Blues 2021

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer I think they simply want to win - and they see Chocobares as well ahead of the other options available.

I think, too, that 1-2 players isn't a big deal. There are at least 9 other 12 positions in SR franchises for players to show their wares. I've no issue with developing him - ultimately it'll benefit SANZAAR and therefore the ABs.

message to up and coming 12s -- lift your game!

[taniwharugby]

@nzzp or dont get injured

[nzzp]

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:

@nzzp or dont get injured

Blues 12s don't get injured do they?

TJF?

SBW?

...

[KiwiMurph]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300174559/super-rugby-leon-macdonald-eyes-teen-jacob-ratumaitavukikneepkens-for-fullback-role

[Stargazer]

Leon MacDonald lifts lid on Dan Carter's playing future with the Blues

Dan Carter will not return for the Blues next season, despite coach Leon MacDonald's protestations, but could still feature for the Auckland franchise behind the scenes.

[macmanus]

Argentinian journalist.
(

)

[macmanus]

Chocobares will play for Blues

[Machpants]

Damn my Spanish is bad. I thought it said ' blues rugby team shout the pumas heaps of chocolates and teddy bears. True love from Reiko Ioane! ❤️'

[KiwiMurph]

Nice.

[nzzp]

@macmanus said in Blues 2021:

Chocobares will play for Blues

the fundraisers are easy to get him there, eh

[Kirwan]

@macmanus Awesome twitter translate;

"It is a fact.

Santiago Chocobares is going to be a player of
@BluesRugbyTeam

Specially requested by Leon Mac Donald., The Head Coach.

They have been following him for a while.

They want it and require it in the middle of the court with Rieko Ioane.

Awesome."

[OleOleOle]

@Kirwan they had me at el Head Coach...makes him sound like an underworld figure

[Tim]

Interesting titbit from Bryn Hall on Rugbypass's podcast - Akira Ioane is a big part of the Blues leadership group now.

[Winger]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer I don't think they are looking for a player to develop - they are looking for a starter as Faiane will be out injured for the first few weeks.

Chocobares is only 21 years old and relatively inexperienced; he isn't the finished product (far from that) and needs further development. I see no reason why a team in NZ rugby would want to further develop a foreign eligible player. There are players in NZ to pick from. If they want an experienced player for other youngsters to learn from, he's not the guy.

Whats the rules on this now? The Canes tried to sign an Aussie eligible first 5 many moons back and it was declined bu NZR

I was pissed off then and felt their should be leeway for a SR team to do this within reason. It adds interest to the competition

[African Monkey]

@Tim So he should be as well with all his experience.

[Tim]

Leon MacDonald is on the Conversation tonight on @skysportnz channel 51 at 7:30pm!

Tune in to catch up on everything you need to know about our 2021 season!

[Tim]

Anyone heard anything more about signing Chocobarres or another midfielder?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Leon MacDonald is on the Conversation tonight on @skysportnz channel 51 at 7:30pm

• it was McMillan last week. MacDonald is tonight.

[KiwiMurph]

[gt12]

For those who dont want to watch the whole thing, its mostly about his story, but with respect to the Blues for this year, he mentions that Akira is going well, hints that he has good youngsters at FB (Zarn Sullivan is then mentioned later under ‘players to watch’), and hints a bit about the way that different teams have different cultures (talking about ‘hard’ feedback at the Blues which is a bit harder to get going versus other teams).