Blues 2021

[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.

[KiwiMurph]

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.

[Daffy Jaffy]

'I couldn't see myself ever going back': How New Zealand Rugby nearly lost its next big star to the NRL

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens hardly let the ink on his final high school exam dry before his professional rugby career took off, but it could have taken a drastically different turn had an NRL club had its way.

[taniwharugby]

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?

[Canes4life]

@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.

[KiwiMurph]

@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.

[Tim]

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.

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Niuia is quite the foodbill eh....

[Tim]

OK, who is our most dedicated stalker?

[Stargazer]

@Tim I think the Ferner closest to the venue should be nominated.

[Snowy]

@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.