Blues 2021
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The Blues have found a kindred spirit as they plan a long-term restoration of their regional development programme.
Ganellen Construction have confirmed their support as naming partner of the Blues Development teams and the soon-to-be-announced development programme.
Ganellen has been operating in New Zealand for 11 years. In that time, they have been associated with several high-profile projects in Christchurch as part of the regeneration of the city, and in Auckland central with high rise projects including Crest Apartments, Horizon Apartments, Eden View Apartments and Alexander Park.
The unique partnership is more than a straight commercial arrangement, with Ganellen sharing much of the same ethos as the Blues when it comes to developing talent.
“Our policy is to hire people based on shared values and passion and promote from within which builds a loyal, experienced team, while mentoring and coaching enhances our people-focussed culture,” said Ganellen Director, Mitch Blunden.
“When we are looking to bring young people into our business, all we are looking for is someone with passion and commitment.
“We can provide everything else to make them a leader in the construction industry.
“And that our approach can provide a positive opportunity in partnership with the Blues.”
Blues CEO Andrew Hore said a cornerstone of the future for the organisation is sustained long-term development.
The organisation has been engaged for several months with their provincial unions and stakeholders in revamping the development programme, which will be unveiled this month.
“When we met with Ganellen we realised there is a shared vision of mentoring young people and what success looks like in a values-based organisation,” he said.
“They came on board earlier this year but much of our programme and plans were curtailed with the effects of the coronavirus.
“The timing is now ideal to press-on and we are looking forward not just to their support, but the unique opportunity for us to share the expertise and experience from both Ganellen and the Blues to help nurture young people to realise their dreams.
“It is a unique partnership that is exciting for the Blues and our provincial unions.”
Several development players have been included in the enlarged Blues squad for pre-season training, including the Interim Training Contracted players.
The Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa competition gets underway on February 28 with Blues membership and details of the pre-season Footy Fest occasion at Eden Park at www.blues.rugby.
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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.
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Add Hamdahn Tuipulotu to the training squad list.
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@Tim from the Highlanders thread last week
@Steven-Harris said in Highlanders 2021:
keep an eye on Hamden Tuipulotu.., younger brother of .
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@Stargazer Leni Apisai
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@Stargazer I'm keeping a list in this post:
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I hope Apisai is fifth in the pecking order too.
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@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.
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@KiwiMurph Yeah, Tolai is a better player, but Apisai would be quite handy if he could throw.
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@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.
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@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.
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The other factor in Tele'a's favour is Blues have Canes first up - which means Laumape - Laumape destroyed Plummer the last time both teams played - Tele'a should offer more in defense.
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ignoring the hyperbole headline, alot seems to be being made of this guy, I'll admit I only watched him in the M10 Cup last year, but I didnt see anything that made me go wow!
He looked handy, but nothing to what he is being talked up?
Isnt he the kid who was running the Sky cables in 2019? Cool story, and be great if he did make the cut, but heaping the pressure much?
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@KiwiMurph to be fair I don't think it would of mattered who was in front of Laumape that day. He was running over everyone in that mood.
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@taniwharugby His performance in the Shield game vs a full strength Canterbury was certainly 'wow' worthy.
There were current ABs all over the field that day and he was magnificent.
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BTW, Niuia and Vikena are recovering from injuries, and Parsons is absent, so Eklund and Tolai are the hookers heading into the season, with Apisai as backup.
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OK, who is our most dedicated stalker?
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:
@Tim I think the Ferner closest to the venue should be nominated.
That's how I got appointed the fern's serial killer. Seemed to work.
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@KiwiMurph And we call out Blake Gibson for his injuries haha
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@Daffy-Jaffy that's a pretty poor article.
MacDonald has already mentioned JRK as a possible fullback option which this article doesn't touch on at all.
No mention of Faiane's injury.
No mention of Jacob Pierce as a lock option.
No mention of the injuries/unavailabilities at hooker.
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