Blues 2020
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BLUES UNDER 17’S SELECTED FOR 2020
The Blues Under 17 Development Squad for 2020 is:
Manase Mahunga – Aorere College
Faka’aongo Lea’aemanu – Auckland Grammar
Falcon Leasuasu – Auckland Grammar
Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo – Auckland Grammar
Gage Jackson – Auckland Grammar
Fionn McKenna – Auckland Grammar
Xavier Enesi Saifoloi – Botany
Lucas Payne – Dargaville HS
Iain Onosi – DeLaSalle
Lima Enosa – DeLaSalle
Joeseph Tunumafono Sale – DeLaSalle
Dylan Roxburgh – Howick College
Nicholas Snyman – Howick College
Matthew Monaghan – Huanui College
Kobe Walters – Kamo High School
Tony Tafa – Kelston Boys
Senta Luaki – Kelston Boys
Zyon Maiu’u – Kelston Boys
Corey Natano – Cassidy – Kelston Boys
Cephus Salaivao – Kelston Boys
Dominic Gagaeolo – Kelston Boys
Dorian Guagatao – Kelston Boys
Kobe Scutt – Kelston Boys
Sam Howling – Kelston Boys
Lucas Casey – Kerikeri HS
Sam Harper – Kerikeri HS
Francis Manuleleua – Kings College
Eric Vaafusuaga – Kings College
Che Clarke – Kings College
Chicago Doyle – Kings College
Zinzan Hansen – Massey High
Jerry Vibose – Massey High
Henare Leefe – Mt Albert Grammar
Jackson Meacham – Mt Albert Grammar
Tama Anderson – Mt Albert Grammar
Mike Kafoa – Otahuhu College
Mose Tuialii – Otahuhu College
Tony Malamala – Papatoetoe
Truman Cuff – Rosmini College
Josiah Unga – Sacred Heart
Kobe Kay – Sacred Heart
PJ Uiese – Sacred Heart
Adam Tamati – Sacred Heart
Ale Aho – St Kentigerns
Taine Kolose – St Kentigerns
Will Bason – St Kentigerns
Jade Stewart – St Kentigerns
Konrad Toleafoa – St Peters College
Ajay Faleafaga – St Peters College
Jeremiah Asi – St Peters College
John Steele – Takapuna Grammar
Hunter Rice – Takapuna Grammar
Mene Manase – Tangaroa College
Mounir Ramach – Te Kuru Kaupapa Maori o Taumarere
Righard Snyman – Westlake Boys
Will Evans – Westlake Boys
Chandler Cunningham-South – Westlake Boys
Caleb Falloon – Westlake Boys
Rupeti Tavui – Westlake Boys
Koha Mahanga – Whangarei Boys -
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@Tim said in Blues 2020:
@Bones said in Blues 2020:
Is that every 16yo rugby player in Auckland?
Pretty sure he's too old.
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Former blues and crusaders lossie brendon o Connor has signed with the sunwolves for 2020
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@Bones I just look old and lack top end pace, a bit of height and well, ability, otherwise...
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2020:
@Bones I just look old and lack top end pace, a bit of height and well, ability, otherwise...
Reckon you should contact Northampton they might be interested.
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@Tim By the sounds of things, Rieko will be the first choice 13. Marchant probably has to play on the wing at first. Like you, I'd prefer it the other way around.
I wish we saw more of Narawa at fullback to see if he's a proper option there, but it was too small a sample to really say. In saying that, I don't want to break a talent like him, so play him on the wing to be safe.
I'd have Sotutu on the bench ahead of Gibson. I'm not sure Gibson adds much as a bench option. Sotutu's also on his last year of his contract and we have to play him if we want to keep him longer. The way we barely used him last season, we're already on the back foot to retain him.
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I'm pissed that they signed Tony Lamborn
They could of signed mitch Jacobson instead -
@Jonty-lean totally agree, Mitch Jacobson would have been a much better fit, the other 7 who was a little stiff not to have picked up a contract was Slade McDowall from Otago..
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Analysis: The one area of Rieko Ioane's game that needs fixing before he can become an international centre
Everyone is aware of what Rieko Ioane can do in attack when firing, but he needs to fully develop his game to not only become a centre, but to push his way back into the All Blacks' starting line-up.
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BB working on improving his skills at HQ, to give himself a chance of cracking the Blues starting xv!
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NEW BLUES ROOKIE SUPER RUGBY DREAM SHATTERED Bay of Plenty lock Baden Wardlaw has announced his immediate retirement from rugby because of an historic medical condition. The 29-year-old had realised his lifelong dream when he was named in the Blues team for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby season. However, medical checks showed that he has three fused vertebrae in his neck, and after further tests and extensive expert opinions, the advice was that he should not play rugby again. Blues coach Leon MacDonald said he was “gutted” for Wardlaw, who was set to become the oldest rookie in the team. “Baden has worked so hard and impressed us with his work ethic and quality of play. We are bitterly disappointed for him but at the same time this is a very serious condition which could have been life-threatening.” Wardlaw said he was born with the condition but had always played sport and been active throughout his life, playing rugby for Bay of Plenty through the age grades before then focussing on his family and career. He returned to rugby four years ago, putting his career on-hold to give the sport his full attention and playing a key role in the success in Clayton McMillan’s Bay of Plenty Steamers side. “I thought I had finally made it. This was my dream to play for the Blues,” Wardlaw said. “I have had the fused vertebrae since birth and it has not stopped me doing anything. But to then receive this news that I should give up rugby for the rest of my life is hard to come to grips with. “The medical people have gone to a number of specialists and they have all said the same thing. That is that if I got a knock in the wrong position I could end up as a tetraplegic or worse, I could die. “I need to be thankful that this was found out, although right now I am still gutted because this was my dream.” Wardlaw, a competitive cross-fit athlete, said that fitness has always been an interest, and he will look to move into strength and conditioning training as a way of remaining in the sport. The Blues are expected to announce a replacement in the coming days.https://blues.rugby/new-blues-rookie-super-rugby-dream-shattered/
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Shit news for the man. And the Blues will be looking for another lock. That's possibly two franchises (the Highlanders being the other one if NZR rips up Selby-Rickit's contract) fishing in the same pond with very few big fish in it.
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Sam Caird is already training with the team covering for Cowley-Tuioti who has apparently had shoulder surgery and will start the season late. Maybe he will be upgraded and someone else brought in to cover C/T. Ben Nee Nee maybe?
