Blues 2021

[taniwharugby]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2021:

Eklund got suspended for throwing Reece

he only did what everyone else wanted to do

[Tim]

So now we know who the 3rd hooker is, and Corey Evans probably comes into the midfield, and Macilai probably drops out.

Questions:

Who replaces GCT at lock? Josh Beehre or someone more experienced?

Does Heem return for another year? Does another outside back or midfielder leave (Tele'a or Narawa)?

Do they try and sign Chocobares again?

Do Plumtree and Choat make it back into the loose forwards? Does Hunt retire? Can another loose forward like Ekuasi or Church force their way in?

Any change in the halfbacks?

[Nogusta]

@tim Josiah Maraku was with the team the whole year. He was with the team on Saturday night. Not sure of his contractual status. Maybe he signs on fulltime as another midfielder?

[KiwiMurph]

@tim

Choat would replace Gibson i'd say.

Manu Paea could replace Nock if Nock is looking elsewhere and Paea has a good NPC.

[taniwharugby]

@tim Isi Manu is someone to keep an eye on, expect he could play 6 but has been primarily at 8 for OBM and assume that is where he will play for Northland, looks to have great potential.

[Bovidae]

@kirwan said in Blues 2021:

He's fine as a third choice hooker.

I doubt Riccitelli is moving to the Blues to be the third choice hooker, like he already is at the Canes. He will be expecting to play each week.

[Duluth]

@tim said in Blues 2021:

Who replaces GCT at lock? Josh Beehre or someone more experienced?

I hope its a development lock

Darry and Pierce should be ready to step up next year

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Kirwan]

@bovidae said in Blues 2021:

@kirwan said in Blues 2021:

He's fine as a third choice hooker.

I doubt Riccitelli is moving to the Blues to be the third choice hooker, like he already is at the Canes. He will be expecting to play each week.

He’s definitely behind Eklund, and IMO behind Vikena too. Am sure Leon wants competition for places so he’ll have to prove he’s better in the opportunities he does get

[Tim]

@bovidae Think the Canes wanted to make room for Thompson.

[Steven Harris]

@tim just got confirmation Sam Nock is heading to the Chiefs , when I first heard it did not make sense but now it does ..very very good source

[Tim]

@steven-harris Wonder if Enari is coming up to the Blues, or they are promoting Paea or Funaki? The young Waikato player, Cortez Ratima, is another possibility.

[cliff]

@steven-harris then probably to replace tahuriorangi or is Weber leaving?

[Steven Harris]

@tim good question , definitely an opportunity for a younger guy , what do you do with Ruru..?..I had heard the Blues were chasing Xavier Rowe

[Tim]

@steven-harris said in Blues 2021:

Ruru

Ruru is fine coming on with 10 to go, but you wouldn't want him starting or playing many more minutes than that. Just makes way too many mistakes, box kick not good enough, and farts around at ruck too much.

To give him his due, he was bloody good when he came on in the final.

[Steven Harris]

@cliff Weber’s NZ contract comes to end this year and at 30 years old it’s probably time to cash up ..

[Tim]

Also, Ruru's super fit, a University man, and hugely influential on Auckland's performances - he's probably an important part of squad leadership.

[Steven Harris]

@tim makes you wonder if Blake Gibson is off to the chiefs as well with Boshier on the move ..?

[Tim]

@steven-harris That was my thought, but Liam Napier said in the Herald today that he was going to the Hurricanes.

[Nogusta]

@tim 1 year deal with the Canes then sayonara