Blues 2021

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:

Has anyone read anywhere for how many seasons Hunt has signed with the Blues?

Herald is reporting 2 years.

One test All Blacks loose forward Dillon Hunt is returning home after switching from the Highlanders to the Blues for the next two years.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth My guess would be either Lamborn is returning to his U.S. club or they dropped Riedlinger-Kapa. With Papalii wanting to specialize at 7 Lamborn can cover 6 where he plays for the U.S. Would be a bit tough on Riedlinger-Kapa who hasn't had a chance to prove himself as 6, 8, lock cover and at 22 y/o might be a better investment than Lamborn at 29.

[Dice]

Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

[Dice]

@Daffy-Jaffy Wasn't Riedlinger-Kapa on a WTG contract? If no one else is willing to sign him to a full contract, we might be able to keep again with another WTG contract. I hope we prioritize him over Aaron Carroll.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Dice said in Blues 2021:

Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

you're right...probably wasted money...call it off?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Dice He was on a full contract this season after being first on apprentiship then wtg in previous 2 seasons , so has been a project. Was injured pre covid then did not get a chance to play after. They seemed to prefer Carroll on the bench after his good contributions in South Africa. I also wonder who Darry is replacing? Tucker or Carroll?

[Nepia]

@Dice said in Blues 2021:

Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

Who do you think you are ... Ta$man?

[Tim]

@Nepia We still want Havili back.

[Bones]

Well fuck. Blues loosies are officially fucken scary.

[Tim]

@Bones Best ever depth of any club in professional rugby history.

[Bones]

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Bones Best ever depth of any club in professional rugby history.

Gibson is the bestest everer openside in the history of rugby and he won't even get a look in!

[Tim]

Will certainly be interesting to watch Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa in the NPC. The heat is on. I wonder if Choat or Niko Jones will take a contract elsewhere to get game time? I'm surprised that Ta$man hasn't poached them yet.

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim With Papalii at Counties-Manukau and Gibson made of glass there should be plenty of game time going around for 7s....

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Meant at Super Rugby level.

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@KiwiMurph Meant at Super Rugby level.

Choat I could understand. Niko needs to establish himself at Mitre 10 Cup level first.

[Stargazer]

Umaga extends his coaching stay with Blues coaching team

Blues defence coach Tana Umaga has extended his stay at the franchise until the end of the 2021 Super Rugby season.

This brings Umaga into line with the rest of the Blues coaching group of head coach Leon MacDonald, forwards coach Tom Coventry and backs/skills coach Daniel Halangahu.

[nzzp]

@Stargazer that wouldn't have got multiple 'likes' a few years ago. He's gone really well in his current role I think.

[nzzp]

Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

the list:
Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

[pukunui]

@nzzp said in Blues 2020:

Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

the list:
Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

You would think Red Robinson would have gone pretty close if he wasn’t injured too.
Any word on him? Is he out of itm cup this season?

[Crucial]

@nzzp said in Blues 2020:

Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

the list:
Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

Papalii is now Counties not Auckland. Idiots announced it wrong