Blues 2020
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@KiwiMurph I saw Namoa on Sky's coverage of the recent Red Bull ignite sevens so he is fit and playing. Maybe he will turn out for Auckland at the national sevens on Dec. 14/15.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:
Going by the Blues latest video the main leadership group is
Patrick Tuipulotu (captain)
James Parsons
Rieko Ioane
Tom RobinsonSo a demotion for Gibson - from co-captain to outside the leadership group
You can't trust his durability unfortunately
I suspect that means a first choice trio of Papali'i/Ioane/Robinson too. I think Papali'i is the best 6 in NZ but at 7 he seems to get the judgment calls wrong.
That's a physical trio though. Gibson and a specialist lock on the bench?
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@Duluth said in Blues 2020:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:
Going by the Blues latest video the main leadership group is
Patrick Tuipulotu (captain)
James Parsons
Rieko Ioane
Tom RobinsonSo a demotion for Gibson - from co-captain to outside the leadership group
You can't trust his durability unfortunately
I suspect that means a first choice trio of Papali'i/Ioane/Robinson too. I think Papali'i is the best 6 in NZ but at 7 he seems to get the judgment calls wrong.
That's a physical trio though. Gibson and a specialist lock on the bench?
I still think that Paps is the future at 7/6 off the bench (starting at 6/7 depending on Ardie) so him getting time at 7 makes me happy. He could be a bigger Cane and that’s a pretty good thing if he can pull it off.
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Pre-Season Fixture:
Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues
Date: Friday 17 January
Time: 3.00pm kick-off, 1.30pm gates open
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, WaihiA 3pm kickoff in the middle of January will test those fitness levels.
It's crazy to think these teams will be back playing six weeks from now. -
@Daffy-Jaffy I know, was thinking about that.
Probably not taking a season ticket this year. Starts too early, too many family clashes, despite the earlier kickoffs. Will just rock up on an 'ad hoc' basis.
Edit: I broke and picked up a BLues pass for me and the boy. Great value, and if I get to 3 games it's worth it. They throw ina free junior, so well well worth it.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:
Pre-Season Fixture:
Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues
Date: Friday 17 January
Time: 3.00pm kick-off, 1.30pm gates open
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, WaihiA 3pm kickoff in the middle of January will test those fitness levels.
All these preseason games are played during the day so the conditions will be challenging. I went to the Chiefs-Blues game in Te Kuiti in 2018, and it was hot enough being in the crowd.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Taufa Funaki is with the Blues (on an ITC) but thats not him in the dreads. Thats Soane Vikena. MAGS/NZ20s hooker who along with Zarn Sullivan mst be the ITCs this year. Luteru Tolai is trainig pre-season with the Blues as well.
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@Daffy-Jaffy superb part of the world, Cornwall Park. Would have loved to pop down and see them
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@Daffy-Jaffy watching those kinds of clips make me think about doing some exercise...then I remember beer and my enthusiasm fades.
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Could also help with the team o the decade list
Super Rugby Teams of the Decade: The Blues XV that starred over the last 10 years
Although they've struggled for regular play-offs football between 2010 and 2019, the Blues have produced some awe-inspiring talent over the last decade. So, who makes their team of the decade?
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@Machpants They got the pack almost spot on, but the backline needs a bit of work.
Mathewson over Pulu at halfback. His first season or so was easily the best play we got from a halfback in the last decade.
I'd probably go with Wulf on the right wing over Halai, even though he did play quite a bit of left wing. Rarely ever had a bad game for us and was always an automatic starter.
Toeava was probably our best 15, 13 and 12, but didn't even get in the team.
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@Number-10 said in Blues 2020:
@Tim said in Blues 2020:
Is Emoni Narawa NZ qualified yet?
Probably some time in 2020 as he did not arrive in the country until 2017.
Five years now, so 2022
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@Machpants Until 31 December 2020, it's still 3 years, so he (and Fakatava) still fall under the old rule. Just.
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@Stargazer only if they play before then, right?
They have lived in the country for 60 consecutive months (Five years) to qualify on residency immediately before playing.
That comes into play next year, if you don't play this year, you're on the 5 year plan. Welsh Willis, will have too wait another 2 years because of his injury, for example. No one's pointed this out but it is what the laws say
