Blues 2020

Thanks for the entertainment .Some great youngsters blooded ,and the senior players leading the way.
Congratulations to the whole Blues franchise.Good luck to those who are in the frame for higher honours.

Tim

The Blues have room to squeeze in a marquee signing or two for next year’s Super Rugby, and coach Leon MacDonald doesn’t mind saying he hopes it will be to play in a trans- Ta$man competition..

Chief executive Andrew Hore wasn’t giving much away when he was asked earlier this week about potential signings for 2021. But he did say: “There will be a couple I think who will be a bit of a surprise”.

MacDonald wasn’t naming names at this stage either, but confirmed new additions would be minimal in a group that will stay pretty steady.

“We’ve just got a handful,” he said of openings in his squad. “Most of our spots are taken, and the core of this group is going to stay together which is really exciting. There are some draft spots and a couple of extras to fill in, but not a lot..

Also Parsons is out for the rest of the year for concussion recovery.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300083252/super-rugby-aotearoa-blues-coach-leon-macdonald-backs-transtasman-setup-for-2021

Stargazer

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

“There will be a couple I think who will be a bit of a surprise”.

Players returning from overseas, or more players switching SR franchises?

Duluth

@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

“There will be a couple I think who will be a bit of a surprise”.

Players returning from overseas, or more players switching SR franchises?

It’s really unlikely but the Tuivasa-Sheck rumour came back to life earlier this week.

Bones

There must be some handy ex international halfbacks floating about? Someone of the ilk of a Danny Care would be useful eh...

taniwharugby

what is TKB upto?

Duluth

So what positions might there be recruitment?

Midfield - a replacement for Marchant. Someone that can play 12 & 13 would be useful

Fullback - a replacement for Barrett (there's still plenty of 10's in the squad)

Hooker - improve depth below Eklund. Is Parsons still wanting to play?

Halfback - Christie appears to MacDonalds first choice, Blues need more quality below him

Openside - No issues with the opensides this year but I think the Blues should select a younger option. Dalton is first choice, Lamborn has been a pleasant surprise and Gibson has been good when fit (not often enough)
I would find room for Choat. That would be tough on Lamborn.. A decision that might not pay off in 2021 but a good medium term investment.

Yeetyaah

@Duluth

Midfield

Walden?

Duluth

Dice

98 semifinal between the Blues and Highlanders is on Prime.

There were some great players in that 98 team, but my favorite might be Eroni Clarke. He was the complete centre for us.

sparky

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2020:

what is TKB upto?

Playing with Victor Vito and Ihaia West and coached by Ronan O'Gara at La Rochelle. The Top 14 season 2020-1 starts on September 4th.

Dice

@Tim What are the chances of us getting Jack Goodhue? He only signed a one year deal with the Crusaders last year. He's one of the few marquee type players off contract. I'd be surprised if he left the Crusaders though.

Bones

@Dice said in Blues 2020:

@Tim What are the chances of us getting Jack Goodhue? He only signed a one year deal with the Crusaders last year. He's one of the few marquee type players off contract. I'd be surprised if he left the Crusaders though.

He needs to go somewhere he can play centre regularly. So not the blues (Ioane) and not the canes (PUJ) and not the Crusaders (the immensely talented centre Ennor).

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020