Blues 2021

[Tim]

How the Blues won a three-way tug-of-war to secure one of New Zealand's brightest young talents

With just seven weeks until a potential Super Rugby debut, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens opens up to RugbyPass about how he was at the centre of a tug-of-war between three Kiwi franchises.

[Tim]

Anyone wondering if Parsons is going to retire? Haven't seen him in any of the social media from the Blues preseason, and they have five other hookers in the wider squad.

[Tim]

Add Hamdahn Tuipulotu to the training squad list.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim from the Highlanders thread last week

@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2021:

keep an eye on Hamden Tuipulotu.., younger brother of .

[Stargazer]

@Tim Eklund, Niuia, Vikena, Tolai and ? Who's the fifth?

Edited: Never mind, just remembered Apisai is there.

[Tim]

@Stargazer Leni Apisai

[Tim]

@Stargazer I'm keeping a list in this post:

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/534480

[Stargazer]

@Tim I really hope Kereru-Symes is in a WTG. No doubt, the Canes have picked Thompson and the white powder snorter over him.

[KiwiMurph]

I hope Apisai is fifth in the pecking order too.

[Tim]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:

Kereru-Symes

Was he with the Blues for a while last year? I'll keep an eye out for him.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Yeah, Tolai is a better player, but Apisai would be quite handy if he could throw.

[Stargazer]

@Tim Yes, he replaced Parsons in the squad.
Parsons was full of praise for him when he was commentating one of the Magpies games. Rated him highly.

[Nogusta]

@Tim I saw Manu Paea in an earlier pic. I think someone on here mistook him for Taufa Funaki.
They look a bit alike.

[Tim]

@Nogusta He played for Marist this year?

[Nogusta]

@Tim Eden I think? Halfback originally from Otahuhu College then did last 2 years of his schooling at Rotorua Boys. NZ Schools in 2018 so may be one of this years ITC.

[KiwiMurph]

@Nogusta pretty highly rated isn't he?

[Bovidae]

@Nogusta said in Blues 2021:

@Tim Eden I think? Halfback originally from Otahuhu College then did last 2 years of his schooling at Rotorua Boys. NZ Schools in 2018 so may be one of this years ITC.

2019, so younger still. I watched both games live and thought he looked the better of the two halfbacks in the NZS team. The other was Max Hughes from CBHS.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Yeah, that's the guy.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Pretty sure Joel Cobb isnin one of those hill running pics. Also Meihana Grindley and Lini Ekuasi. Grindley and Ekuasi most likely ITCs?

[Tim]

@Duluth said in Blues 2021:

Tele'a would be my pick. The biggest question would be over his distribution.

Yeah, he seemed to really grow into the position by the end of the NPC. Strong runner, good lines.