Blues 2020
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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?
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@Daffy-Jaffy yep, hopefully the pro enviroment will add a few kegs to Caird slender looking frame, had also heard the Highlanders had been looking at Temo Mayanavanua, who would be a lock/loosie option too (if Selby-Ricketts contract torn up, they might go to him)
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:
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?
The GCT injury complicates things. Those names make sense.
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:
@Dice Clermont is my Top 14 team, too, and particularly Toeava has been playing really well for them, since he joined them a few years ago.
i'm really happy that lad finally got a consistent go at it. good on him.
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@mariner4life His versatility has been very valuable. He has played at 10, 12, 13 and 15 for Clermont.
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