Blues 2021

[African Monkey]

I'd assume that Renata will be gone if Mayhew signs?

[Steven Harris]

@African-Monkey correct ..Mayhew has been impressing many..the strange nature of the season saw many super teams re sign many in their their rosters unknowing where COVID would take us ..so with most of the squads having filled 80% of their rosters .

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris On the radio last week Parsons was speaking as though Renata would be there next year (praising him along with the 4 all black props he gets to scrum with next season). Mayhew is mostly a loosehead isn't he? Maybe he replaces Lindenmuth?

[Bovidae]

I was just going to say what @Daffy-Jaffy said re: Mayhew and Lindenmuth.

[Daffy Jaffy]

When Darry was signed I guessed he was replacing either Aaron Carroll or James Tucker. If Pierce is not returning maybe they are both returning? Caroll contributed well off the bench this year but is more of a flanker option for me at 1.93m. I was looking forward to having two 2.03m plus locks in the squad (Darry, Pierce). Not sure that Darry is quite ready to start at super level from what i've seen for Canterbury. Would not mind Pierce going if they were maybe signing Jack Whetton.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy ok everyone, hold the phone , Just did an interview with Jacob Pierce post match Northland v Harbour which I have posted on NZ Sport Radio Facebook site ..he confirmed to me he has signed for 2021 season with the Blues , but only one year .

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris Nice.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris Excellent - so either Carroll or Tucker are gone for Darry. Or if they keep either of them as a loose forward/lock option possibly Reidlinger-Kapa going? Which would be a shame as I like R-K's promise.

[KiwiMurph]

Phew!

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy totally agree about WRK..just so many across the squads filled unfortunately

[Frank]

Alex Hodgman can scrum eh.

[KiwiMurph]

I'm a fan of WRK's game but he looks a bit small to be honest.

[Tim]

The forwards we now know are signed for next year:

Props:

Tu'inukuafe
Hodgman
Tu'ungafasi
Laulala

Hookers:

Parsons

Locks:

Tuipulotu
Pearce
Goodhue
Cowley-Tuioti
Darry

Gibson
Hunt
Papalii
Robinson
Sotutu
Ioane

That leaves 2 props, 2 hookers, and 2 loose forwards.

Mayhew, Renata, Eklund, Tolai, Choat, and one other. Perhaps Carroll, Riedlinger-Kapa, and Tucker competing for that last spot?

[cgrant]

Maybe McElroy (NH) for the Development Squad. He is physically huge and his scrummaging looks good as we could see against Canterbury and Northland.

[Steven Harris]

@cgrant according to John Mayhew senior , Nic was having a meeting with the blues this week .

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris The only problem I have with Mayhew's likely signing is - when you have 4 All Black props already why sign a soon to be 31 year old rather than develop a younger player with potential eg: Jarrod Adams.

[Bones]

@Daffy-Jaffy maybe they think he'd be better off elsewhere where he'll get game time. With someone who's been there done that, you know you are at least getting someone who knows the ropes and can easily step in on the rare occasion they're required.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy only a meeting at this stage, but to be fair , Harbour have have the best scrum stats in the Mitre 10 cup..but I see your point in terms of development..i reckons Adams would get a wider training squad contract and when you think about it, he’s would be any injury away from joining the main group.

[mikey07]

@Steven-Harris I cant believe he doesn’t have a full contract you think a team like the Canes would jump to get him instead of sticking with midget locks.

[mikey07]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2021:

@Daffy-Jaffy only a meeting at this stage, but to be fair , Harbour have have the best scrum stats in the Mitre 10 Cup..

I heard Ken Laban say Wellington did but after yesterday’s performance I know doubt it.