Blues 2021
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@daffy-jaffy did he go to aus with the blues? I thought I saw him in a blues social media post when they were in aus.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2021:
so long lads, and thanks for the great memories. Stoked they can leave on a high
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Openside flanker Gibson, meanwhile, is heading to another New Zealand franchise, having been forced out of the matchday 23 by the likes of Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu.
“We’re generally pretty full,” MacDonald said regarding the Blues roster for next season. “Maybe one or two to go.”
“There’s been a lot of decisions about where do we fit everybody,” added Blues chief executive Andrew Hore. “Hence the Blake’s and that of this world [leaving]. Second row … with [Cowley-Tuioti] leaving.
“Also, there’s a lot of young kids that are coming through … We’ll hopefully get that balance right now and that’s something the organisation wants to work on, is making sure we get that balance right between young and old, getting that experience and leadership across the board.””
First five Otere Black one of four players to part ways with the Blues following Super Rugby Trans-Tasman win
Four long-term stalwarts of the Blues have finished their careers with the Auckland franchise following Saturday night's 23-15 win over the Highlanders.
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@tim hopefully the likes of a Corey Evans comes through in the Bunnings NPC , that 2nd five position looks even thinner with TJ Fainne making a move ..Tamati Tua has still not been spotted from rehab ..
I did message Scott Gregory to congratulate him on his season and I did mention Auckland is a lot closer to Whangarei 😂 -
@steven-harris so is Narawa
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I assume that Plummer will get first crack at 12? No idea where RTS will play, maybe he'll be looked at for 12 as well?
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@african-monkey said in Blues 2021:
No idea where RTS will play, maybe he'll be looked at for 12 as well?
IIRC, that's where the AB coaches were interested in him playing.
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@steven-harris Theres nowhere for him to really go sadly, with every team fairly settled at 9 (except us). Overseas might be his only option?
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@tim Hmmm so we might see him there a fair bit for Auckland then?
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Barrett's inclusion at No 10 will only enhance the Blues attacking potency and decision-making and while history suggests Tuivasa-Sheck's transition will take time to bed in, especially given he will bounce between positions, his professionalism is sure to shine.
"Roger played midfield at school and plays in the outside backs in league," MacDonald said. "We'd be foolish to make a call on that now he hasn't even donned a rugby jersey yet. We've got to get him out of a Warriors jersey first.
"We're hoping to see him a little bit in provincial rugby later on in the year. They'll ease him back in and we share a building with Auckland so we'll be around to help navigate through the learning of the game. It's really just feeling it out.
"We've got the ability to change positions. Rieko Ioane can play midfield and wing. Roger could play on the wing, midfield or fullback. It's really what works out in the end."
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@tim also this
Zarn Sullivan's breakout campaign with the Blues finishes with a flourish as the young fullback draws Beauden Barrett comparisons
Before the Super Rugby Aotearoa season kicked off, many fans were curious how Blues coach Leon MacDonald would utilise new utility back Zarn Sullivan. The 20-year-old eventually played a major role in the Blues' first title win in eighteen years.
Code-hopper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also joining the outfit next season and could slot in across the backline but MacDonald is confident that Sullivan will continue to develop in the No 15 jersey and that 2021 is just the beginning for the youngster. "We'll keep him at the back at the moment," the coach said. "We've obviously got Beaudie there and Oates is going but Stephen Perofeta is playing good rugby and you saw Harry [Plummer] step up to the mark so we're pretty blessed with some good depth at 10. "And at the moment, I think, just nailing one job at the moment. And I think he's got the attributes to become a very good 15. I see the skillset's perfect and he just keeps growing in confidence and understanding, there's no reason why he couldn't become a 15 full-time." -
Take the 2021 squad and eliminate temporary replacements and leaving players, then take out Niuia and keep Choat and Hunt, and add Barrett and RTS, and drop Macilai. That gives 35 players, with a lock and a hooker needed.
Corey Evans joined the squad in SR-TT, so he will be the midfielder, and RTS will be the utility back. Riccitelli is rumoured to be heading north, so hooker will be him or Tolai. Dalziel trains with the Blues, but Josh Beehre might be preferred at lock. Ekuasi and Cam Church could push for loose forward spots. Another outside back such as Heem might go.
This is my speculative squad of 38:
Alex Hodgman
Nepo Laulala
James Lay
Marcel Renata
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Ofa Tu'ungafasiLeni Apisai (short-term)
Kurt Eklund
Ray Niuia
Luteru Tolai (short-term)
Soane Vikena
Ricky RiccitelliGerard Cowley-Tuioti
Sam Darry
Josh Goodhue
Jacob Pierce
Patrick Tuipulotu
Josh BeehreAdrian Choat (short-term)
Blake Gibson
Dillon Hunt (did not play)
Dalton Papalii
Taine Plumtree
Tom Robinson
Hoskins Sotutu
Akira IoaneFinlay Christie
Sam Nock
Jonathan RuruOtere Black
Stephen Perofeta
Harry Plummer
Beauden BarrettTJ Faiane
Bryce Heem
Rieko Ioane
Tanielu Teleʻa
Corey EvansRoger Tuivasa-Sheck
Caleb Clarke
AJ Lam
Jone Macilai-Tori (did not play)
Emoni Narawa
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Mark Telea
Zarn Sullivan -
This post is deleted!
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@african-monkey said in Blues 2021:
@steven-harris Theres nowhere for him to really go sadly, with every team fairly settled at 9 (except us). Overseas might be his only option?
Moana Pasifika?
'They've seen a lot of pain': MacDonald reveals personal significance of Blues' title
