a poorly selected squad that he's inherited
He was a part of the coaching staff that recruited this squad - particularly in the WTG. Yes Tana led the show but there is nothing to indicate he ran a dictatorship. MacDonald will have been on the Blues payroll for a year in two weeks - if he was not scouting and presenting compelling arguments for signings from day one (particularly around the fringes) then I have limited faith in his ability to do so now he has the reigns.
In both MacDonald and Umaga's defence the final year of the RWC cycle is the worst year to recruit, and the first year the best. So it will be curious to see what miracles he will be able to perform in the next two months.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2019:
@rotated curious for any examples of other assistants that got to select squads in Super Rugby, or are you just making stuff up.
Leon clearly inherited Tana’s squad.
I don't think anyone is denying this wasn't predominantly a squad put together over Tana's tenure (although the hole at 10 is due to Kirwan releasing future 6N MVP). That is kind of the nature of professional sport where players are on multi-year contracts. But Jesus Christ I have seen caretaker coaches takeover midseason in other codes that have had this excuse used less.
Let's say MacDonald takes over as head coach early May last year (when appointed as assistant, which would be early given NZ Super history wherecoaches are dismissed at the end of the season), what moves could he have possibly made that would tangibly have made this squad substantially different?
If MacDonald had strong convictions about any contactable player since May he would have had every opportunity to advocate for their signing as a member of the coaching team - this is not an IPL draft where world class players are on the board to select from it is a bunch of rookies, journeymen and third string halfbacks and hookers. Of course Umaga would have had the last say - but unless you believe Umaga vetoed 10 of MacDonald's suggestions then you may be in for a rude awakening next season.
