Blues 2021
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@Tim yea I think he signed a 2 year deal. Can confirm Vikena
is signed as well on a draft contract. Not sure if 100% true but apparently Alama Ieremias approached Tom Coventry/Blues about somehow 'un'contracting Vikena for some reason. One of the many reasons why he's (AI) offside with some of the players.
Also - I believe AJ Lam has agreed to terms with the Blues (2 year deal). -
@KiwiMurph that's harsh. I thought he was good for the Blues this year.
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph that's harsh. I thought he was good for the Blues this year.
I agree. Eklund should be the Blues starting hooker. I would personally prefer it if Parsons retired with his concussion problems and moved into media where I find him really enjoyable.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:
@Canes4life said in Blues 2021:
@KiwiMurph that's harsh. I thought he was good for the Blues this year.
I agree. Eklund should be the Blues starting hooker. I would personally prefer it if Parsons retired with his concussion problems and moved into media where I find him really enjoyable.
He's really good, I enjoy that rugbypass podcast as you get a better look at what might be going on, and he's pretty fair in his assessments. The older guys (Marshall etc) are too far from the current style of play to be able to offer that type of analysis.
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@KiwiMurph yeah I admittedly have been fairly harsh on the guy as a player but his role with Rugby Pass has suited him well. I really enjoyed the story about him on the All Blacks bus.
How long does he have left on his contract?
I wonder if another team has their sights on Eklund, apart from the Canes who are obviously well resourced in that area.
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@Nogusta At only 19 years old is Vikena's "draft contract" like the wtg contract or some kind of apprentiship deal? If so that would still allow 3 full squad choices (Parsons, Niuia, then either Ekland or Tolai?). After training full time with All Black front rowers for two seasons Vikena should then be primed and ready to replace Parsons for 2022. Maybe Ieremia had him in his sights for Moana Pasifika 2022?
Pleased with the Lam signing. If they did not pick him up they would surely have been playing against him. I guess he is in for Hyland though he is also useful in the centres. The Blues only carried 4 specialist midfeilders last season and Tele'a was injured for most of it, so they they need to replace Marchant and pick an extra to back up at 12 for Faiane so they don't run him into the ground again. Tamati Tua trained with the team this year and is playing well right now but my concern with him is he seems to be forever injured. Would be great to get Michael Little back from Japan (his brother has had some good moments for Harbour this season). The more I see of Plummer at 10 the more I think he may be best suited to 12. I also like James Tofa from the Turbos as a midfield option, he covers most backline positions and kicks goals. I imagine the Canes will pick him up if they have space for a utility. I think he has been in their development team. I had wondered previously if Inga Finau was lured north by Auckland/Blues with the idea of pushing for Marcant's Blues spot. However he has not had enough game time to push his case. I think only the one start against Harbour. Jack Heighton was promoted to full Blues squad member last season when Tele'a was injured but never played. I noticed he played 12 for Harbour recently but i've honestly never seen him play so can't comment on his potential or best position. -
@Daffy-Jaffy Plummer looks like the go at 12 to play backupto Faiane. Not a huge fan of him at 12 as he looks completely lost there defensively which is understandable as he has barely played there in his life, but yeah, it takes a while to learn the position and he has a lot to work on if he's to succeed there.
I'd rther we signed a specialist backup 12 personally.
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@Daffy-Jaffy yeah Tua is showing a bit more maturity in games this year, he has plenty of pace, and is a good prospect, but I'd be surprised if he goes more than a WTG/Dev at this point.
He is still only 22 so be good if he gets a shot to develop further.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2021:
@Nogusta At only 19 years old is Vikena's "draft contract" like the wtg contract or some kind of apprentiship deal? If so that would still allow 3 full squad choices (Parsons, Niuia, then either Ekland or Tolai?). After training full time with All Black front rowers for two seasons Vikena should then be primed and ready to replace Parsons for 2022. Maybe Ieremia had him in his sights for Moana Pasifika 2022?
I also like James Tofa from the Turbos as a midfield option, he covers most backline positions and kicks goals. I imagine the Canes will pick him up if they have space for a utility. I think he has been in their development team.I wasn’t aware that he was the would be great pick up for the Canes very much in a Laumape mould with hard running I must admit haven’t seen him kick goals.
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The squad is looking pretty full - I thought that Lolagi Visinia might be in line for a return to the Blues, but maybe not enough room
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Blues apparently have signed Taranaki wing Jacob Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens on a three-year deal. Not sure if it's three years of full contract or first year as development and last two on full.
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@Number-10 nice! He might be with 7s year 1?
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@Number-10 Here is an interesting Stuff read about him - He signed a 3 year deal with the Eels in 2017.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/122858986/mitre-10-cup-rising-stars-jacob-ratumaitavukikneepkens-laps-up-ranfurly-shield-win -
FFS the Blues don't need any more outside back talent.
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@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2021:
FFS the Blues don't need any more outside back talent.
Injuries happen. Got to have depth.
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@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2021:
FFS the Blues don't need any more outside back talent.
Well from the sounds of @Daffy-Jaffy's article signing a contract doesn't confirm he'll turn up at any rate.
Must admit I've been slightly disappointed with him in the Magpies v Naki matches - by disappointed I mean happy.
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So with Tucker gone and the following signed, we might have Carroll, Riedlinger-Kapa, and Choat up for the final loose forward spot.
Gibson
Hunt
Papalii
Robinson
Sotutu
Ioane -
@Tim Last season they carried 5 locks and 8 loosies. So presuming they keep that balance and that Hunt replaces Lamborn and Darry - Tucker, that means both Carrol and W.K's spots should be available. They seemed to like Carrols efforts after his late inclusion last season. He often covered 6/lock on the bench and even started at 6 vs the Canes I think. Papalii's preference for playing 7 should leave a spot for W-K, or another blindside. Unless they now see Papalii as a 6. That leaves Choat unlucky, WTG or elsewhere. He deserves a spot somewhere though. Of course Lamborn could also still be in contention for a 7/6 spot?
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Had it confirmed to me last night that Zarn Sullivan has been signed by the Blues ,.
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@Daffy-Jaffy I would actually have Choat ahead of Gibson , gets more turnovers and is less injury prone ..
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@Steven-Harris pleased to hear that. Another Papamoa boy made good
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@Steven-Harris Could be the starting fullback next season.
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@African-Monkey I am thinking that as well, got the best kicking game of any of the other options not to mention as seen last night , he really can knock them over from a fair way out if required to kick for goal ..
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@Steven-Harris Yup, and we also don't really have many options there with Perofeta being the only other option I can think of and he's also very injury prone. As you said, he has a huge kick and seems good under the high ball.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@Tim that is some loose forward
trioEdit: group.Amazing how with decent governance, decent administration and decent coaching players suddenly are interested in playing for Auckland!
It's way more a case of decent results and chance at results. Players these days want titles or finals on their Cvs for value.
All those things can add to results but then you can also have all of those and if you just can't quite get results it can stall or you can be undesirable. See the Chiefs. Governance and admin still good, one the world's best coaches but it hasn't gelled and will now take a while before they are back to having players knocking the door down.
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With two FB spots sorted, we probably need one more FB option. Narawa? Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens?
Josh Moorby, Caleb Makene and Josh McKay could be other options to bring in.
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@Dice I always thought McKay would be worth a punt. Doesn't seem to be any rumours of us getting any outside backs?
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Daffy Jaffyreplied to African Monkey on 29 Nov 2020, 06:39 last edited by Daffy Jaffy 29 Nov 2020, 07:04
@African-Monkey AJ Lam and Jacob Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens have been reported on here as signed. Perofeta, Sullivan and Narawa should cover fullback pretty effectively. One or two Midfield backups for Faiane, Ioane and Tele'a will be interesting with no obvious standout options in the region now that Tua is unavailable.
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Stargazerreplied to Steven Harris on 29 Nov 2020, 06:42 last edited by Stargazer 29 Nov 2020, 06:43
@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2021:
Had it confirmed to me last night that Zarn Sullivan has been signed by the Blues ,.
Good to see another Napier boy getting a SR contract.
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Funny how since Blues have ditched Hanks they have suddenly started making signings that make sense.
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@Stargazer that's bloody good news. They are going well as a unit.
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@Stargazer Rangi is clearly on a box or step.
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A sign of the times when a prop is taller than backs and a loose forward.
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@Nepia said in Blues 2021:
@Stargazer Rangi is clearly on a box or step.
If he is, he has the shortest and most comical shins I have ever seen.
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Time to take a stab at the squad, based on some players possibly being signed early on (e.g. Choat missing out):
Props
Tu'inukuafe
Hodgman
N Mayhew
O Tu'ungafasi
Laulala
RenataHookers
Parsons
Eklund
Niuia (may be replaced by Tolai until recovered from injury)Locks
Tuipulotu
Pierce
Goodhue
Cowley-Tuioti
DarryLoose forwards
Gibson
Hunt
Papalii
Robinson
Sotutu
A Ioane
Riedlinger-KapaHalfbacks
Nock
Christie
Ruru1st Five Eighths
Black
Perofeta
Plummer
HeightonMidfield
Faiane
T Tele'a
R Ioane
TBCOutside Backs
Clarke (may be absent for Olympics Sevens)
M Telea
Narawa
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
SullivanTei Walden may be available for a midfield pick, provided he has recovered from his achilles tendon (?) injury. AJ Lam can cover centre, and possibly Clarke too. Would prefer to see Choat in the loose forwards.
38 players, looks like we had more last year due to cover for Clarke and Barrett, which included Marchant. Also had 8 loose forwards rather than 7, so maybe room for Choat yet.
Out:
Lindenmuth
Mafileo
Carroll
Lamborn
Tucker
Barrett
Marchent
Hyland
Duffie
PageIn:
N Mayhew
Laulala
Darry
Hunt
TBC (midfield)
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
SullivanAuckland - 8 forwards, 8 backs, 16 total
North Harbour - 6 forwards, 1 back, 7 total
Northland - 2 forwards, 1 back, 3 total
Counties - 2
BOP - 3
Ta$man - 3
Canterbury - 1
Taranaki - 2 -
Match XXIII
Big decision over fullback, maybe right wing, but that's about it. Expect plenty of rotation in the forwards
1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Laulala
4 Tuipulotu
5 Pierce
6 A Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu9 Nock (MacDonald may favour Christie though)
10 Black
11 Clarke
12 Faiane
13 R Ioane
14 M Telea
15 Sullivan (tight contest with Perofeta)16 Parsons
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Cowley-Tuioti/Goodhue
20 Robinson/Gibson/Hunt
21 Christie
22 Plummer
23 T Tele'aWith A Ioane showing he can attack a lineout at test level, there should be a lot of good options on either side of the lineout throw.
Interestingly/sadly, there's only three players in that 23 from the Auckland team that played in the NPC final, and only one in the starting 15.
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